Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returning, Randy Orton addressing the WWE Universe, Rhea Ripley discussing Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab henious attack, and Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre to appear. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returns
- Randy Orton addresses the WWE Universe
- Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre to appear
- What’s next for Rhea Ripley after Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab henious attack
WWE SmackDown Results:
He Hears Voices…
Randy Orton asks the Saint Louis crowd what they want to talk about. Orton notes that he was raised here and still calls ST. Louis home. The next time they see him, he’s going to have number 15 firmly around his waist. Orton wants to make sure everyone knows he isn’t doing this for the fans, he’s doing it for his family. Orton proclaims Cody Rhodes is going home at WrestleMania empty-handed. It isn’t personable between them. To Rhodes, he said he could listen to the voices. The voices are talking to Rhodes, too. Stephanie McMahon told the truth; Cody Rhodes can’t beat him. Rhodes isn’t a killer. What Rhodes has awoken in him, there is no putting to bed.
Read More: Hulk Hogan Omitted From 2026 Oscars In Memoriam Segment
Cody Rhodes’ music hits. Rhodes hits the ring. Orton and Rhodes brawl. Pat McAfee appears, wearing an RKO shirt. McAfee kicks Rhodes below the belt. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and officials hit the ring. McAfee berates everyone and announces he has been on the phone with Orton this whole time. McAfee meanders on for minutes about hating what this company has turned into and how this isn’t what wrestling should be. Two five-foot-five guys going 30 minutes when Randy Orton is around makes no sense. The business that Rhodes is leading is terrible. Orton is going to save the business. Orton whispers something to Rhodes before rolling out.
Grade: D-
Did anyone else think that was Buff Bagwell who came in the ring? This was not only poorly constructed, but it was also poorly executed. Orton doesn’t need a mouthpiece. No one cares how McAfee feels about the business. This would have only worked if it were Jim Cornette or someone who can actually generate heat (he’s also someone fans know has that view about the current product). Rhodes got booed this entire segment.
This is Orton’s hometown, and the WWE Universe has never seen McAfee as a heel. He’s always been someone who gets cheered (besides the stint in NXT, which most of the people in the crowd probably have no frame of reference for. This feud was going perfectly fine. At this point, this writer feels bad for Rhodes. Why can’t Rhodes have a WrestleMania build without non-wrestlers being involved?
Michin w/B-Fab vs. Rhea Ripley
As Ripley is beating down Michin, WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill walks to the ring. While Ripley is distracted, Michin sends Ripley flying with a German suplex. After the break, Michin is working over Ripley. Ripley fires up and lands a Razor’s Edge. Running knee by Ripley. Michin kicks out. Ripley sets up an electric chair drop. Michin counters with a nasty poison rana. Eat d’Feet by Michin. Ripley kicks out. Powerbomb by Michin. Ripley counters Michin’s piledriver with a back body drop. Ripley locks Michin in the Prism Trap. Michin taps out.
Winner- Rhea Ripley
After the match, B-Fab attacks Ripley. Ripley floors her with a head butt. Ripley stares down Cargill. Michin chop blocks Ripley. Everyone beats down Ripley. IYO SKY makes the save.
Grade: C+
Solid match. Predictable afterbirth.
Backstage, Tama Tonga tells Solo Sikoa to give up the lanturn. Sikoa tells. Tonga, since he has so much to say, Tonga can go fight Uncle Howdy for the lantern tonight.
Uncle Howdy vs. Tama Tonga
After some back and forth, Howdy locks in the Mandible Claw. Sikoa walks down the ramp with the lantern. Tonga escapes, but gets distracted by Sikoa getting into it with the referee. Howdy drops Tonga with Sister Abigail for the win.
Winner- Uncle Howdy
After the match, Tonga yells at Sikoa. Sikoa says he’s was trying to help. Tonga says that the lantern has been nothing but trouble. Tonga takes the lantern and puts it on the apron. Sikoa goes for it, but Tonga holds him back. Howdy grabs the lantern and walks away.
Grade: C
… Is this over now? Please tell us it’s over.
Whoop Dat!
Williams says he’s out here to celebrate his first match at WrestleMania. Since it’s WrestleMania and we are bringing out all the stars, he brought out Lil Yachty. Williams asks Yachty to corner him at WrestleMania. At WrestleMania, Williams says he ain’t tanking no smack from the gingerbread man. Williams says he’s going to tell the truck at WrestleMania to hit Sami Zayn’s pyro after he beats him for the championship. Sami Zayn’s pryo actually goes off. Zayn walks down to the ring and says it’s not about the pyro. For Zayn, it’s about what he can do in the ring. None of the bells and whistles will help Williams at WrestleMania. Zayn promises to humble Williams at WrestleMania.Williams says the Ginger Snap is angry.
The only reason Zayn is champion or going to WrestleMania is because of Williams. Carmelo Hayes’ music hits. Hayes power walks to the ring. Hayes says he’s going to spin the block on Williams and get his receipt. When it comes to Zayn, Hayes says it doesn’t sit right how last week went down. Hayes carried SmackDown on his back. He’s not going to sit back and watch Zayn carry the ball over the one-yard line. These people don’t want Zayn, they want Melo. Hayes demands that Zayn do the right thing and give him his rematch. Zayn apologizes, but says Hayes is going to have to wait until after WrestleMania. Williams tells Zayn to give Hayes a chance. Zayn finally agrees. Zayn asks if they are good and puts out his hand for a handshake. Hayes says, ” Yup, ” and walks off. Williams makes a joke, and Zayn clotheslines him over the top.
Grade: B
Good segment. If we are lucky, this match ends in a screwy finish, and we get a triple threat at WrestleMania.
Aleister Black w/Zelina vs. Matt Cardona
Cardona’s arm is a target throughout the match. Cardona manages to fire up, until a distraction from Vega leads to Cardona eating the ring apron after a leg sweep. After the break, Cardona fires up. Black ends Cardona’s night with a Black Mass.
Winner- Aleister Black
Grade: C+
Nothing against Cardona, but there has to be more for Black to do.
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
Flair and Bliss are in control early. Bliss lands a diving DDT on Valkyria. Flair and Bliss work over Valkyria. After the break, Bayley gets the tag and clears the ring. Flair traps Valkyria in the Figure Eight. Bayley breaks it up with a diving elbow drop. Bliss and Flair hit stereo Natural Selections for the win.
Winners- Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
After the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend lay everyone out.
Grade: C+
Fun match. Yet another predictable finish/afterbirth.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson
United States Championship Match: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes
Trick Williams and Yachty are at the commentary desk for the match. After a series of counters, Hayes lands a dropkick. Hayes unloads on Zayn in the corner. Zayn catches Hayes with a clothesline. Fadeaway by Hayes. Hayes lands a dive, but Tweaks his knee in the process. Hayes surprises Zayn with Dirty Diana. Hayes favors his knee. Zayn blocks the First 48. Zayn tries an exploder, but Hayes reverses it into a pin. Zayn kicks out. Hayes walks into an exploder from Zayn. Zayn calls for the Helluva Kick. Hayes meets Zayn with a superkick. Frogsplash by Hayes. Hayes dives off the top, but Zayn moves. Hayes lands on his feet, but hurts his knee in the process. The referee is checking on Hayes, Zayn cheapshots Hayes with the Helluva Kick. Zayn pins Hayes.
Winner and STILL United States Champion, Sami Zayn!
After the break, Williams attacks Zayn. Yachty holds Zayn in place while Williams hits the Trick Shot.
Grade: C+
This one wasn’t anywhere near as good as the last match. They tried to get Williams some heat after the match, but that just ended with the crowd cheering for Williams. If they don’t do a double turn, they are setting Zayn up to get booed out of the building at WrestleMania.
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