Results
- Randy Orton def. The Miz (Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contendership Qualifying Match) (4:38)*
- Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair def. Giulia & Kiana James (8:27)
- Trick Williams def. Matt Cardona (Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contendership Qualifying Match) (8:51)
- Damian Priest def. Solo Sikoa (Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contendership Qualifying Match) (10:12)
- Carmelo Hayes def. Leon Slater (WWE United States Championship) (11:43) (Recommended)
- Jordynne Grace def. Chelsea Green (2:36)
- Sami Zayn def. Ilja Dragunov (Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contendership Qualifying Match) (12:27) (Recommended)
*Match started during commercials, official time not known
Drew McIntyre shuts door on Cody Rhodes rematch
Tonight’s episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown, a show from the OVO Wembley in London, England, opened with a welcoming of the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.
A group of six bagpipes appeared on-stage, performing “Scotland The Brave” before McIntyre’s theme hit. After an entrance full of pyro, McIntyre came to the ring and got on the mic. McIntyre is a heel but expectedly received a warm welcome from this London crowd.
“I prayed for this, and it happened,” McIntyre said, causing a “You deserve it” chant to break out.
McIntyre thanked the fans for support, then said: “Screw you … No seriously, screw you. When I got fired, where were you? You want to jump on the bandwagon now?”
McIntyre said nobody was there for him when The Bloodline or CM Punk were screwing him over. This finally started to make the London crowd give him the right reaction – I wasn’t convinced he would be able to turn this crowd, especially just after mentioning that he’s a British champ, but he did.
McIntyre turned his attention to Cody Rhodes, repeating the term “former champion” to rub salt in the wound about his recently-expired title reign. McIntyre revealed that he added a clause to the contract he signed when he returned last year: “Cody, there will be no rematch,” he said. The crowd cheered and so did I, because that feud had been overdone to death by this point. Seriously, we have seen enough McIntyre vs. Rhodes for now.
McIntyre’s promo was suddenly interrupted by Randy Orton, one of the eight men competing tonight for a spot in the upcoming #1 contenders four-way to face McIntyre. He was quick to make it clear that he didn’t come to the ring to congratulate the champ. Instead, he said that he has beaten him for a title before and isn’t afraid to do it again. McIntyre wisely took a step away from Orton after he heard “RKO” chants from the crowd.
Next to enter the scene was Jacob Fatu, the man who played a huge role in the McIntyre versus Rhodes match last week and attacked them both. Fatu hit the ring and immediately jumped the champ, sending him retreating to ringside. McIntyre threw Fatu into a ringpost, but he no-sold the move. They brawled backstage, leaving Orton in the ring by himself.
The Miz, who is facing Orton in the first match of the night as part of the Contendership tournament, slid into the ring and gave The Viper a Skull Crushing Finale. Their match is next. Solid opening promo from McIntyre, and I’m interested to see how this Fatu feud factors into current storylines, especially since he’s not included in the ongoing #1 contender tournament.
Randy Orton advances to #1 contender’s match
In the first of four #1 contenders qualifying matches tonight, Randy Orton battled with The Miz. As a reminder: The four men who win their qualifying matches tonight will go on to a fatal-four way #1 contenders match at Saturday Night’s Main Event later this month, determining who will meet Drew McIntyre for the title at the Royal Rumble.
The Miz had control to start due to his pre-match attack on Orton. The Viper started to battle back with a pair of clotheslines then a scoop powerslam. Orton tried for his trademark draping DDT, but Miz got out of the way.
The match went to ringside, where Orton scored a trio of side slams onto the commentary desk. Back in the ring, Orton connected with his draping DDT upon second attempt. He tried for an RKO, but Miz reversed it into a Skull Crushing Finale, giving him a near fall.
Orton escaped a roll-up pin attempt from Miz then caught him with an RKO, earning him the pinfall victory. Orton is one win away from a title shot. If you simulated 1,000 matches between these two, it would probably play out in this exact sequence each time. Not to say it’s a bad match, but it’s what you would expect.
Backstage, a stressed-out McIntyre was stopped by Ilja Dragunov, who claimed that he would be the one who gets a shot at his belt. McIntyre was a little more worried about Jacob Fatu: “Right now, I just don’t care. There’s a mentalist after me.”
Bliss & Flair score tag win but suffer in post-match attack
A promo from The Wyatt Sicks reminded us that they’re still feuding with Solo Sikoa’s MFTs.
Alexa Bliss asked Charlotte Flair if she called in sick to last week’s Smackdown because she was actually sick, or because of some other reason. Since Flair wasn’t there last week, nobody was there to save Bliss when she got jumped by Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Flair brushed off the accusations from Bliss. Jax and Legend attempted to stir the pot by telling Flair that the suspicion was typical behavior from Bliss, but Flair wasn’t taking the bait.
Tag action was next, with WWE Women’s United States Champion Giulia teaming with manager Kiana James to face Flair and Bliss. The heel duo were able to isolate Bliss through a commercial break, although she eventually broke out and gave Flair a hot tag.
Flair gave both James and Giulia a series of chops, then came running off the ropes with a clothesline to James. Flair went flying off the top with a crossbody, but James kicked out at two.
Flair tried to climb to the top for a moonsault, but Giulia prevented her from the ring apron. James hit a spinebuster then tagged in Giulia, who got a near fall after landing a knee to the head of Flair.
Bliss and James brawled at ringside as Giulia and Flair fought in the ring. James tagged in and came running off the ropes for a move, but ran into Bliss, who had also just tagged in, who hit her with a Sister Abigail for the pinfall win in eight minutes. This match had a lot of sloppy errors in it and worked at an awkward and slow pace at times, which unfortunately took away from it greatly.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax hit the ring for a post-match attack, taking out Bliss and Flair. Giulia got in the face of Legend and Jax, but was eventually held back by James.
Solo Sikoa, who stole the Wyatt Sicks’ lantern, said the group needs to put their tag titles on the line if they want it back.
Cody Rhodes plots out his road to another title shot
In his first appearance since losing the Undisputed WWE Championship, Cody Rhodes hit the ring for the next segment.
Rhodes wondered out loud whether he lost his title because he became too complacent, or because Drew McIntyre is just “that good.”
He mentioned that he is one of few wrestlers to go back-to-back with Royal Rumble wins, and that winning yet again is so unlikely because it’s such a major feat.
Rhodes said he likes to gamble, and “the best superpower you can have is to believe in yourself.” After name-dropping that he used to wrestle in London for Whatculture Pro Wrestling, “in a city that deserves a Wrestlemania,” (this part received a gigantic pop), Rhodes said he was here to make a big announcement.
Can’t get an automatic rematch with McIntyre? Fine, Rhodes thought. “We’ll do this the old way. I am officially declaring myself the first entrant in the 2026 Royal Rumble.”
Rhodes then put his attention to Jacob Fatu, who attacked him during his last week’s title match. He said Fatu has the biggest “receipt” coming his way – he can either come to collect it or the former champ will find him to deliver it.
Awesome promo from Rhodes here. No notes.
Trick Williams gets past Matt Cardona in qualifier tourney
The Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s qualifying matches continued in the next segment, with Smackdown rookie Trick Williams going head-to-head with veteran Matt Cardona. UFC fighter Michael “Venom” Page was seen jamming out at ringside to Williams’ theme.
Cardona was on a roll to start, sending Williams out of the ring then coming off the apron with a dropkick. Williams took control of the match during commercials and earned a two-count with a leg lariat after the show returned.
Cardona caught a leg kick from Williams and reversed it into a side slam, getting him back into the match. He put Williams in a corner of the ring for a ReBoot then followed it with a ZigZag, but Williams stayed in the bout with a kickout at two.
Cardona tried for a second ReBoot, but Williams slid out of the ring to dodge the Signature move. However, Cardona came flying through the ropes with a dropkick to Williams before tossing him back in the ring.
Williams caught Cardona with a Trick Kick, but it didn’t end the match yet. He tried for a Uranage, but Cardona countered it mid-air into a DDT (this looked neat, but the crowd didn’t react). After a series of reversals, Williams sent Cardona flying with a big pounce!
Williams peeled down a kneepad then scored a running knee for the pinfall win in eight minutes. Making Williams win this one was the obvious choice, he has tons of momentum and, while he maybe shouldn’t be given a title shot just yet, higher visibility through this tournament is a great idea. This was an alright match, but the crowd was unfortunately pretty asleep for it.
Kit Wilson earns praise from London crowd, Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes trade fists
Kit Wilson interrupted the post-match, causing a massive reaction from the London crowd. He attacked a defeated Cardona at ringside, sent him into a set of steel stairs, called him “Toxic, toxic, toxic!” then got into the ring. I can’t understate how over Wilson was with this crowd: Damian Priest had a backstage interview immediately following the in-ring segment, and all you heard in the background from the London crowd was “Kit Wilson!” chants.
The show came back from a break with Wilson still in the ring. He was preaching to the London crowd about how much he hates toxic masculinity. This promo was eventually cut off by Jacob Fatu, who got into the ring and wiped him out with a huge superkick. Fatu came off the top with one of his impressive moonsaults, then got on the mic.
“Cody, you got something to say about me? You have something to say to me? Well check this out: Bring your punk-ass out here right now!”
Rhodes’ theme hit, and the former champ marched his way down to the ring looking for a fight. The two started to brawl, but this exchange was eventually separated by an army of security and Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis. This brawl continued during a commercial break.
Once the show returned, it was announced that Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event next weekend.
The Wyatts cause Solo Sikoa to lose against Damian Priest
The Contendership qualifying round continued with the next match, as Solo Sikoa met Damian Priest.
Sikoa’s MFTs gave him an advantage early, attacking Priest at ringside while the referee wasn’t looking. Priest regained control of the match at ringside after dumping Sikoa onto the commentary desk. Priest came running off the ropes for a move back in the ring, but Sikoa reversed into a Samoan Drop for a near fall.
Sikoa was delivering a series of hip attacks in a corner of the ring as the show returned. Priest countered a third one from Sikoa into a spinning heel kick. A striking exchange by these two featured headbutts and superkicks, but eventually ended after Priest came off the ropes with a lariat.
Priest hit a splash in the corner, avoided a Samoan Drop, then a reverse uranage for a near fall. Priest climbed to the top rope but was knocked off balance by Talla Tonga, causing the Sikoa ally to get ejected by the referee.
Priest escaped an Avalanche Samoan Drop from Sikoa, instead hitting a Razor’s Edge for a near fall. Distractions from the two remaining MFTs at ringside stopped Priest and allowed Solo to get back into the match, hitting a Spinning Solo then a top-rope frogsplash.
Sikoa started to set up for a Samoan Spike, but then the lights in the venue suddenly went out. The Wyatts appeared on top of the commentary table, which they then jumped off to begin brawling with the MFTs at ringside. Uncle Howdy almost regained possession of his lantern but was stopped by Sikoa, who ran to ringside to prevent him.
Sikoa rolled into the ring, where a recovered Priest hit him with a South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall victory in 10 minutes. This was a fun match with a creative finish which weaved two storylines together. Sikoa is so entertaining in his borderline-comedy character.
Uncle Howdy grabbed the lantern in the post-match but was dropped by a big boot from Talla Tonga. The MFTs keep the lantern for now, at least.
TNA’s Leon Slater answers the U.S. Open Challenge
The weekly Carmelo Hayes United States Open Challenge was next. Who answered the challenge this time around? TNA X-Division Champion and England’s own Leon Slater! This was what most people expected, since we knew Slater was in the U.K. this week and pulled from TNA’s bookings in Texas.
These two were working at a hectic pace from the very start. Slater got a near fall two minutes in after coming off the top with a huge crossbody. Hayes was selling his left knee during this match after an awkward landing. Slater connected with a springboard Spanish Fly just before the show returned from a commercial break.
Hayes landed a La Mistica then a cutter for a two-count at the seven-minute mark. Slater caught a 48 attempt and tried for a single-leg Boston Crab instead. Hayes escaped the submission with a roll-up pin attempt. Slater dropped Hayes with a huge leg lariat for a two-count.
A battle between these two on the ring apron ended with Slater landing a creative legdrop. After a back-and-forth pin exchange, Slater got a near fall with an awesome-looking Poisonrana. Hayes was thrown onto the ring apron but dropped to the outside due to his knee giving out. Slater did his impressive dive over the ringpost and to the outside onto Hayes.
Back in the ring, Slater tried for a 450 Swanton but came up empty. Hayes got up and hit a First 48, but Slater kicked out! These two were on fire here. The fight went to the top rope, where Hayes landed a cutter for the pinfall win. Awesome match between these two, it feels like only a matter of time until Slater is in a weekly high-profile spot like this.
Backstage, Tama Tonga was seen telling Shinsuke Nakamura that he’s next in line for the U.S. title. “This is your one and only warning: Stay out of my way.” In another interaction, Axiom warned Johnny Gargano that he’s in for a beating if he doesn’t hand over his mask. Candice LeRae ran away with the mask. He got jumped by Nathan Frazer, who said he has booked a match next week against Gargano. Frazer said Axiom will get his mask back after he beats him next week.
Jordynne Grace eyes title shot
The co-main event of the night saw Chelsea Green face recent Smackdown signing Jordynne Grace. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill was at ringside to watch this one go down.
This was a one-sided beatdown from Grace, who ended a showcase of flashy moves with a Cartwheel Driver for the pinfall victory in two and a half minutes. Cargill wanted to downplay Grace’s skills and just gave her a golf clap after.
Grace got on the mic after and said it’s important that Cargill was here so she could see what’s coming her way eventually. “If you’re finally tired of babysitting that title, then you should step into the ring right here, right now.”
Cargill got onto the ring apron but was knocked off by Green, who intended to attack Grace but accidentally struck the champ. Grace lifted the women’s title to end the segment. I wouldn’t mind Grace getting a title push!
Here’s what WWE announced for next week’s Smackdown:
- Johnny Gargano vs. Nathan Frazer
- Giulia & Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)
- Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs (WWE World Tag Team Championships)
- Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
Sami Zayn avenges loss to Ilja Dragunov, clinches final spot in #1 contender’s four-way
The main event of the night saw Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn battle it out for a final spot in the upcoming #1 contenders match for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This was a rematch from last year, when Zayn and Dragunov fought as part of the U.S. Open Challenge.
Zayn connected with a superplex before the show went into its final commercial break. Zayn scored a series of nasty stomps to Dragunov’s head during the break – these two were going hard from the start. A right hand from Zayn cut open Dragunov’s head right before the show returned.
The match went to the corner, where Zayn scored a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two-count. Dragunov started to battle back with a Constantine Special. He climbed to the top and came across the ring with a missile dropkick for a two-count.
Dragunov tried for an H-Bomb, but Zayn scored an upkick to stop him mid-air. Dragunov wobbled Zayn with a head kick, then landed a high-velocity clothesline in a corner of the ring. Zayn tried to counter Dragunov with a Helluva Kick, but Dragunov got out of the way, running Zayn into a corner of the ring.
The match went to the ring apron, where Dragunov launched himself toward Zayn with a Torpedo Moscow headbutt. Zayn barely escaped a count-out, but Dragunov kept the pressure on him with a powerbomb. He tried for a top-rope senton, but Zayn countered by putting up his knees.
Zayn connected with an exploder suplex, then a Helluva Kick, putting Dragunov away in 12 minutes to win and qualify for the upcoming #1 contender’s four-way at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
We knew Zayn would win considering SNME is in his hometown of Montreal, but this match was nonetheless enjoyable. These two were both incredibly physical and Dragunov, to his credit, took a ton of punishment.
Trick Williams sent a message ahead of the upcoming four-way by attacking Zayn with a Trickshot to end the show.
Final thoughts
Listen, a weekly three-hour program will never not feel like a slog to get through. I don’t know if I will ever be pro-three-hour Smackdown, simply because the show doesn’t need that much time. However, this was yet another solid episode with a few memorable matches and some pretty great promos from Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. Overall, I enjoyed this. Smackdown has been a relatively enjoyable show through three episodes in 2026.
