Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Ilja Dragunov continuing the United States Championship Open Challenge, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton in action against Kiana James, Shinsuke Nakamura teams up with Rey Fenix to take on The MFTs, and appearances from WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre.
Tonight’s SmackDown will take place at the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
WWE SmackDown Card
The announced card is as follows:
- Ilja Dragunov’s WWE United States Championship Open Challenge
- WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James
- Shinsuke Nakamura and Rey Fenix vs. The MFTs
- Appearances from WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre
WWE SmackDown Results:
This week’s episode of SmackDown kicks off with a recap of last week’s show.
We go backstage and see WWE Champion Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring. He stops when he’s greeted by Jimmy Uso. Rhodes and Uso speak about what happened to Jacob Fatu last week, and Uso says he’s here to talk to Nick Aldis about what happened to his cousin.
Rhodes asks Jimmy how things are going between him and his brother Jey. Jimmy says Cody saw what happened, and Cody says he gets it, as he also has a brother in the business that’s doing what’s best for him. Rhodes suggests that Jimmy do what’s best for him. Jimmy says he appreciates it as he leaves to go see Aldis, as Rhodes heads to the ring to talk to the WWE Universe. Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring and asks Arizona what they want to talk about.
Rhodes says they can talk about Drew McIntyre and admits he did something uncharacteristic of him last week when he cracked the WWE Championship alongside his head last week. Rhodes questions if he needs to apologize for that. The crowd tells him no.
Drew McIntyre appears in the crowd and says he doesn’t want Rhodes’ apology or excuses and gets on the WWE Universe for cheering Cody and booing him. McIntyre doesn’t understand why the crowd is cheering Cody and booing him. McIntyre says the WWE Universe is complicit in his crimes. Drew questions whether the fans are brainwashed by Cody’s propaganda.
Who attacked Jacob Fatu last week?
McIntyre makes his way to ringside and stands on the commentary table. Drew says he’s been screwed over so many times, it’s time for him to finish his story next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event. McIntyre insists he is innocent and he didn’t attack Jacob Fatu last week.
Cody Rhodes cuts McIntyre off and says he knows he’s looking for a fight, and he’ll fight him right then and now. Before McIntyre can get in the ring, Jimmy Uso comes in from the crowd and launches himself off the barricade to attack McIntyre.
Security tries to separate the two men, but it takes a while before they’re successful in taking McIntyre through the crowd as Rhodes tries to calm Jimmy down at ringside. The MFTs make their way to the ring amidst the chaos as the opening contest is up next.
Jimmy Uso isn’t going away quietly…
As they come back from the commercial break, Drew McIntyre is screaming at Nick Aldis backstage, insisting that he is innocent and didn’t attack Jacob Fatu. Jimmy Uso comes in and attacks McIntyre again, as security once again has to separate the two men.
Tama Tonga and JC Mateo (w/ The MFTs) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rey Fenix
- The finish of the match saw Tama Tonga hit Rey Fenix with the Cutthroat to score the pinfall victory for his team.
Winners: Tama Tonga and JC Mateo
Grade: B
Fun tag match to kick off the show. I find it interesting that WWE is drawing inspiration from the Guerrillas of Destiny faction from New Japan to breathe new life into the MFTs. Hopefully, the company listens to what Tama Tonga has to say regarding this direction because no one would be more helpful in getting that gimmick across better than him. However, I’m not really sure Nakamura and Fenix need to be a tag team right now; hopefully, this was just a one-and-done.
Jimmy Uso doesn’t want to wrestle; he wants to fight
Jimmy Uso is backstage with Nick Aldis. Uso is very certain that Drew McIntyre attacked Jacob Fatu last week, and he’s looking for revenge. Aldis says he can give Jimmy a match with McIntyre tonight. Uso says he doesn’t want to wrestle; he wants to fight. Aldis says he’ll make some calls and make the match tonight, no disqualification. Jimmy is very excited bout that.
Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre approach Giulia backstage, proposing a merger of the two factions. Kiana James comes in and mocks them and basically says they aren’t interested and leaves. Green doesn’t get the hint and believes they just made a great step towards merging the two groups.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James (w/ Giulia)
- The finish of the match saw Tiffany Stratton hit Kiana James with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
After the match, Giulia attacks Stratton. This brings out a returning Jade Cargill, who took out both Giulia and Kiana James and sent them running. Cargill helps Stratton up to her feet and raises her hand before attacking Stratton and slamming her into the steel steps at ringside. Cargill tosses Stratton over the commentator’s table while security once again hit the ring to try and separate the two.
Jade stomps on Stratton’s leg, which laid on the steel steps, before looking at the WWE Women’s Championship and leaving.
Grade: B+
This was easily Kiana James’ best match in a long time. Tiffany Stratton really brought out the best in her, and hopefully, now the creative team will see James as more than just a mouthpiece for Giulia going forward. The Jade Cargill heel turn was long overdue, and it’s clear this is leading to her getting yet another title shot. At this point, it seems like it’s now or never for Cargill to wear gold in WWE, so I’m guessing it finally happens this time.
Who wants a shot at the title?
Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov run into each other backstage. Zayn puts Dragunov over and hypes him up for his United States Title Open Challenge; that match is next!
Back from commercial break, the crowd chants that Ilja deserves the title. Dragunov reflects on his last year rehabbing from his injury and admits that at some points he didn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but he never gave up. Dragunov proudly declares that he stands in front of the WWE Universe as a champion. Ilja says he must continue what Zayn did with the open challenge. Aleister Black answers Dragunov’s United States Championship open challenge.
WWE United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Aleister Black (w/ Zelina Vega)
- The finish of the match saw Damian Priest come out and distract Aleister Black, allowing Ilja Dragunov to hit Torpedo Moscow to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: And still WWE United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov!
After the match, Priest attacks Black, but before he can strike him with a steel chair on the commentary table, Zelina Vega jumps on his back, allowing Black to escape.
Grade: A-
Yeah, this match ruled. I’m really happy that WWE is choosing to continue the open challenge gimmick for the United States Title, as it’s been the best part of SmackDown in the last couple of months. Dragunov getting his first defense under his belt was a welcome sight, and they probably couldn’t have paired him with a better opponent than Black to get this reign started. I really enjoyed this one. My only gripe is that I wish Dragunov could have won the match clean and didn’t require Priest’s help to get the win. But that’s just me.
Melo wants to move on from The Miz
We get a video package of last week’s episode of SmackDown when Carmelo Hayes attacked The Miz before he could answer the United States Open Challenge.
Cathy Kelley is backstage with Carmelo Hayes, who says as far as he’s concerned with The Miz, they are even now. Hayes says he hears the people and knows it’s time to get back on track and show everyone why he is him.
Kit Wilson interrupts and runs down Hayes. Melo challenges him to a match for next week before walking away.
Everyone wants a shot at the United States Championship
Ilja Dragunov is walking through the backstage area. He’s stopped by Fraxiom, who both make it clear they’d love a shot at the United States Championship. Dragunov says the beauty of the open challenge is that it’s open to everyone and leaves.
This brings in DIY, who mock Fraxiom and make fun of Axiom’s mask. The segment ends with Tama Tonga getting in Fraxiom’s face and doing that weird noise thing he does before walking off. This was a very weird, overcrowded segment.
Back in the locker room, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair are talking about Bayley’s challenge on social media to come to RAW and defend the Women’s Tag Team Titles. They are interrupted by Nia Jax, who says Bliss is going to turn on Flair just like she turned on her. A match between Bliss and Jax is set for next week’s episode of SmackDown.
No disqualification: Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso
- The finish of the match saw Drew McIntyre hit Jimmy Uso with the Claymore to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Grade: B+
After the match, McIntyre continues his attack on Jimmy, choking him with a steel chair. Security tries to pull McIntyre off Uso, but to no avail. This brings out Cody Rhodes to assist, and he takes it to McIntyre. But once Rhodes turns his attention to check on Jimmy, he too becomes the victim of a Claymore kick, which sees McIntyre standing tall to end tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Review:
This was a very strong episode of SmackDown tonight. I feel like WWE is starting to find itself again as it pertains to their weekly Friday night show. We got a pretty strong build towards next weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, which on paper looks to be WWE’s biggest version of that show in recent years.
Tonight’s show delivered with a lot of strong matches and a very fun main event. It would be hard to watch tonight’s show as a fan and not be entertained.
Grade: B+
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What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown? What was your favorite match or segment? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
