Smackdown Review – 10.31.25

Hello friends, it’s been a very busy week in WWE and you can catch up thusly: Raw | NXT | Evolve | Hardy Halloween

It’s a big weekend for shows at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Tonight is the go-home for maybe the biggest modern Saturday Night’s Main Event they’ve ever put on, and so here are the details announcer-wise for tonight’s Smackdown. On match calls and analysis will be Michael Cole and Corey Graves, Mark Nash handles ring introductions, and Cathy Kelley will be covering backstage interviews and breaking news.

Then, Now, Forever….TOGETHER

Arrivals to the show include: Drew McIntyre, WWE Men’s Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill.

Highlights are shown of Cargill attacking WWE Women’s Undisputed Champion Tiffany Stratton on last week‘s show. Tiffany Stratton storms to the ring and calls out Cargill but here’s Smackdown GM Nick Aldis to point out that there cannot be any physicality tonight due to the medical clearance Stratton has received. Cargill comes storming out and Aldis immediately calls for Security, but Cargill says it’s all good and says she can wait til SNME. Stratton tries and fails to reach Cargill with Security holding her off, so she heads back to the ring and holds her belt aloft.

There’s a promo package for WWE Men’s US Champion Ilja Dragunov. Dragunov makes his entrance for tonight’s Open Challenge as we go to commercials.

R-Truth is dressed as Santa Claus and he hands out some candy to The Motor City Machine Guns while wishing them “Merry Christmas”. After Truth leaves, here’s Solo Sikoa to insult the Guns. After Sikoa calls Chris Sabin “Harry Potter” they decide to see who’s best between the Guns and the MFT’s. Sure.

WWE Men’s US Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov (C) vs Nathan Frazer

Tommaso Ciampa comes down to say he should be the one to face Dragunov, but since Frazer rolled into the ring a half-second earlier than Ciampa did, he gets the shot. Ciampa bitterly leaves.

Frazier hits a big knee to start, but Dragunov fights out of the corner and smashes Frazer around. Frazer responds with an enziguri and drives Dragunov to the floor. Frazer hits a tope suicida and then fires Dragunov back in. Frazer misses a top rope move and runs into a big chop from Dragunov. Dragunov hits another chop and covers for two. Dragunov drives knees into Frazer’s head and then runs him into a corner. Frazer snaps off a neckbreaker but Dragunov responds with a big boot that sends Frazer into the announce desk. Dragunov hits a German on the floor as we go to commercials.

Dragunov hits a couple of Germans when the show returns. Frazer hits a springboard inverted DDT and a running Shooting Star press before covering for two. They slug it out and Frazer drops Dragunov with a superkick. Dragunov responds with chops and a gutwrench suplex before covering for two. Dragunov hits a big kneelift but he misses a charge and ends up on the floor. Frazer tries a springboard but Dragunov catches him with a right hand. Dragunov ascends but Frazer slips the senton attempt. Frazer ascends and hits a frog splash for two. We go to commercials.

Dragunov is dropping elbows but Frazer responds with a flurry that ends with a boot to Dragunov’s ear. Frazer ascends and finally hits a rana. Frazer hits a tope con hilo and a shotgun dropkick. Frazer runs Dragunov back in and hits the Phoenix Splash for two. Frazer goes to ground and pound and then ascends again. Dragunov springs up and smacks Frazer in the back a couple of times. Dragunov snaps off a GNARLY German from the second rope that leaves Graves speechless because of how Frazer lands. Dragunov covers for two. Both guys are down but Dragunov is in better shape and hits a powerbomb followed by the H-Bomb. Dragunov covers and gets three.

I hope Frazer is okay, because they went home shortly after the German. It was a truly scary bump. Dragunov has his detractors but the crowd loves the guy and he really does wrestle in an intense style, which I appreciate. Frazer does everything a million miles an hour because he doesn’t know any other way, but he did sell an asskicking a bit more tonight and from a “tv match” perspective, this was very good in my view. 3.5*

Winner and STILL WWE Men’s US Champion – Ilja Dragunov (H-Bomb)

Post-match sees Dragunov pick up Frazer for a hug as a show of respect. Frazer gets jumped by Tommaso Ciampa who then points directly at Dragunov. That should be very good when it happens, I would suggest. We go to commercials.

A fight broke out between Dragunov, DIY and FrAxiom after the commercials started. Once it’s broken up, Tama Tonga has retrieved Dragunov’s title and does his “yeah yeah yeah” chant before Dragunov snatches the belt back. Well, there’s a whole bunch of challengers all set up in a NEAT LITTLE PACKAGE.

Kit Wilson vs Carmelo Hayes

I don’t like Wilson’s chances here. Wilson starts with a flurry but Hayes quickly responds. Wilson thumbs Hayes eye, and hits a big running elbow that drops Hayes. Wilson hits a forearm and then stomps on Hayes neck. Wilson hits twist of fate-style DDT and covers for two. Hayes fires up and hits a springboard clothesline. Hayes hits a rana and a twisting facebuster gets two. Hayes hits tope and runs Wilson back in and here’s The Miz to run Hayes into the post. Wilson hits a big elbow and covers for two. Hayes hits the First 48 on a charging Wilson and gets three. As the ref holds up Hayes hand the Miz charges in and hits the Skull Crushing Finale on Hayes.

Just an angle to continues Hayes-Miz surrounding a match. A complete nothing-burger of a match but I guess it was good to see Wilson actually get to wrestle and not just get bullied backstage. Moving on. 1.5*

Winner – Carmelo Hayes (First 48)

Here’s Cathy Kelley with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Kelley asks about the Kabuki Warriors and Bliss says her and Flair aren’t hard to find. Flair calls Nia Jax’s current shenanigans “classic Gemini behavior” as Kelley wishes Bliss luck against Jax. Nia Jax makes her entrance as we go to commercials.

Sami Zayn is chatting with Nick Aldis. Zayn wants to be in the MCMG’s corner tonight when they face the MFT’s, but Zayn isn’t cleared medically and agrees to sit it out. Cody Rhodes slides in and Zayn wishes him luck tomorrow night. Aldis asks if Cody had anything to do with the attack on Jacob Fatu, and Rhodes says he didn’t as he likes Jacob. Aldis shows the contract he’ll be signing and Rhodes says he’ll see Aldis in the ring.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Alexa Bliss vs Nia Jax

Charlotte accompanies Bliss to the ring as Graves complains about Bliss and Flair being fake friends. Jax charges Bliss at the bell and goes to work with splashes. Bliss fires up and smacks Jax in the head, but Jax trucks Bliss when she charges off the ropes. Jax hits a headbutt but misses an elbow drop. Jax fires Bliss into a ring post but misses a hip attack. Bliss drops Jax to the floor but Jax catches Bliss and drops her on the barricade. Jax bows to the crowd as we go to commercials.

Jax has been in control during commercials and she hits a splash and a hip attack. Jax misses another hip attack and Bliss fires up. Jax trucks Bliss who’s helpfully caught by Flair. Bliss hits a high boot and a rana. Bliss kicks at Jax and then hits a shotgun dropkick. Bliss hits a cross-body and gets two. Bliss hits a weird sort of electric chair looking thing but Jax snaps off a Samoan Drop for two. Bliss goes to the floor and Jax pushes Flair away from helping her. Jax wants the Annihilator so Flair goes to the apron to distract. Bliss hits another shotgun dropkick and stacks up Jax for three.

Hey man, don’t push the Queen, okay? The daughter of the Dirtiest Player in the Game will always respond in kind. This match was like every other Bliss-Jax match you’ve ever seen where Jax just tosses Alexa around and there’s some short flurries and then Bliss somehow wins out of nowhere. I don’t know if this is the start of some weird heel turn but the crowd seems to be digging them as babyfaces so who knows. You don’t have to go out of your way to find this one online if you didn’t see it, is what I’m saying. 2*

Winner – Alexa Bliss (Shotgun dropkick, stack pin)

Graves says Jax coming up short in a “handicap match” might mean retribution.

Here’s Rey Fenix to confront The MFT’s and say he wants to fight Talla Tonga. Sikoa says it’s on for next week and Fenix slaps Tonga. Sikoa urges Tonga to only focus on tonight and they’ll handle Fenix next week.

The new Wrestlemania 42 commercial is shown. I do enjoy the choice of “Back in the Saddle” for the end bumper. We go to other commercials.

Damien Priest says he doesn’t hate Aleister Black but because Black made it personal now it’s very personal for Priest. Priest says not even the devil himself can stop what’s going to happen.

Graves and Cole run down the SNME card. An IC triple threat, both Men’s world titles, and the Women’s Undisputed Championship is better than some PLE’s have been, quite frankly.

A limping Tiffany Stratton is bickering with Nick Aldis when they’re confronted by Kiana James and WWE Women’s US Champion Giulia. James and Giulia insult Stratton, and Stratton yells and leaves. Here’s Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre to see about Green getting a match for Giulia’s title next week. Giulia is cool with it so Aldis reluctantly makes the match for next week. Giulia and James leave, and then Green and Fyre are terrified as Nikki Cross has suddenly appeared behind them. Well, they packed a lot in to that segment.

The MFT’s make their entrance as we go to commercials.

They’ve been hyping up the Utah-Cincinnati college football game throughout the entire show since they’re in Salt Lake tomorrow, and the mascots had a “match” that the Utah mascot predictably won by dropping the “People’s Wing”. Sure.

The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs The MFT’s (JC Mateo and Tama Tonga)

Highlights are shown of the Guns defeating Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa for the tag titles in October of 2024. Mateo and Shelley start and Mateo immediately takes the advantage. Mateo misses a charge and Shelley fires off some chops. Sabin tags in and he and Shelley hit a double-team dropkick-DDT as Sabin covers Mateo for two. Tonga tags in and he and Mateo pound away at Sabin. Shelley tags in and they get the advantage when they dump both opponents to the floor. The Guns hit stereo topes and Sabin runs Tonga back in. Tonga fires up but Sabin cuts it off with a knee lift. The Guns hit some double-team stuff as we go to commercials.

Tonga has a rear chinlock on Shelley when the show returns. Mateo tags in and Shelley fights his way out of the corner after dropping Mateo with a Flatliner. Sabin tags in and hits a missile dropkick on Tonga and then a tornado DDT on Mateo. Sabin ascends and hits a huge spinning tornado DDT on Tonga for two. Shelley tags in and clotheslines Tonga to the floor. Shelley hits a baseball slide and Sabin hits a tope on both MFT’s. The Guns hit stereo kicks on a charging Talla Tonga and then drop Tama Tonga with some kicks as well. Solo Sikoa goes to the apron to distract the ref as Tonga Loa pushes Shelley from the top rope to the floor. Tama Tonga hits the Cutthroat on Sabin and covers for three.

The Guns lose a lot now, and listen, I know they’re making more money than they probably ever have and so I won’t complain too much, but yeesh at their booking. The MFT’s clearly have a date with the Wyatts coming up so the result wasn’t really too much in doubt but still, you hope for the best some times. At any rate, this was just okay as the heat sequence happened during commercials and then they pretty much sprinted to the finish after the break. 2.5*

Winners – The MFT’s (Tama Tonga Cutthroat on Sabin)

Post-match sees the MFT’s continue to destroy the Guns as Sikoa barks at both of them. Here’s Rey Fenix charging down to smash Talla Tonga with a some kicks. Tonga snaps off a big boot on Fenix and here’s Shinsuke Nakamura to join the fray. Nakamura wipes out a bunch of guys but gets caught by a Talla Tonga chokeslam. The MFT’s stand tall to end the segment.

Nick Aldis meets with Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says he has no issues with the contract, but Aldis is still worried about the signing. McIntyre tells him to relax as we go to commercials.

Graves and Cole run down next week’s Smackdown card from Greenville, SC.

Nick Aldis is in the ring for the contract signing and he introduces Cody Rhodes first. Rhodes gets a hell of a pop and he’s looking pretty swank in his orange suit and black tie combo. Drew McIntyre is out next and he takes a seat at the table as Aldis stands in between him and Rhodes. McIntyre says he can’t sign the contract so Cody snatches it up and signs it. McIntyre says the contract is lopsided and won’t sign it. Aldis says it’s a standard contract and McIntyre says he won’t sign it due to the incredible amount of advantages the champion has. Aldis says if he doesn’t sign it there are tons of guys in the back who will take his place. McIntyre says okay, get one of them and goes to leave. Rhodes tells McIntyre to sit down, so he comes back to the table. Rhodes says McIntyre wants stipulations and he’s fine with that. Rhodes says he won’t take the easy way out so he agrees that he loses the title if he gets DQ’d or counted out. Aldis is reluctant but McIntyre signs it with the verbals agreed to.

McIntyre says he does things the right way and says he’s the real “American Dream” as an immigrant who became a citizen. Rhodes says he’s glad McIntyre brings up their parallel paths because they love the business in the same way and were willing to go out on their own to be finally brought back to WWE. Rhodes says he grew balls and walked, though, while McIntyre just got fired. Rhodes says “nice guys used to finish last but then I showed up”. McIntyre promises that the crowd will turn on Rhodes just like they did on him. McIntyre brings up Rhodes’s kids and that’s enough to set Rhodes off. Rhodes misses a belt shot as McIntyre bails to the floor. Rhodes pulls Aldis out of the way as McIntyre wallops Rhodes with a Claymore. McIntyre snatches up the belt and puts it on a chair before powerbombing Rhodes through the table they used to sign the contract. McIntyre kneels and barks at Rhodes about taking the title tomorrow night and swears he’ll do whatever it takes.

The credits roll and we’re out.

The Open Challenge, predictably, was the best match on the show, and I’m fine with that. Everything else was either moving pieces into place for tomorrow night or next week’s Smackdown, and I’m mostly fine with that as well. None of the other matches were what I’d call “memorable” or anything but at least the two hours breezed by. Thumbs in the middle tonight because I’m tired of Hayes-Miz and especially tired of Black-Priest. We’ll see what happens with this dust-up between the women’s tag champs and Nia Jax since she’ll be facing Charlotte next week. Anyway, it’s a LOADED SNME tomorrow night and that’s looking like a cool event.

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting. Enjoy your Saturdays and especially the big show tonight.