The John Report: WWE SmackDown 02/07/25 Review
This is WWE Smackdown featuring Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, and Jimmy Uso in a huge triple threat match with the winner gaining entry into the Elimination Chamber.
It’s the first WWE SmackDown episode since the Royal Rumble last Saturday in Indianapolis. The Royal Rumble winners Charlotte Flair and Jey Uso will both be on SmackDown this week. We are now on the road to WWE Elimination Chamber taking place on March 1st in Toronto.
Also, it was confirmed earlier in the day by WWE SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis that Drew McIntyre is now a part of the SmackDown after moving in the transfer window. I’m a huge fan of Drew and he was my pick for WWE’s Best Wrestler of 2024 in my annual WWE Johnny Awards column. Drew is a main event performer who makes everybody around him better. I’m glad he’s on Smackdown since they needed some star power.
From the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, this is Smackdown for episode #1329. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport, friend me on Facebook, or chat with me on the Bluesky App as well. Let’s get to it.
There was some backstage walking shown of LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Jimmy Uso since they are in a big match. They also showed Women’s Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair.
A video package aired showing highlights of the Royal Rumble.
It was Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. Wade put over Jey’s popularity with the fans and also WWE superstars who were so happy about Jey winning the Rumble.
Let’s Hear from Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes
Jey Uso’s entrance took over five minutes by the time he got into the ring and the music stopped. The Smackdown ring was a blue carpet with the WWE logo in the middle of it. The fans chanted “one more time” so Jey’s music played some more and they did some more arm swinging with Jey.
Jey started his promo by saying that “Main Event” Jey Uso is now in your city. Jey said he had a hell of a week, he got a lot of love from his family, his friends and the fans. Jey reminded us saying he was the Men’s 2025 Royal Rumble winner. The fans chanted “yeet” throughout the promo. The fans chanted “you deserve it” and Jey said he was here to pick a champion to main event at WrestleMania. Jey said on Raw he was in the ring with World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER so it was only right for him to come to Smackdown to go face to face with the WWE Champion. Jey introduced “my dog” (aka his friend), the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes was in dress clothes including a tie (with no jacket) and the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hands. The fans cheered Cody a lot and sang his song as usual. When Cody got into the ring, he was limping around a bit due to the physical Ladder Match he was in and Cody hugged his friend Jey.
Cody: “So Memphis…Main Event Jey Uso…I think I know what you want to talk about.” Jey Uso told Cody he knew why he was there. Jey said he can stand across from Cody on the grandest stage of all at WrestleMania and it would mean a lot to him. Jey said that he could be next to him with Cody still WWE Champion and Jey as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Cody said his doctor said he had issues with his elbow and back issues along with other things. Cody talked about how full his heart is because of how proud he is of Jey winning the Royal Rumble. Cody said that this WrestleMania sign is Jey’s sign to point at. Cody said that they won tag team gold, had a libation or two and they could do that all over again. Cody said that for his title reign to be complete, not only does he have to compete but he has to win. Cody told Jey if Jey chose him then it would be the last time for them to have fun. Jey shook hands with Cody, but Jey didn’t make any sort of announcement.
Analysis: It was a respectful promo exchange from two men who are friends and former Tag Team Champions together. Cody’s message was that if Jey chooses him then they can’t be friends on the road to WrestleMania because of how serious it is. I think Jey will pick Gunther instead of Cody, but nothing is official yet.
Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga interrupted the promo and made their way down to the ring. Fatu is Jey’s cousin, but in WWE land they are rivals. Tonga did his “ye ye ye ye ye ye” thing and Jacob took over. Fatu said that last year Cody Rhodes took that title from Fatu’s family, but Fatu said that the family needs the title back. Fatu mentioned his big cousin Jey Uso saying that if it was anybody to bring back that title to the family it sure in the hell wouldn’t be Jey’s ass. Jey superkicked Tama and Fatu hit Jey. Fatu hit a running forearm smash on Cody, who was grabbing his injured left elbow. Fatu tried going for a charging attack, but Jey superkicked Fatu. Cody hit a Cody Cutter on Fatu. Jey and Cody hit a double clothesline to send Fatu over the top to the floor.
Analysis: It’s a big spot for Jacob Fatu to be in the ring with the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes like that and to have Fatu weaken Cody. They are clearly pushing Fatu as a big threat and a star on the rise. This segment was also done to lead to a tag team match between the four guys as well.
Bianca Belair was shown walking with Naomi for Belair’s match up next.
This Monday on Raw: Logan Paul faces Rey Mysterio in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. Bayley also faces Lyra Valkyria in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
(Commercial)
The tag team match is official for later in the show: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso vs. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Bianca Belair (w/Naomi) vs. Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green)
Belair worked over Niven with shoulder tackles to the ribs. Belair punched Niven a few times, so Niven pulled Belair’s hair and Niven hit a clothesline. Niven charged at Belair, who moved and Niven bumped to the floor. Belair left the ring, Niven tackled Belair against the ring apron and Niven hit a cross body block against the ring apron. Niven hit a senton splash on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued here on Netflix. They were back in the ring with Belair doing the shoulder tackle and Niven hit a shoulder tackle to knock Belair down. Niven punched Belair against the turnbuckle, but Belair broke free to send Niven face first into the turnbuckle. Belair worked over Niven with punches. Belair hit a dropkick. Belair went up top and the show returned for all fans leading to Belair hitting a cross body block for two.
Niven regained control with a spinning Bossman Slam. Niven went for a senton, but Belair avoided it and Belair hit a Spera for two. Belair bumped into the turnbuckle on the kickout. That bump was a bit excessive. Niven hit a cannonball into the turnbuckle. Belair tried a move off the turnbuckle, but Niven blocked it and Niven hit a uranage slam. Niven hit a Vader Bomb off the middle turnbuckle for two. Belair kicked Niven by the turnbuckle. Belair lifted Niven on her shoulders, the crowd got loud and Belair hit an impressive KOD slam for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bianca Belair
Analysis: **3/4 A solid match for the time given with Belair getting the win as expected. They like putting Belair in there against Niven because it leads to Belair showing off her power with a KOD slam on Niven. It’s not a move a lot of people could do to Niven, but Belair is strong enough to pull it off. The issue with a match like this is you know Belair is going to win so there’s not that much drama. However, the ending KOD spot did get a big reaction.
The first two competitors in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match are Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair.
Analysis: There was a rumor about Bianca Belair facing Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania, so perhaps Belair will win the Chamber match. I think it depends on some of the other women in the match.
The SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was in his office talking to Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, who are now on Smackdown. Aldis told Carmelo Hayes that Adam Pearce requested Hayes face a Raw superstar. Hayes didn’t seem interested. The Raw superstar walked in and it was Akira Tozawa, who Hayes attacked during the Royal Rumble. Hayes said it would be a layup meaning it would be easy and Tozawa did a basketball shot gesture saying “airball” so Melo got in his face. That match is later.
The WWE Tag Team Champions #DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano entered for a promo up next.
(Commercial)
A video aired of the WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) show that premieres on A&E on February 16th. It featured The Undertaker talking to trainees about how much the business means to him. I’m looking forward to it.
Let’s Hear from #DIY
#DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano were in the ring as the WWE Tag Team Champions and they were booed. Gargano bragged about how they beat the Motor City Machine Guns twice at the Royal Rumble, so they are the best tag team in the world. The fans booed that. Ciampa said it’s safe to say that the chances of The Guns holding these titles again are dead. Ciampa said that they are two independent legends and 11 years ago they were their favorite tag team. Ciampa wanted everybody to stand up, take your hats off, bow your heads in silence (the fans booed that) and here comes Pretty Deadly.
The Pretty Deadly duo of Elton Prince & Kit Wilson arrived with Prince saying they felt it was important to mention that they helped #DIY keep those Tag Team Titles. I think Prince accidentally said “NXT” there. Ciampa wanted them to respect the moment of silence.
Nick Aldis walked out by the entrance area telling #DIY that they don’t have a right to say what happens. Aldis told Pretty Deadly that they have to earn a title shot. Aldis booked a non-title match for right now and if PD wins then they get a title match. #DIY complained because they were in street clothes rather than their wrestling gear.
Analysis: This is positioning Pretty Deadly in a babyface role, which is new for them since they were heels in NXT and on the main roster as well. I like seeing some promo time for the tag team division.
The action continued here on Netflix with Pretty Deadly going after the champions, who tried to run away, but PD brought them back into the ring.
#DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano vs. Pretty Deadly – Elton Prince & Kit Wilson
Ciampa and Gargano were wrestling in jeans and t-shirts instead of their wrestling gear. Gargano had sneakers on while Ciampa had more dressy shoes. Ciampa worked over Prince with punches and a chop. Ciampa grabbed a headlock as the match returned for the full audience.
The #DIY boys were in control until Prince sent both men out of the ring. Prince kicked Gargano back, which led to Wilson getting the tag with a jumping back elbow. Wilson stomped on Ciampa followed by Wilson hitting a Side Effect on Gargano. Wilson hit a clothesline on Ciampa. Prince tagged in leading to both guys hitting uppercuts. Wilson hit a double knee attack on Gargano for two because Ciampa broke up the pin. Ciampa got the tag and sent Wilson into the ring post. Prince and Ciampa exchanged forearms/uppercuts. Prince kicked Ciampa. Gargano grabbed Prince’s hair and Prince punched Gargano to knock him down. Ciampa rolled up Prince and grabbed the ropes, but Wilson kicked Ciampa to break that up. Prince rolled up Ciampa, Prince grabbed the ropes, the referee never saw it and the referee counted the pin to give Prince the win. It went about 7 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Pretty Deadly – Elton Prince & Kit Wilson
Analysis: **1/2 An upset win by Pretty Deadly while #DIY can claim they weren’t ready since they were in their street clothes. I liked the finish because Ciampa tried to cheat, Wilson helped Prince and that led to Prince cheating to win. This is the kind of booking that existed a lot in the Vince McMahon era with champions losing non-title to set up a title match. It doesn’t happen as often with Triple H booking. I don’t mind seeing that kind of booking once in a while. Doing it too often like Vince did was something I complained about in those days.
The LA Knight-Drew McIntyre-Jimmy Uso match was up next.
(Commercial)
The Miz talked to Andrade in the backstage area saying he was impressed by Andrade last week. Miz said that Andrade can learn from him. Andrade said he learned how to beat Miz. Cody Rhodes walked up to Miz, who said that guys like them are old school and he’ll always have Cody’s back. Cody said he didn’t Miz to have his back. Miz said that this time last year it was Cody’s story and the entire world was behind Cody, but this year they are about Jey Uso. The Miz said that we know what title does to friendships and reminded him about Kevin Owens. The Miz said that Jey Uso against Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania is a hell of a story.
A video aired from the Royal Rumble post-show featuring John Cena saying he would be in Elimination Chamber. Cena said he’ll win his 17th World Title at WrestleMania and when somebody wins 18, he’ll be there to shake his hand.
Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre made his entrance for his match as a new SmackDown superstar. Drew said that screw Raw because Drew is officially back on Friday Night SmackDown. Drew said after he was eliminated by a coward, he was angry and drove from Indy to Nashville while sleeping in his own bed. Drew said he got out of his bed saying he’s jacked while wondering why he was so angry all the time. Drew said on Raw, everybody was trying to stab you in the back and that bald idiot Adam Pearce didn’t know what he was doing. Drew said he talked to Nick Aldis, who he has known since they were teenagers, and Drew said that Nick said that Drew can be Drew 100%. Drew said that he was here for Cody, but not specifically him because he was here for what was stolen from Drew and that’s the WWE Championship.
Analysis: Good mission statement from Drew McIntyre back on the Smackdown brand. A Drew feud with Cody sounds awesome to me because they are two of the best wrestlers in WWE and they are in their prime. I want to see that rivalry.
Jimmy Uso walked out saying how Drew comes out here complaining about the past and he sounds like an ex-girlfriend. Jimmy said that Drew said that they stole things from him, but he lost. Jimmy said that Drew has to earn his spot, but Drew has to get through Jimmy and LA Knight. Drew said that he’s a different man, he said he’s cool Jey…and corrected himself saying Jimmy. Drew talked about how it’s been 20 years, but he can barely tell them apart. Drew said that Jimmy is just as talented and told Jimmy that maybe he’d be where Jey is right now if he just said “yeet” first. Jimmy said he can say “yeet” or “no yeet” if he wants. Jimmy said he was going to get his. Jimmy said that Jey did clock his, but what about yours. Jimmy said that Drew has to get through Big Jim first, then go through Elimination Chamber and then get to WrestleMania, but Jimmy is here to kick his ass. Jimmy told Drew he was going to WrestleMania.
Analysis: I liked that promo from Jimmy too. He is gaining momentum as a singles star.
LA Knight was next up for his pre-match promo. Knight said that Jimmy is the main reason that Knight didn’t win the WWE Title over a year ago. Knight said that in his life he wants to affect good change. Knight said that if something arises in your life that makes you cry, let it out because it doesn’t make you any less of a man. Knight said that there is a line where it can be too much. Knight said that there are three guarantees in life saying there is death, taxes and Drew McIntyre crying. Knight said he heard somebody call him “Drew McIn-Cryer” and Knight said oh wait, he forget to get his stuff in. They showed Drew shaking his head, so Knight set up the crowd to say “LA Knight…yeah.” The match is next.
Analysis: The line by Knight about “getting my stuff in” was a reference to McIntyre being angry about the elimination spot in the Royal Rumble that made the news this week. It was interesting that they would address it.
They went to a break for some fans while the three men waited in the ring with referee Charles Robinson. They also killed some time.
Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
It started with LA Knight and Jimmy Uso working together to attack Drew. Knight and Jimmy took turns stomping on Drew against the turnbuckle. The action returned for the full audience.
Jimmy sent Knight to the apron and Knight hit a slingshot shoulder tackle on Drew. Knight and Drew were punching eachother aggressively. Jimmy hit Knight with an uppercut and Drew came back with a forearm to knock Jimmy down. Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop on Drew for a two count. Jimmy worked over Knight with chops, but Knight came back with a powerslam. Drew was back up with a headbutt to knock Knight down. Drew suplexed Knight across the ring and did the same suplex to Jimmy across the ring. Drew sent Jimmy hard into the turnbuckle. Drew gave Knight an overhead belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Jimmy sent Drew out of the ring followed by Jimmy hitting a suicide dive on Drew on the floor. Knight kicked Jimmy to knock him down. Knight rammed Drew’s head into the commentary table hood and Knight rammed Jimmy’s head into the table hood as well. Knight posed on the table. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued here on Netflix. Drew sent Knight into the ring post. The fans wanted a table, so Drew pulled a table out from under the ring and then Drew put the table back under the ring to draw boos from the fans. Drew tried a move on Knight, but Knight shoved Drew into the turnbuckle followed by Knight hitting a neckbreaker. Knight and Jimmy exchanged strikes. Drew got back into it by hitting a jumping kick on Jimmy for a two count because Knight broke it up. Drew sent Knight out of the ring as the action returned for all fans.
Drew and Jimmy battled by the turnbuckle where Jimmy knocked Drew down so Drew was crotched on the top rope. Knight stomped on Drew a few times. Drew reached back up while Knight did a superplex to Jimmy and Drew gave Knight a German Suplex. That was a cool spot combining the turnbuckle moves that Drew and Knight love to do. The fans chanted “this is awesome” as all three guys were down in the ring. Drew and Knight exchanged chops leading to Knight hitting a DDT. Knight hit an elbow drop off the top rope for two because Jimmy broke it up. Jimmy shoved Knight toward Drew, which led to Drew hitting a spinebuster for two. Drew hit a neckbreaker on Jimmy. Drew charged right into a superkick by Jimmy. Jimmy clotheslined Drew out of the ring. Knight was back in, but Jimmy hit him with a spinning kick and a superkick. Jimmy went up top and jumped off the top with an Uso Splash for two because Drew pulled the referee out of the ring. No DQ in a triple threat match. Jimmy left the ring and superkicked Drew while they were on the floor. Jimmy jumped off the top, but Knight got his knees up and Knight got a cradle for two. Knight hit Jimmy with a BFT while Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Knight at the same time and Drew pinned Knight for the pinfall win after 15 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: ***3/4 It was a great match. That spot with Jimmy hitting the Uso Splash for two because Drew pulled the referee out of the ring was perfectly timed and drew a big reaction from the crowd. I also liked that spot out of the turnbuckle with the superplex and German Suplex at the same time. The finish was also timed perfectly with Knight hitting Jimmy with BFT, but Knight wasn’t able to win since Drew hit Knight with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre winning was the right call here even though I like Knight and Jimmy too.
After the win, Drew pointed at the WrestleMania sign. That win means Drew McIntyre joins John Cena, CM Punk and three more men in the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match.
Analysis: That’s going to be an incredible match. Drew won the Chamber match last year. I don’t expect it to happen again this year, but you never know for sure.
Damian Priest was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage. Priest said he’s going to eliminate Drew from the Elimination Chamber match just like he eliminated him from the Royal Rumble. Braun Strowman walked up to Priest saying that next week Priest will be in the ring with two of the baddest men in the WWE next week. Priest said that he’ll take care of Braun and Jacob next week. Braun said that next week you’re in the ring with a wild animal and a monster. Priest said he was not overlooking anything and left.
Analysis: That means next week’s Men’s Elimination Chamber match is Damian Priest vs. Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu. I like it. Priest winning that match seems likely to me.
A replay of the Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn situation from Raw is up next.
There was a commercial for the WWE 2K25 video game.
(Commercial)
A video aired from Raw showing when Kevin Owens gave Sami Zayn a package piledriver. Zayn was taken away on a stretcher.
Kevin Owens Explains Himself
Kevin Owens did a promo on his phone while sitting in the car. Owens talked about the scars on his face and the pain all over his body. Owens said that Zayn stood there and watched while Cody tried to end his career. Owens trashed Zayn for doing nothing. Owens said that he saw Zayn rushing to the aid of Roman Reigns during the Royal Rumble, but for Owens…Sami did nothing. Owens called Zayn a horrible friend, a disgusting human being and he’ll never forgive him. Owens said he’ll make Zayn pay. Owens told Zayn he’ll make him pay.
Analysis: It was a cruel promo by Owens feeling like he was let down by his friend Zayn.
The announcers talked about Sami Zayn with Joe saying that Zayn is out indefinitely due to spinal compression and extreme nerve damage due to the attack from Kevin Owens.
As Akira Tozawa made his entrance, they showed a replay of Carmelo Hayes attacking Tozawa to take him out of the Rumble. That led to IShowSpeed in the Royal Rumble and Bron Breakker nailed Speed with a huge Spear. That drew hundreds of millions of views on social media. I enjoyed that Spear a lot.
Carmelo Hayes trashed Tozawa saying he looked like Cody Rhodes was left in the dryer too long. Melo said that in Memphis they call him Ja Morant, but the difference is if there was an All-Star team he’d be selected. The fans booed that.
Analysis: This isn’t a big match or anything like that, but it makes storyline sense for it to happen since Melo attacked Tozawa in the Rumble.
Akira Tozawa vs. Carmelo Hayes
Tozawa attacked Melo on the apron. The match started and Tozawa hit a headscissors to send Melo out of the ring. Tozawa dove onto Melo on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued here on Netflix. Tozawa worked on Melo for punches followed by a dropkick. Melo tripped up Tozawa on the apron and Melo sent Tozawa into the barricade. Melo applied an armbar.
Melo lifted up Tozawa for a move, but Tozawa did a hurricanrana that sent Melo into the turnbuckle. Tozawa hit an impressive jumping DDT for a two count. Tozawa went up top, jumped off the top and Melo avoided it. Melo hit a spinning move where he gave Tozawa facebuster into the mat. Tozawa hit a spinning kick to the head. Tozawa did a t-shirt rip to pop the crowd. Tozawa went up top, Melo kicked him there and Tozawa fought back leading to a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the top for two. Melo came back with a rollup for two and Tozawa did a rollup for wo. Melo hit a clothesline to the back of the head followed by a springboard DDT. Melo went up top and hit the Nothing But Net leg drop to the back of the head for the pinfall win after about eight minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Carmelo Hayes
Analysis: **3/4 It’s good to see Carmelo Hayes pick up a win, which is rare for him as of late since he doesn’t get a lot of wins lately. Tozawa losing isn’t a surprise, but he did get plenty of offense in the match. Melo’s Nothing But Net top rope leg drop is an impressive move.
A video aired showing Royal Rumble highlights when CM Punk eliminated Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins from the Royal Rumble. Logan Paul eliminated Punk right after that. Rollins hit The Stomp on Roman on the floor, Rollins superkicked Punk and Rollins hit The Stomp on Reigns on the steel steps.
Analysis: That multiple Stomp attack by Rollins was done to give Reigns a break for the next month before Reigns comes back. It also could lead to Rollins vs. Reigns vs. Punk at WrestleMania (that’s a rumor for now), but maybe it will be just Rollins vs. Reigns.
Charlotte Flair was up next.
(Commercial)