Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Rey Fenix battling The MFTs Talla Tonga, WWE US Championship Open Challenge continues with Ilja Dragunov defending, Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair battling Nia Jax, Chelsea Green challenging Women’s United States Championship Giulia, Jade Cargill returns as the new WWE Women’s Champion, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes answers what’s next. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- Rey Fenix vs. Talla Tonga
- WWE US Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. TBA
- Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax
- Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) vs. Chelsea Green
- What’s Next for Cody Rhodes
- Jade Cargill Returns as the New WWE Women’s Champion
WWE SmackDown Results:
Cody Rhodes Returns
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes asks the crowd what they want to talk about. Rhodes notes his reluctance to pull the trigger in the past, and it has cost him. The crowd cheers. Rhodes says he wasn’t going to let that happen against Drew McIntyre. Rhodes says he’s done with McIntyre; he’s moving on. Tonight, Rhodes wants to do something different. Tonight he’s going to sit with the people and watch the show.
Together, they will decide who is next up or has a shot at his title. Aleister Black and Zelina interrupt. Black wants a shot. Rhodes takes off his tie and steps up to Black, but Zelina steps in his way. Zelina says Rhodes’ nightmare starts now and slaps Rhodes in the face. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis walks out on the ramp and books Black vs. Rhodes in tonight’s main event.
Grade: C+
Not a terrible segment, but Black sounds terrible on the mic tonight. Zelina needs to do all the talking until Black gets his big boy voice back. That was rough.
Tommaso Ciampa wants a shot at Ilja Dragunov’s championship. Dragunov say’s he’ll defend the championship, but against Johnny Gargano. A pissed off Ciampa storms off and tells Gargano to being home the damn championship.
United States Championship Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae
After a distraction from Ciampa, Gargano attacks Dragunov from behind. Dragunov suplexes Gargano all over the ring. Dragunov eventually retains after an H-Bomb.
Winner and STILL United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov!
Grade: C+
This was just a standard TV match, but this writer is slightly confused by the logic here. Why would Dragunov duck Ciampa? Why not just beat him and get it over with? It’s an odd way to position this potential feud.
Read More: Sami Zayn Believes His WWE United States Title Run Accomplished Two Important Goals
Backstage, after R-Truth tries to give Aldis his balls to get a shot at a spot in John Cena’s last match. Sami Zayn walks in and begs Aldis to let him help Rey Fenix tonight. Aldis tells Zayn he’s not cleared and he has to leave.
The New Champ is Here
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill says she is putting the locker room on notice. Cargill is that b*tch.
Grade: A+
This is how you use Jade. Perfect.
As Jade is walking up the ramp, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss make their way down the ramp. Cargill and Flair have a staredown.
Backstage, Cargill tries to bully B-Fab. Cargill tells B-Fab to meet her in the ring next week.
Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax
Flair lands a quick flurry. Jax sends Flair into the corner. Flair attempts the Flair flop, but Jax crushes her with a running bodyblock mid-flip. Jax works over Flair. Flair fires up and chop blocks Jax. Front flip lariat by Flair. Flair steps over Jax and lands a moonsault. Jax kicks out. Jax escapes the Figure Eight and counters a big boot with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Flair avoids Jax’s finish. Flair gets a near fall after Jax is hung up in the ropes and Flair lands a leaping stomp. Outside the ring, Lash Legend grabs Bliss and chokes her out. In the confusion, Jax crushes Flair with the Annihilator.
Winner- Nia Jax
Grade: B-
Ok. Very excited to see Lash Legend on SmackDown officially for the second time (she was already made part of the SmackDown roster months ago, but whatever), but having her with Jax is strange. Don’t they hate each other? If a partnership with Jax is what it takes to get Legend on TV, this writer will take it.
Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) w/Kiana James vs. Chelsea Green w/Alba Fyre
Green’s mixed tag team championship partner NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is in the crowd for the match. Green slaps Giulia. Giulia suplexes Green all over the ring. Giulia blasts Green with Arrivadarche. Green kicks out. James and Fyre get into it outside the ring. In the confusion, Green rolls up Giulia with her feet on the ropes for the win.
Winner and NEW Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green!
After the match, Green celebrates with Page and Fyre.
Grade: C+
We all love Green, but this was dumb. Really dumb. Yes, Page and Green are great together. That doesn’t mean they both need to be “Champions of North America.” This writer isn’t a Guilia Stan, but they gave her literally nothing to work with after giving her the US title. Make it make sense?
Rey Fenix vs. Talla Tonga
Tonga dominates most of the match. Fenix fires up and lands a flurry of kicks. Fenix tries a dive, but gets caught and powerbombed through the mat. Chokeslam by Tonga. Tonga pins Fenix.
Winner- Tally Tonga
The MFTs attack Fenix. Sami Zayn hits the ring with a chair. Tonga and Co run away.
Grade: C+
… Sigh. Fenix need to just go to Raw at this point.
Cody Rhodes vs. Aleister Black w/Zelina
Rhodes and Black trade hip tosses. Gordbuster by Rhodes. Black counters Rhodes’ drop down uppercut with an armbar. Black boots Rhodes off the apron. After the break, Black works over Rhodes. Black runs into a powerslam from Rhodes. Rhodes lands a disaster kick. Black kicks out. Black escapes Crossroads and blasts Rhodes with a PK. Rhodes kicks out.
Cody Cutter by Rhodes. Black kicks out. After a series of reversals, both men land big boots simultaneously. While both men are down, Drew McIntyre appears out of nowhere and Claymores the referee. This match is over. In the aftermath, Black and McIntyre attack Rhodes. Damian Priest makes the save. GM Aldis walks out on the stage and tells McIntyre he’s had it. McIntyre is suspended indefinitely.
Grade: B
I’m sorry, but: HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA. The image of McIntyre flying out of nowhere and kicking the referee of all people’s head off was hysterical.
One thing this writer will say: it’s nice to see Rhodes facing some different competition. The champion shouldn’t wrestle every week, but when they do, it should be special. This was a great match, bell to bell.
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