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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
Today we will once again enjoy a new live coverage of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be broadcast live from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. This will be the penultimate episode of the blue brand before WWE Saturday Night's Main Event and will feature several segments and matches of interest, highlighting a new open challenge for the United States Championship, this time by the new champion Ilja Dragunov.
In addition, Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes will appear on the show just over a week before their match at Saturday Night's Main Event, where the WWE Undisputed Championship will be at stake. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happens on the show.
WWE SmackDown on Netflix begins!
We see a recap of last week's episode focused on the brutal attack suffered by Jacob Fatu and the chaotic confrontation between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre that took place in the main event of the night.
We see Cody Rhodes walking backstage. Jimmy Uso approaches him to greet him. The Samoan thanks Rhodes for what he did for his cousin (Jacob Fatu) last week. Cody asks Jimmy what he's doing on SmackDown. Uso replies that he needs to talk to Nick Aldis about what happened with Fatu. Rhodes points out where the General Manager's office is. After that, he asks his friend how things are with Jey Uso. "Did you see what happened? How would you feel?", asks Jimmy. Cody knows exactly how he feels, as he also has a brother in this business. "I know he'll do what's best for him. You have to do what's best for you," says "The American Nightmare." Jimmy thanks him for his words. "I'll go talk to Nick Aldis," says Uso. "I'll go talk to the audience," Rhodes replies. They shake hands before going their separate ways.
"The American Nightmare" makes his entrance. The fans welcome him with a great ovation. Cody heads to the ring while greeting some fans in the front row. Once in the ring, he takes a microphone. "Well, Tempe, Arizona, what do you want to talk about?" asks Rhodes. "We could talk about my opponent at Saturday Night's Main Event, The Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre," suggests Rhodes. The audience responds with boos. Cody recalls the events of last week, acknowledging that his actions are not like him, especially when he used his own belt to hit Drew McIntyre in the head. Cody wonders if he should apologize for it.
The Scotsman interrupts the promo from the stands. Drew makes it clear that he doesn't want apologies. The fans boo him. McIntyre doesn't understand the audience's reaction. He doesn't understand why they boo him while applauding Rhodes. The Scotsman climbs onto the commentator's table. Once there, he explains that this situation is for a reason: Cody has brainwashed them. "No matter what you do, they will keep supporting you. It's incredible. At Wrestlepalooza you screwed me with the referees. Last week you hit me in the face with the title, and they keep cheering for you!," exclaims Drew. "Cody, Cody!," chant the fans. "I've been screwed so many times, that now it's about Drew McIntyre ending the story. And I'll end it next week at Saturday Night's Main Event," he promises.
McIntyre changes the subject, focusing on the attack that Jacob Fatu suffered last week. Of course, everyone accuses him. "Cody, I hate that family. I hate them all. But I'm innocent," he says. "Cody, I saw you talking to Jimmy. Do you think it could have been him, the black sheep of the family?", he asks before reminding that Jey has a new opportunity for the World Heavyweight Championship. "And if Jimmy emulated his wife by attacking Fatu?
"Enough already!", Rhodes yells to interrupt McIntyre. "Let's pick up where we left off last week! You clearly want a fight! I'll fight you here! I'll fight you now! Let's do it here and now!," exclaims the champion before throwing the microphone onto the canvas. Rhodes takes off his jacket and challenges the Scotsman to get into the ring. Drew gets off the table to head to the ring. Suddenly, Jimmy appears in the audience area to launch himself at the Scotsman!
The Samoan launches an assault on Drew, pushing him over the commentator's table. Many security members come to the scene to separate both men. Jimmy escapes from them to get into the ring. From there, he launches himself at McIntyre with a suicide dive. Drew's back hits the edge of the commentator's table, causing him great harm. Security intervenes again to separate both men. Cody gets out of the ring to calm Jimmy down, at which point MFT as a whole make their entrance, ready for the first match of the night. This is how we reach the first segment of the night.
Drew McIntyre argues with Nick Aldis backstage. "You would have never put me in a WWE Championship match if you believed for a second that I was guilty, so do something about Jimmy!," exclaims the Scotsman. Suddenly, the Samoan launches himself at Drew to resume his assault from a few minutes ago. Security intervenes once again to separate both men, taking McIntyre away from the scene to prevent further harm.
Tag Team Match
Shinsuke Nakamura and Rey Fenix vs. MFT (Tama Tonga and JC Mateo) (with Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, and Tonga Loa)
Nakamura and Tama start the match. Tonga is the first to strike. Tama takes his opponent to the mat to deliver several blows. Shinsuke stands up to start his counterattack, but Tonga quickly takes him down with a flying tackle. Nakamura takes down Tama before applying a diving knee. Tama retreats to his corner to tag in JC. Shinsuke tags in Fenix.
Rey kicks Mateo while receiving support from the fans. Fenix takes down JC with a dropkick. Nakamura and Rey combine perfectly against Mateo. Both kick JC in one of the corners. Mateo escapes to ringside to regroup with his MFT partners. Shinsuke and Rey challenge their opponents to return to the ring. Mateo returns, only to be the victim of Nakamura's kicks.
Rey receives the tag to continue hitting JC, but he ends up distracting the referee, a moment that Tama takes advantage of to deliver a tremendous clothesline on the masked wrestler from the apron. JC takes advantage of the situation to gain the upper hand. Mateo punishes the Mexican, rubbing his face against the mat. Tama receives the tag to deliver another clothesline on the masked wrestler, this time legally. 1..2..NO.
JC receives the tag to kick the masked wrestler's back against the corner. Rey tries to respond but ends up receiving several chops from Mateo. Tama receives the tag to deliver a tremendous corner splash. Fenix fights with all his might while trying to reach his partner. "Nakamura, Nakamura!," chant the fans. Tama receives the tag to take down Rey with another clothesline. They cheer for Nakamura. Mateo executes a side suplex on Rey. 1..2..NO.
Mateo continues to punish Fenix. Meanwhile, Sikoa puts his finger to his lips to order the audience to be silent. Fenix kicks JC to finally tag in Shinsuke. He enters with force, hitting both opponents. Nakamura kicks JC before taking him to the top of one of the corners, where he delivers a direct knee strike to the stomach. Then, he covers him. 1..2..NO. "Nakamura, Nakamura!," chant the fans.
JC surprises the Japanese wrestler, to whom he applies a pendulum slam. Tama receives the tag. Shinsuke and Rey combine against Tama, who finally receives a moonsault from the masked wrestler. 1..2..NO. Rey dodges a big boot from Tonga to respond with a superkick. Tama leans on the top rope, at which point Fenix hits him with a Tightrope Penalty Kick. Rey finishes him off with a diving crossbody. 1..2..NO. Mateo interrupts the count.
Nakamura gets rid of JC with a spinning kick. Tonga Loa gets on the apron to distract the Japanese wrestler. He kicks him to make him fall, a moment that Tama takes advantage of to surprise him with a clothesline. Tama throws Shinsuke out of the ring before charging at Rey. However, the Mexican dodges him, causing his opponent to fall out of the ring.
Rey launches himself at Mateo and Tama with a Cancun Tornado. Fenix takes Tama back into the ring. At that moment, Solo gets on the apron to distract the referee, allowing Talla to surprise Rey with a chokeslam on the apron. Tama finishes off the Mexican with a running elbow. 1..2..3.
Winners: MFT
Jimmy Uso talks with Nick Aldis backstage. The Samoan is convinced that Drew McIntyre attacked his cousin and insists that everyone knows it. Jimmy wants to deal with this matter and wants to do it with his own hands. Nick offers him a match against Drew for tonight. "I don't want a match. I want a fight," says Uso. "Okay. Let me make some adjustments, and tonight you and Drew McIntyre will face each other in a no disqualification match," says Aldis. "Okay!," exclaims Jimmy immensely satisfied. The Samoan leaves to end the segment.
We see Giulia talking on the phone. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre approach her, with the former asking "The Beautiful Madness" where her secretary is. Meanwhile, in the background, we see Nikki Cross watching the scene. Green reminds Giulia that she was the first United States Champion, but now she has a new campaign in mind: to become the new WWE Women's Champion, offering Giulia the opportunity to be the vice president when that happens. Kiana James interrupts the scene. James reviews Giulia's schedule, pointing out that there is no meeting with a "cheap diva" on it. Kiana doesn't doubt that Chelsea will have important things to do, but she has a match against the WWE Women's Champion right now. With that said, James heads to the ring. Green gestures to Alba, who hands a brochure to Giulia. However, she quickly rejects it. "Arrivederci," says the United States Champion before leaving. "I think she said 'yes' in Italian," says a smiling Chelsea. This is how we reach the end of this segment.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James (with Giulia)
Both women observe each other carefully before starting the match. Kiana and Tiffany show off their agility and flexibility in a first phase of testing. Stratton takes down James with two consecutive armdrags to take the lead. James frees herself to take the champion to one of the corners, where she kicks her. Stratton takes down Kiana with a dropkick before applying a corner hip attack.
Stratton ends up outside the ring. Kiana jumps with a moonsault from the apron, but the champion dodges it. At that moment, Giulia approaches Tiffany, distracting her long enough for James to surprise her from behind. Kiana throws Stratton against the audience barrier before posing next to "The Beautiful Madness." James takes her opponent back into the ring, where she continues to punish her.
Kiana throws Tiffany out of the ring. The referee prevents her from going after her opponent, a moment that Zelina takes advantage of to hit the champion. James takes Stratton back into the ring, where she covers her. 1..2..NO. Tiffany tries to react, but her opponent takes her down with an elbow. Kiana continues to hit Stratton, who is finished off with an elbowdrop. 1..2..NO.
Kiana traps Stratton in a headlock. Tiffany tries to escape, but her opponent grabs her by the hair to take her down to the mat. James punishes Stratton in one of the corners. Kiana kicks her repeatedly before applying a corner spear. James finishes her off with a big boot. 1..2..NO. The action continues, with both women falling at the same time.
James and Stratton exchange attacks in the center of the ring. Tiffany takes the lead with several clotheslines, followed by a handspring splash. Stratton executes an Alabama Slam on her opponent, followed by a Rolling Death Valley Driver. Tiffany continues with a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Kiana dodges it. James performs a superkick on the champion, followed by a Michinoku Driver. 1..2..NO.
The action moves to the top of one of the corners. Tiffany blocks a superplex by knocking down her opponent, who lands on the mat. Stratton jumps with a Swanton Bomb on James. After that, she climbs back to the top of the corner to execute a definitive Prettiest Moonsault Ever. 1..2..3.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Giulia attacks Stratton from behind, preventing the champion from celebrating. "The Beautiful Madness" continues to hit Tiffany, who is knocked out with a G-Trigger. Giulia prepares to execute her finisher when suddenly...
Jade Cargill returns to SmackDown!
Cargill enters the ring to start a fight with Giulia. Jade performs a superkick on the United States Champion and continues with a pump kick. Kiana gets on the apron, where she receives a punch from Jade. Meanwhile, Giulia rolls towards ringside to escape from Cargill. In pain, Giulia and James retreat backstage. On the other hand, Jade approaches Tiffany to offer her a hand. Stratton accepts the help. Cargill raises Tiffany's arm, even returning her belt. Suddenly, Jade hits her with a clothesline!
Jade continues to attack the champion, who ends up outside the ring. Cargill throws her over the commentator's table. Jade goes after her to kick her repeatedly. Several officials try to stop her, but they are unable to calm her fury. Stratton ends up lying on the ground next to the metal stairs. Cargill approaches her to stomp on her left knee, which was resting on the stairs. Tiffany screams in pain. Once satisfied, Jade returns to the ring to pick up the WWE Women's Championship and pose with it. Jade returns backstage to a loud booing. Meanwhile, the champion continues to be attended to.
Sami Zayn approaches Ilja Dragunov backstage. Sami congratulates him on his victory last week, explaining that he couldn’t do it at the time because of MFT. The two shake hands. Ilja thanks him for his words and makes it clear that he respects him deeply as a wrestler. Moreover, what Sami did with his open challenges was “simply legendary.” Zayn tells him that open challenges are no joke — it was an idea started by John Cena and passed down to him. “Now, Ilja Dragunov, I’m passing it to you,” says Sami. The Canadian points out that only one kind of person can do this: someone ready to go to war every week. Someone who knows there’s a target on their back and doesn’t care. Someone ready to leave everything in the ring week after week. “And Ilja, you’re that guy. So get out there and do it,” says Zayn. “Thank you, Sami,” says the Russian before heading to the ring with a war cry. Zayn smiles as he watches the new champion walk away.
Cathy Kelley interviews Jade Cargill backstage, asking her what led her to attack Tiffany Stratton and what consequences she expects after her actions. “Consequences? You only deal with them when you make a mistake — and the only mistake I made was thinking this world rewards patience with power! And I’m not going to ask for it! I’m going to take it — starting with the WWE Women’s Championship!” exclaims Jade before walking away.
Ilja Dragunov makes his entrance. “You deserve it!” chant the fans. Microphone in hand, Dragunov admits that he went through both great moments and truly devastating ones during the year he spent away from the ring recovering from his injury. And in those dark moments, he remembered something: that his genetics won’t let him give up. Thanks to that, he was able to return — and now he’s the new United States Champion. Since he doesn’t like doing things halfway, he believes it’s his duty to continue Sami Zayn’s legacy of open challenges. “So, my dear friends and enemies, tonight PAIN shall be your entertainment,” says the Russian as he issues his open challenge.
Aleister Black appears on the scene. Accompanied by Zelina Vega, the Dutchman heads to the ring to accept the title challenge.
United States Championship Match
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Aleister Black (with Zelina Vega)
Aleister drives Ilja against the ropes, kicking him. Dragunov responds with several chops, one of them to Aleister’s left leg, forcing him to kneel. Black blocks a discus lariat from Ilja with a kick. The champion ends up at ringside. The referee steps in to hold back Black, allowing Zelina to surprise the Russian with a hurricanrana. Aleister positions himself on the apron and kicks the champion with a Penalty Kick.
The Dutchman brings Dragunov back into the ring, continuing his assault. Aleister delivers a knee strike to Ilja in one of the corners. Black keeps kicking the Russian, who responds with several chops. Aleister traps Dragunov in a mat headlock. The champion breaks free, only to be taken down by a back elbow. Aleister hits a knee to Ilja’s back before locking in another headlock.
Both men trade blows in the center of the ring. Aleister lands a big boot. Dragunov counters with a quick enzuigiri. Both men are down. Ilja hits a big boot on the Dutchman in one of the corners. Dragunov grabs Black and delivers two consecutive German suplexes. Aleister tries to escape, but the Russian takes him down with another suplex. 1..2..NO! “This is awesome!” chant the fans.
Ilja climbs the ropes to set up his next attack. At that moment, Zelina gets on the apron to distract Dragunov, allowing Aleister to knock him down. Black dives with a diving meteora, then hits a bridging German suplex. 1..2..NO. The action continues. Dragunov dodges a Quebrada and counters with a discus lariat. Both men are down again.
Dragunov gets up and catches his opponent with a release powerbomb. The Russian goes for an H-Bomb, but Black blocks it with his legs. Both men are down once more. “This is awesome!” chant the fans. Aleister kicks Dragunov in one of the corners. Zelina smiles from ringside.
Ilja and Black trade strikes atop one of the corners. Dragunov knocks the Dutchman down before diving with a diving dropkick. Ilja climbs again and connects a diving senton. 1..2..NO. Dragunov sets up for a Torpedo, but Black stops him with a knee strike. Aleister follows up with a brainbuster. 1...2..NO!
Aleister goes for a Black Mass. Dragunov dodges and counters with a Torpedo. Both men are down again. Ilja positions himself in one of the corners to prepare for his H-Bomb, but Vega grabs his legs to trip him up. Black takes advantage and strikes the Russian from behind. The referee, having seen it all, ejects Vega from ringside. Zelina argues with the official, but the decision is final. Vega keeps protesting as she heads up the ramp. At that moment...
Damian Priest makes his entrance!
Damian heads to the ring. Priest stops, taking off his sunglasses to reveal a burn on his face — just below his left eye. Aleister, who hasn’t taken his eyes off the Puerto Rican, turns toward Dragunov, who surprises him with a Torpedo. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Ilja Dragunov
Priest enters the ring and unleashes a flurry of attacks on Black. The Puerto Rican drags Aleister toward the commentary table. The Dutchman tries to escape, but his enemy won’t let him. Damian places Black on the table, ready to strike him with a steel chair. Suddenly, Vega jumps onto Priest’s back. From a sleeperhold position, Vega attacks directly at Damian’s injured eye. He manages to shake off Zelina and recover on the apron. Meanwhile, Vega and Black flee through the crowd, leaving their enemy behind. Once recovered, Damian climbs onto the commentary table to watch the pair escape. That’s how this segment ends.
Cathy Kelley interviews Carmelo Hayes backstage. Despite what everyone thinks, Hayes has no intention of badmouthing The Miz. Not only is he a Grand Slam Champion, but also a future Hall of Famer. Plus, he’s taught him a lot, and for that, he’ll always be grateful. However, Miz crossed the line when he put his hands on him, and that’s why Carmelo had to do something about it last week. It was something he couldn’t let slide, though he won’t let revenge drive him, because it’s a double-edged sword. That’s why, as far as he’s concerned, he’s at peace with The Miz. Now he’s ready to fulfill his destiny on SmackDown. He’s heard the fans and knows they support him. “I owe it to the people and to myself to get back on the path that makes me HIM,” says Melo. Kit Wilson interrupts the interview. The Brit praises Carmelo for acting like a mature man but criticizes him for still thinking everything revolves around him. Everything he says, Kit argues, only poisons the minds of the young — which he describes as a crime against emotional intelligence. “You know what? The real crime would be letting you interrupt my interview without paying for it, so I’ll see you next week,” says Hayes before leaving.
Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer) approach a battered Ilja Dragunov backstage. Frazer welcomes him back to SmackDown before asking when he’ll get his title shot. Axiom corrects his partner, pointing out that what he meant was to congratulate Ilja on his successful title defense tonight. However, he agrees with Nathan that both of them want a title opportunity. Dragunov responds that they can have it anytime they want — all they have to do is answer the open challenge he’ll issue every week. “It’s for everyone, for anyone — including teams. See you soon,” says Ilja before walking away.
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Candice LeRae approach the Europeans to mock them. Though Fraxiom want to win everything, the truth is their title chances have been nonexistent. Axiom cuts them off, saying there’s something he doesn’t understand — he thought Johnny Gargano wanted to face him, but that hasn’t happened. The Spaniard thinks Gargano is afraid. Nathan agrees, adding that’s the reason #DIY hasn’t done anything to make the match happen. Tommaso, Johnny, and Candice deny the accusations before walking away, saying talking to the Europeans is a waste of time. “Shhhh,” is suddenly heard. Frazer and Axiom turn around to find themselves face-to-face with Tama Tonga, who orders them to be silent with a harpocratic gesture. He then points at them with two fingers before dragging them across his throat. With the threat made, Tama walks away with his signature laugh. Axiom and Nathan look at each other, confused and surprised.
Cathy Kelley interviews Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are aware that Bayley and Lyra Valkyria have challenged them to a title match on social media, and they accept. Bliss notes that their opponents need to see what a real team looks like, because they clearly aren’t on the same wavelength — unlike her and Charlotte. Nia Jax interrupts the interview to mock the champions. “The Irresistible Force” believes they’re just playing best friends and wonders which of them will betray the other first. Charlotte thinks Jax only says that because she’s been betrayed too many times — so many that she assumes everyone will do the same. She used to think like that too, but fortunately, she’s learned what a healthy, trust-based relationship looks like. “You should try it,” says The Queen. Nia recalls that she once had a friend — and that friend betrayed her. That’s why she warns Charlotte to watch her back, because her partner will stab her in it any moment. Alexa reminds Jax that people change. “But if you’re looking for my old self, she’s not hard to find,” says Bliss. “Those are big words for such a small girl. Maybe you’d like to back them up in the ring,” replies Nia. “Count on it,” says Alexa. “See you next week,” says Jax before leaving. “Clearly, she’s going through something. Everything will be fine,” says The Queen, putting her arm around her partner.
No Disqualification Match
Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso
Drew goes after Jimmy to start the fight at ringside. The referee rings the bell. McIntyre smashes the Samoan against the barricade before taking him back into the ring. Uso tries to fight back, but Drew stops him with a kick. “We want tables!” chant the fans. Jimmy kicks McIntyre and throws him out of the ring with a clothesline. Jimmy prepares for a suicide dive, but Drew stops him with a right hand.
The action returns to ringside. Drew jumps over the barricade, with Uso quickly following to continue the brawl. McIntyre rakes Jimmy’s eyes, and Uso counters with a suplex. The Scotsman’s back hits the floor hard. Jimmy throws Drew over the barricade again to bring the fight back to ringside. Jimmy pleases the fans by pulling a table from under the ring. Uso slides it into the ring before McIntyre surprises him with a clothesline.
Drew throws his opponent against the barricade. McIntyre brings the Samoan back into the ring. Drew places Jimmy’s head on the table and smashes it with a kick. The Scotsman lands several right hands on his rival. Uso tries to respond, but Drew takes him down with a back elbow. 1..2..NO. Jimmy escapes McIntyre’s grasp and drops him with an enzuigiri. Drew falls to ringside.
Uso climbs onto the barricade, runs across it, and dives toward McIntyre. Drew catches him midair and counters with a belly-to-belly suplex. Jimmy’s back hits the floor. Drew takes Uso back into the ring for a pin. 1..2..NO. McIntyre goes out to grab a steel chair. Back inside, the Scotsman uses it as a weapon against his opponent. Drew laughs.
McIntyre sets up the chair before smashing Jimmy’s head into it. Drew sits Jimmy on it and goes for a Claymore, but the Samoan reacts in time. Uso trips Drew, making his face hit the chair. Jimmy launches a counterattack, ending with a barrage of chair shots on the Scotsman. Jimmy sets up the table near one of the corners.
Jimmy goes back for McIntyre, but Drew surprises him with a Future Shock DDT. 1..2..NO. Drew goes for a Claymore, but Uso stops him and executes a Samoan Drop through the table, which shatters. Jimmy goes for an Uso Splash, but Drew catches him with a chair shot. McIntyre finishes his opponent with a final Claymore. 1..2..3.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Drew traps Jimmy’s head in the steel chair, forcing several officials to intervene. The Scotsman refuses to let go. At that moment...
Cody Rhodes runs to the ring to brawl with McIntyre!
Cody throws Drew over the barricade, then returns to the ring to check on Jimmy. McIntyre comes back and surprises Rhodes with a Claymore. The Scotsman stares at his two fallen enemies. Drew crouches beside the Undisputed WWE Champion as the show comes to an end.
