Event Summary
WWE Smackdown aired on delay from Berlin, Germany, with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett providing commentary. The event featured multiple matches, title defenses, and the main event for the WWE Championship.
Key Segments and Matches
Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams & The Miz
Randy Orton's ring entrance was interrupted by Trick Williams, who declared 2026 as his year. Orton questioned Williams's intelligence for interrupting him, leading to Orton attacking Williams with a punch and a draping DDT. The Miz then attacked Orton, but Orton countered with an RKO. Rey Fenix made an appearance following these events.
Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix
Trick Williams defeated Rey Fenix in approximately 10 minutes. Williams maintained control through most of the match, overcoming a Fenix comeback to secure the victory via a roll-up counter.
Backstage Interactions
- Giulia and Kiana James discussed Giulia's IC Title win, with Giulia stating the title was back where it belonged and expressing her intent to make an example of Alexa Bliss.
- Following a review of the previous week's ambulance match, Priest expressed his interest in challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Title. Drew McIntyre then displayed a gold watch he claimed Cody's father pawned, detailing his strategy for the main event.
- Alexa Bliss was on the phone with Charlotte. Nia Jax and Lash Legend approached Bliss, suggesting Charlotte's absence was a pretense.
Giulia vs. Alexa Bliss (U.S. Title Match)
Giulia, accompanied by Kiana James, faced Alexa Bliss for the U.S. Title. Kiana James interfered by elbowing Bliss, and Lash Legend later shoved Bliss off the top rope. Giulia capitalized on the interference, delivering a Northern Lights suplex for the win, retaining the U.S. Title in approximately 9 minutes.
Smackdown Roster Developments
- General Manager Nick Aldis officially welcomed Jordyn Grace to Smackdown. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre interrupted, demanding a U.S. Title rematch. Aldis scheduled Grace to face Fyre as her first opponent. Kit Wilson also spoke to Aldis about ongoing issues.
- Matt Cardona returned to WWE after five years, stating his goal was to win the WWE Title. He briefly interacted with Cody Rhodes, who was focused on his match with Drew McIntyre.
- A vignette from The Wyatt Sicks aired, with Uncle Howdy addressing Solo Sikoa and promising to dismantle his family tree.
The Wyatt Sicks vs. Solo Sikoa & The MFTS
Solo Sikoa & The MFTS defeated The Wyatt Sicks in a 10-minute match. Solo and Howdy tagged in against each other. Tama Tonga, tagging in, delivered his running Cut Throat to Howdy while Solo distracted Howdy by threatening his lantern, securing the win.
Further Backstage and In-Ring Action
- The Miz approached Carmelo Hayes to discuss earning a U.S. Title shot. Hayes later spoke with Ilya Dragunov about a future encounter.
- Alba Fyre faced Jordyn Grace. Grace overpowered Fyre, winning in 2 minutes with a Torture Rack bomb. Post-match, Jade Cargill confronted Grace on stage.
- Sami Zayn offered his prediction for the main event, stating he anticipated Cody Rhodes would win, and expressed his readiness to challenge the champion.
- Nathan Fraser was attacked by "Axiom," who unmasked as Johnny Gargano. The real Axiom then chased Gargano and Candice LeRae away.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (U.S. Title Match)
Carmelo Hayes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a 16-minute U.S. Title match. Nakamura dominated after an initial break. Hayes eventually countered Nakamura's offense, avoiding a Kinshasa to deliver his First 48 and a legdrop (Nothing But Net) from the top rope for the three-count, retaining the U.S. Title.
Cody Rhodes Pre-Match Comments
Backstage, Cody Rhodes responded to Drew McIntyre's comments about his father, dismissing them as unnecessary and lazy. He emphasized his focus on the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania after the night's main event.
Upcoming Matches
Next week's Smackdown lineup includes: Randy Orton vs. The Miz, Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams, Priest vs. Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn vs. Ilya Dragunov in a tournament to determine a number one contender to the WWE Title.
Main Event: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre (Three Stages of Hell Match for WWE Title)
Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match to capture the WWE Title. The match progressed as follows:
- Fall 1 (Standard Rules): Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in 4 minutes. McIntyre delivered a low blow to Cody (unseen by the referee) and followed with a Claymore for the pinfall.
- Fall 2 (Falls Count Anywhere): Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre in approximately 10 minutes (total match time 14 minutes). The wrestlers brawled through the arena. Cody eventually delivered a CrossRhodes on the announce desk to secure the pinfall.
- Fall 3 (Steel Cage): Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes in approximately 16 minutes (total match time 30 minutes) within a steel cage. Both wrestlers performed high-impact moves, including a superplex from the top of the cage by Drew. After several near falls, a masked individual, later identified as Jacob Fatu, interfered by pulling the referee away and attacking both competitors. Drew McIntyre capitalized on the distraction, escaping through the cage door to win the WWE Title.