Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in a Three Stages of Hell match, The Wyatt Sicks taking on The MFTs in a gigantic 8-man tag match, Trick Williams making his SmackDown in-ring debut against Rey Fenix, and so much more!
This afternoon’s WWE SmackDown will take place at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
WWE SmackDown Card
The announced card is as follows:
- Three Stages of Hell Match for the WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- The Wyatt Sicks vs. The MFTs
- Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix
- More to be announced
WWE SmackDown Results:
This week’s episode of SmackDown kicks off with WWE’s top stars entering the building for tonight’s show. In an interesting note, Cody Rhodes was heavily booed when shown on screen, likely giving us a good idea of what to expect in tonight’s main event.
The Viper is in Germany
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring to speak with the WWE Universe. Orton says it feels good to be back in the ring and welcomes everyone to SmackDown. Before he could continue, he was interrupted by Trick Williams.
Williams says every week a star comes out and says it’s going to be their year, but he doesn’t care about all that. Trick says a new star has arrived, and it’s him, and every country in the world loves them some Trick Willy. Williams says this isn’t 2006, it’s 2026, let’s talk about it.
Randy Orton says you want to talk about it, let’s talk about it. Orton reminds Williams that he’s a 14-time World Champion. Orton puts over Williams but says there’s one thing he’s not sure about because he chose to come out and interrupt him.
This leaves Randy questioning if Trick has the brains. Williams says he’s out there for one reason and one reason only: to brush up against one of the greats. Williams says he’s the only one who has the guts to step up and do what needs to be done. Orton says he’s not sure what they are teaching down in NXT, but you never turn your back on The Viper. If he does it again, he’s not going to whoop that Trick, he’s going to beat that ass.
Williams knocks the microphone out of Orton’s hand, and The Viper strikes, hitting him with the ring apron DDT. Orton prepares for an RKO but is jumped from behind by The Miz, who quickly eats an RKO for his troubles.
Let’s get to the action…
As Randy Orton leaves, he crosses paths with Rey Fenix, who is on his way to the ring to take on Trick Williams. That match is next!
Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix
- The finish of the match saw Trick Williams reverse Rey Fenix’s rollup with one of his own and a handful of tights to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Trick Williams
Grade: B+
A good debut for Trick Williams. WWE has shown, based on who they have him interact with, that they see something in the former NXT Champion. However, I’m really not sure what the direction is for Rey Fenix. I really feel like it’s just time to unite The Lucha Bros in WWE. There’s no need to have them on separate brands. Let’s pull the trigger and get this done sooner rather than later.
No fear from Giulia
Byron Saxton is backstage with Kiana James and Women’s United States Champion Giulia, who says the title is back where it belongs. James says Giulia is an asset that the women’s division hasn’t accounted for, and soon she will dominate the entire industry. Giulia puts over her opponent, Alexa Bliss, tonight before saying she will make an example of her later tonight.
Damian Priest is ready to move on from Aleister Black
A video package airs recapping last week’s Ambulance match between Damian Priest and Aleister Black.
They cut to Bryon Saxton and Damian Priest backstage. Priest says he’s hurting, but he won the war over Aleister Black. Priest says he sees a lot of people calling their shots at the WWE Championship, so he wants to join that party, as it could lead him to facing someone he really respects, Cody Rhodes.
He’s interrupted by Drew McIntyre. Priest says he might beat Rhodes tonight, but if he does, that means they will meet in the ring again, and asks him to remind everyone what he did to them the last time they were in the ring together.
Priest leaves, and Saxton asks for McIntyre’s thoughts about his match later tonight. McIntyre says emotions are running high, but they aren’t his…they are Cody’s. McIntyre reveals he stole the watch that Dusty Rhodes had to pawn when he was broke off Cody’s bus. Drew believes Rhodes will lose his cool and get disqualified in the first match, and he’ll be one victory away from being the next WWE Champion.
Alexa Bliss is on her own tonight
Alexa Bliss is on the phone backstage talking to Charlotte Flair, who isn’t there tonight because she’s sick. Bliss says she didn’t know about her title match until today and tells her to rest up. She’s interrupted by Nia Jax and Lash Legend who try to plant seeds of distrust between Flair and Bliss.
Jax says the second it was about Bliss, Flair had to make it about herself. Bliss says Jax is saying this because it’s something she would do, and tells Legend to drop Jax before she turns on her.
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia (c) (w/ Kiana James) vs. Alexa Bliss
- The finish of the match saw outside interference from Kiana James, Lash Legend, and Nia Jax. This led to Giulia hitting Alexa Bliss with the Northern Lights bomb to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: And still WWE Women’s United States Champion, Giulia
After the match, Jax and Legend continued their beatdown on Alexa Bliss.
Grade: B+
This had the potential to be way better than it was. It was still very good, but the constant outside interference really took away from the matchup itself. It was clearly by design, but it’s disappointing, as these two would have been able to tear the house down otherwise.
Jordynne Grace signs with SmackDown
WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is backstage with Jordynne Grace, welcoming her as the latest member of the SmackDown roster. They are interrupted by Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre, who complain to Aldis. Aldis sets up a match between Grace and Fyre later this evening.
Kit Wilson approaches Aldis and asks for another opponent after what happened with Matt Cardona last week. Aldis shuts his office door on Kit as he complains about everything being toxic.
Everyone is after the American Nightmare
Matt Cardona is backstage with Byron Saxton, talking about his return to WWE. Cardona approaches Cody Rhodes, and after they hug, he lets him know he’s back to win that WWE Championship. Rhodes says when he’s done with Drew, they’ll talk. The crowd once again boos Rhodes when he appears on screen.
The Wyatt Sicks (w/ Nikki Cross) vs. The MFTs
- The finish of the match saw Uncle Howdy get distracted by Solo Sikoa grabbing the lantern on the outside. This led to Tama Tonga hitting Howdy with the Cutthroat to score the pinfall victory for his team.
Winners: The MFTs
After the match, The MFTs leave with the lantern, as The Wyatt Sicks just all sit in the ring looking stupid instead of going after them.
Grade: B-
This was fine. The finish was dumb, and the aftermath was even dumber. If that lantern is so important to the Wyatt Sicks, they shouldn’t have been sitting around in the ring feeling sorry for themselves. They should have gone after The MFTs immediately to get it back.
Ilja Dragunov will not face Carmelo Hayes later tonight
WWE United States Champion Carmelo Hayes runs into The Miz backstage. Miz says he just talked to Nick Aldis and they are going to figure out a way to get another WWE Title opportunity, so when he does that and beats Hayes, he’ll be a three-time Grand Slam Champion.
Hayes says he’s going to have another open challenge tonight, so he’ll see him out there. Miz immediately makes excuses about not answering the challenge tonight because he got attacked by Randy Orton earlier tonight. Hayes says there’s always next week and makes Miz think Orton is behind him, which scares him. Melo says if he needs another week to prepare, just say that.
Hayes runs into Ilja Dragunov and says he’s a man of his word and will host an open challenge tonight, and he’d love Dragunov to accept his challenge tonight. Dragunov says they will fight again in a different time and place, but for now, he’s here to talk to Aldis about something different and enters his office.
Alba Fyre (w/ Chelsea Green) vs. Jordynne Grace
- The finish of the match saw Jordynne Grace hit Alba Fyre with Beast Mode (a Torture Rack Bomb) to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Jordynne Grace
After the match, Jade Cargill meets Grace in the aisleway and says Grace thinks she’s special, but she’s on her show now and sends Grace a warning as the crowd chants for All Elite Wrestling. Come on, Germany. She was there ages ago. Let it go.
Grade: B
Definitely a showcase match for Jordynne Grace. It probably would have been even better if it had been given more time. Grace’s time in NXT was shockingly overwhelming, so hopefully she has a much better run on the main roster because that’s what she deserves.
Sami Zayn wants to be WWE Champion
Byron Saxton is backstage with Sami Zayn, who says a small part of him wants Drew McIntyre to win because he’s someone he’s never been able to beat and would love to finally get that win for the WWE Championship. Zayn says Cody is a great Champion and he’s pulling for him. Zayn says if he has to pick, he’s going with Rhodes and says no matter who wins, he’ll be standing there on the other side.
Backstage, Johnny Garango dresses up like Axiom to attack Nathan Fraiser and prevent him from answering the open challenge.
Shinsuke Nakamura answers Carmelo Hayes’ United States Title Open Challenge.
WWE United States Championship: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
- The finish of the match saw Carmelo Hayes hit Shinsuke Nakamura with Nothing But Net to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: And still WWE United States Champion, Carmelo Hayes
After the match, Hayes and Nakamura shake hands in a sign of respect.
Grade: A
Yeah, this match ruled. Melo and Nakamura told an awesome story during this matchup. It’s really great watching Hayes perform as a babyface in the ring. He’s incredibly good at it. This was easily my favorite thing on the show so far.
Germany really hates Cody Rhodes
Byron Saxton speaks with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and he gets booed yet again. Rhodes says Drew McIntyre stealing his dad’s watch and invoking Dusty’s name is lazy. Rhodes says he will win tonight, and his focus will turn to the Royal Rumble and then WrestleMania.
No rest for the WWE Champion
Nick Aldis makes an announcement backstage that next week on SmackDown, there will be four one-on-one matches. The winners of these matches will move on to compete in a fatal four-way at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the winner will face either Cody Rhodes or Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble.
The four matches next week are as follows:
- Randy Orton vs. The Miz
- Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
- Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
- Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
The Three Stages of Hell match for the WWE Championship is up next!
Three Stages of Hell Match for the WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Stage one, a standard match: Drew McIntyre hits Cody Rhodes low behind the referee’s back, followed by a Claymore to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Stage two, falls count anywhere: Cody Rhodes hits Drew McIntyre with a Cross Rhodes through the commentary table to score the pinfall victory.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Stage three, a Steel Cage match: Drew McIntyre was set to escape the cage when Jacob Fatu returned and stopped him. Fatu enters the cage and beats up everyone, allowing McIntyre to escape through the door and win the title.
Winner: And NEW WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre!
Grade: A
Rhodes attacks Fatu as McIntyre celebrates with the title as WWE SmackDown goes off the air.
WWE SmackDown Review:
This was a very fun episode of SmackDown. It really feels like over the past two weeks, WWE has figured out the three-hour formula for this show. Hopefully, they can keep this up all through WrestleMania season.
The main event was pretty great. I’m so glad they didn’t screw McIntyre over yet again. It was now or never for that man. I’m so happy to see them pay him his respects and give him another title reign in front of a live audience. Well deserved and long overdue!
Grade: A-
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What did you think of tonight’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.
