The John Report: WWE SmackDown 09/26/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown featuring a Tiffany Stratton-Nia Jax-Jade Cargill triple threat match, words from Cody Rhodes, and a whole lot more.
The WWE Wrestlepalooza PLE took place last Saturday with Cody Rhodes retaining the Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in the main event. That was the lone SmackDown match on the show.
I also wrote a feature article offering WWE some advice, providing five simple ideas to improve the quality of WWE Premium Live Events. I think these realistic changes would make WWE PLEs more enjoyable to watch.
From the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, this is SmackDown for episode #1362. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There was some pre-show walking featuring Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, and Sami Zayn.
The commentary team was Michael Cole and Booker T, who is filling in for Corey Graves after Corey was attacked by Brock Lesnar. Corey has four kids with a fifth on the way, so he’s a busy guy. Enjoy the break. Mark Nash is the ring announcer.
There was a Wrestlepalooza video package.
Let’s Hear from Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman was in the ring, saying he had a lot to talk about. Paul did the Cody Rhodes line asking, “What do you wanna talk about?” Paul wondered if they wanted to talk about the World Heavyweight Champion, Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The fans booed that. There were “OTC” chants for Roman Reigns, so Heyman mentioned Reigns got stretchered out of Paris because of Bronson Reed. Heyman mentioned Bron Breakker as somebody who will main event many WrestleManias and lead WWE into the future. Heyman also mentioned Brock Lesnar…and here’s the interruption from Cody Rhodes.
Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes…and Paul Heyman
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance to a big pop. Cody was wearing a suit, and he was wearing his Crown Jewel Championship ring. Cody will face Seth Rollins in a Crown Jewel Championship match at Crown Jewel on October 11th in Perth, Australia. There were “Cody, Cody Rhodes” chants before the champ spoke.
Cody Rhodes spoke about how he misspoke last week because he said he called Heyman a goon, but Heyman is not a goon. Cody mentioned Brock Lesnar, which led to an image of Heyman introducing Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. Cody wondered if that looked like the face of somebody, if that was a one-night thing. Cody wanted to know if he was talking to the Oracle, the Wiseman or the Advocate. Heyman said that you’re talking to the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Heyman said that, as the Greatest of All-Time, he respects the fact that Cody is confronting him about Brock Lesnar. Heyman said Cody knows when Lesnar is here, everybody is in danger. Heyman said he had good news as Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed showed up at ringside, and then they got into the ring with Cody, so Heyman left.
Cody said he guesses it’s about time. Cody said he keeps hearing about how Bron is the future of the business and how dangerous Reed is. Cody said that he bets Heyman tells both guys that they are WrestleMania main eventers. Cody said he grew up around bookers, and you can tell why they were doing what they were doing. Cody said, but what you can’t figure out is who Paul Heyman is loyal to. Cody told Bron it isn’t him.
Bron took his shirt off, and Cody took off his jacket, and Cody threw his watch to Booker. Cody punched Bron and Reed. Cody avoided a splash by Reed. Cody held Reed, looking for Cross Rhodes, but Bron hit a leaping clothesline. Randy Orton’s music hit as The Viper walked down to the ring and Cody worked over Reed with punches. Orton punched Bron a few times, Bron shoved him, and Orton hit a RKO on Reed. Cody clotheslined Bron out of the ring. Orton picked up the WWE Title, looked at it, and handed it to Cody. They stood tall in the ring.
Analysis: It’s a classic way to set up a tag team match. We have seen Bron and Reed against a lot of Raw’s top faces, but not against SmackDown’s top faces like Cody and Orton, so it at least feels fresh in terms of the people involved. I like how Cody made some valid points about how Paul Heyman isn’t a loyal guy, so even though Heyman might talk up guys like Bron and Reed, Cody was right to say that Heyman will lie to them. Cody is one of the better talkers in WWE, and he showed it again here.
The Street Profits were backstage for an interview with Cathy Kelley, who tried to ask about tension. Montez Ford said that they are past that. Angelo Dawkins said that they have each other’s backs. Ford shut down people who thought it was over, and they did their “we want the smoke” line to end it. The Profits made their entrance for tag team action.
(Commercial)
They showed Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Noah Lyles at ringside.
WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Melo Don’t Miz – Carmelo Hayes & The Miz vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
Ford and Melo exchanged some pin attempts. Ford hit a dropkick. Dawkins tagged in with a shoulder tackle. The Profits slammed Miz onto Hayes. The Profits hit a double clothesline to send Miz out of the ring. Dawkins ran at Miz on the floor, but Melo hit a dropkick. The heels were in control as the show went to a break for some fans. I’ll take a break too as Miz and Melo made quick tags as they isolated Dawkins.
The match continued with Ford getting a clothesline, a suplex and a standing moonsault for two. Ford punched Melo on the apron, so Miz hit a DDT on Ford for two. Miz hit a corner clothesline, followed by Melo hitting a clothesline for two. Miz kicked Ford and Melo hit a leg drop, so Miz got a two count. Ford hit an enziguri kick on Miz. Melo tagged in, punched Dawkins off the apron and Melo punched Ford repeatedly. Ford tried to break free, but Melo tackled him into the turnbuckle. Ford tossed Miz out of the ring. Miz pulled Dawkins off the apron to prevent a tag. Melo hit the First 48 double knee attack. Melo went up top, Miz tagged himself in, and Melo wondered what Miz was doing. Dawkins got the tag, he punched Miz and Melo was crotched on the top rope. Dawkins hit a corkscrew elbow on Miz. Dawkins with a splash, jumping kick and a spinning neckbreaker. Dawkins with a spinebuster and Ford hit the From The Heavens splash (Frog Splash) on Miz for the pinfall win. Melo could have made the save, but he didn’t want to do it and he stayed on the floor. It went about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins
Analysis: *** A good match that will likely lead to Carmelo Hayes going babyface since he doesn’t like working with The Miz, and we know Miz usually stays in the heel role. Melo didn’t like Miz tagging himself in, so Melo chose not to save Miz when he needed him. The Profits worked well together as usual to get the easy win.
The Wyatt Sicks, including WWE Tag Team Champions Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis, were at ringside on the commentary table to stare at The Street Profits.
Jade Cargill was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Jade said that she is so sick of these women and it’ll feel so good when she becomes the new WWE Women’s Champion. Stephanie Vaquer appeared with the Women’s World Title and Jade said that when she becomes champion, a storm will be coming Vaquer’s way at Crown Jewel. Vaquer said she’ll be ready for her. Jade left.
The team of Women’s US Champion Giulia and Kiana James entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
Michin & B-Fab vs. Giulia & Kiana James
The team of Michin and B-Fab was in control against James early on as B-Fab hit a spin kick, while Michin hit a cannonball. James broke free, and Giulia tagged in, leading to a dropkick. Michin ducked Giulia and hit a dropkick. Michin hit a running hurricanrana on Giulia. B-Fab tagged in with a kick on Giulia. Giulia bailed to the floor, B-Fab clotheslined James on the floor. Giulia hit B-Fab with a forearm. Giulia tossed Michin over the commentary table. Michin hit a dropkick off the commentary table on Giulia on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued with the heel side in control.
It was the heel team in control as Giulia hit a headbutt and James hit a running kick. Giulia hit a missile dropkick off the top onto B-Fab for two. James was back in going for an elbow, but B-Fab moved. B-Fab hit a side kick to knock James down. Michin tagged in with clotheslines, along with a kick and a Tornado DDT for a two count. B-Fab hit a pump kick on Giulia and James superkicked B-Fab out of the ring. Michin got a rollup for two. James hit a forearm, Michin with a headbutt and James did an eye rake. Michin hit Eat Defeat on James, Giulia tagged in and hit the knee to the face. Giulia hit a Northern Lights Bomb on Michin for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Giulia & Kiana James
Analysis: **3/4 It was a solid tag team match. The fans weren’t into it the whole way, but they got into it a bit more by the end. Giulia getting the win should mean that Michin and B-Fab are not contenders for the Women’s US Title, but it feels like Michin has been going for that title since the end of last year, when Chelsea Green won it. I’m hopeful that they find somebody else to go after Giulia because the Women’s US Title isn’t featured enough, so it would be nice if they found a new challenger for it. James and Giulia worked very well as a team.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were backstage watching the match while holding the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Sol Ruca and Zaria from NXT walked up to them, saying they wanted a title shot. Flair told Zaria she hasn’t earned it. Alexa Bliss said that they are talented, but they don’t look or act like a team. Bliss said that if you want to get into the ring with them, you have to prove yourself, but until then, get in line. Flair told them to leave. Flair said that was harsh, and she’s super proud because she taught Bliss well.
Analysis: I like the Ruca/Zaria team in NXT. With that said, I think they’ll implode and break up soon, which will lead to Zaria going heel, and she’ll take the Women’s NXT North American Title from Ruca.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance. He had a protective boot on his right leg as he slowly walked toward the ring. Drew put his foot through a table at Wrestlepalooza, so he was selling that spot. That’s the end of hour one.
(Commercial)
A video aired about the Crown Jewel Championship matches at the Crown Jewel PLE. It focused on Cody Rhodes against Seth Rollins to see who is the better man. Stephanie Vaquer was also shown as the Women’s World Champion. They also showed John Cena and AJ Styles.
Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre said that this is the same arena where he returned to WWE in 2017. Drew said that it’s the same arena where he beat Randy Orton in front of a bunch of screens to become a two-time WWE Champion. Drew said he should have walked out here as the WWE Champion, but he’s not a champion because of Cody Rhodes. Drew said that Cody was a master chess player. Drew said that a referee took six seconds to count a pinfall he had. Drew said that he had Cody dead to rights through the commentary table, but the referee stopped that. Drew said that it’s not a DQ, so the referee protected him, and Drew said it cost him the WWE Title. Drew wondered if the refs worked for WWE or for Cody Rhodes. Drew complained about corruption.
Nick Aldis, the SmackDown General Manager, showed up to tell Drew not to make excuses. Nick said he wondered where Drew’s boot came from because it wasn’t from WWE’s Medical Team. Drew said he had his own medical team. Nick said that Drew’s thinking that he’s not the WWE Champion because of corruption is wrong. Nick said he’s done with it, and he went to the back. Drew kept on complaining.
Jacob Fatu made his return after a few weeks off, and the fans popped for the Samoan Werewolf. Fatu got in the ring with McIntyre for a staredown. McIntyre was about to say something, but Fatu told him to shut up. Fatu told Drew to stop bitching. Fatu said that Drew comes out here every week to cry, complain, and blame everybody else for his wrongdoing. Fatu told Drew to sit his pegleg ass down. Drew fired back, saying that Fatu has had a great run in the last year, yet Fatu is here trying to punk him out. Drew said if he wasn’t hurt right now. Fatu wondered what he would do because Fatu is all gas and no brakes. Drew hit a Glasgow Kiss headbutt, so Fatu came back with a superkick. Fatu took Drew’s boot off, and Fatu hit Drew in the head (sort of) with the boot. Drew sold it like he was out on the mat while Fatu left.
Analysis: That’s an easy way to set up a new rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. I think Drew is arguably the best performer in WWE, while Fatu is a guy that the fans love, so it’s going to work as a new rivalry. If Fatu wins when they have a match, then he’s a guy who can be elevated, while Drew would get some momentum back if he were to win. I thought Fatu standing up to Drew and calling out his complaining was great. Well done by both guys.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was shown backstage getting ready when Stephanie Vaquer showed up with her title. Vaquer said she’ll watch Stratton tonight. Vaquer said maybe they’ll meet in the ring at Crown Jewel. Stratton said that Vaquer will be in the ground, and Stratton will be the Crown Jewel Champion. Vaquer said, “We’ll see,” and left.
The US Champion Sami Zayn was talking to Rey Fenix about their great match from a few weeks ago. Zayn thanked him for it. They wondered who could answer Zayn’s challenge this week. Zayn said it could be anybody from SmackDown, even Raw, and they are in Orlando, so that suggested it could be somebody from NXT. Shinsuke Nakamura was shown walking in the background.
Sami Zayn made his entrance as the US Champion, and he got a big pop as usual.
(Commercial)
Solo Sikoa was seated at a table with Tonga Loa and JC Mateo behind him. Solo talked about how JC Mateoa believes in Solo and Solo loves him for that. Solo said JC that his loyalty will be rewarded as long as you are a part of Solo’s My Family Tree. JC put his hand on Solo’s shoulder and said he loved him.
Analysis: That’s nice to express your love for things. I love the pasta I had for dinner. Really good. I also love the Toronto Blue Jays being first in the American League.
The rising NXT star Je’Von Evans made his entrance as the opponent for Sami Zayn. Your boy is bouncy! I’m excited. Evans is one of my favorite people in NXT and at 22 years old, Evans has a very bright future.
United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Je’Von Evans
They showed Josh Briggs at ringside. He is facing Evans at NXT No Mercy on Saturday night. Check out my NXT No Mercy preview here.
Evans and Zayn took turns connecting with chops early on. Zayn sent Evans to the turnbuckle, but Evans went to the apron and Evans hit a springboard clothesline for two. Evans hit a springboard hurricanrana for two. Evans dropkicked Zayn out of the ring. Evans bounced off the ropes and Zayn hit a clothesline to stop that. They went to a break for some fans as Zayn worked over Evans with chops. Zayn hit an elbow drop. After a chinlock by Zayn, Evans went for a leaping move, but Zayn put him down with a Powerbomb-style move. Zayn chopped Evans again. Zayn hit a back body drop.
The action continued with Evans sending Zayn out of the ring, and Evans hit a dive over the top onto Zayn on the floor. Back in the ring, Evans avoided a Blue Thunder Bomb, but Evans managed o hit a spinning kick. They battled by the turnbuckle, Zayn knocked Evans down, Zayn went up top and Evans hit a top rope hurricanrana for a two count. That was close! The fans were getting into it with “This is awesome” chants. Evans went for a punch, Zayn caught him, and Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn charged, but Evans hit a jumping knee to the face. Evans went up top and went for a spinning corkscrew splash, but Zayn avoided it. Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, Evans avoided it and Evans jumped off the top with the OG Cutter for just two! That was an awesome two count. The fans chanted, “Ref, you suck” for that. Evans kicked Zayn in the head. Evans jumped off the top, Zayn avoided it and Evans went to the turnbuckle. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick and a Blue Thunder Bomb for the pinfall win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Sami Zayn
Analysis: ***3/4 Awesome match, and it wasn’t a surprise to me because I know how talented Evans is, so of course he was able to hang on to win there with a talented veteran like Zayn. The fans thought Evans was going to win when he hit that OG Cutter off the top rope, so I liked that as a nearfall because it worked so well in terms of getting a reaction. Zayn retaining is how I figured it would go and it’s the fourth straight week with Zayn having a great match. I like these US Title Open Challenges every week. It helps the show.
After the match, Sami Zayn hugged Je’Von Evans and urged the fans to cheer Evans for his performance. The fans cheered, and Zayn left.
Nia Jax was backstage walking for her match. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre asked Jax if she wanted to be part of Green’s Secret Hervice. Jax ripped up the paper, so Green and Fyre left angry. Stephanie Vaquer showed up. Jax said she could drop Vaquer right now, but she’d rather wait until Crown Jewel when Jax is the WWE Women’s Champion.
(Commercial)
Damian Priest was shown walking backstage when he saw Kit Wilson in a wheelchair and his arm in a sling. Aleister Black was in the background, but then they shot from another angle and Black was gone. Wilson shoved Priest and told him he was toxic. Priest, “Bitches be tripping, huh?” Black was behind Priest, he said Priest must be looking for him and Black hit a Black Mass kick to the head. Black said that it looks like we’re getting somewhere, but he feels like they’ll only do this until one of them is left standing. Black wished Priest a happy birthday.
Analysis: The feud keeps going on and I assume an endpoint is coming soon. Happy birthday, Priest.
The entrances took place for the main event with Jade Cargill up first, Nia Jax next, and Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton last.
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill
There are no disqualifications and no countouts in a triple threat match. The first pinfall or submission wins.
Jax knocked Jade down and then Jax slammed Stratton onto Jade. After Jade and Jax exchanged some holds, Jax hit a dropkick to knock Jade out of the ring. They went to a break for some fans. Stratton dropkicked Jade into the turnbuckle, along with a cartwheel elbow against the turnbuckle. Jax was back to run over Stratton with a body attack. Jade tried a lift, but Stratton knocked them down. Stratton sent Jax into the ring post. Stratton hit a knee on Jade for two. Jade hit a suplex on Stratton. Jax pulled Jade out of the ring and Jax threw Jade into the barricade. The fans chanted for a table, Jax teased it and then Jax did a middle finger salute.
Jax and Jade were on the floor, so Stratton tried a suicide dive, but Stratton was caught in the ropes a bit. Jade picked up Stratton and hit a fallaway slam. Jax shoved Jade into the ring post. Jax splashed Stratton twice against the turnbuckle. Jade was back in to shove Jax down. Jade and Stratton exchanged moves as Jade hit a pumphandle slam for two and Jax broke up the pin. Jade went for a submission move, but Stratton got out of it. Jax hit a leg drop off the middle ropes, Stratton came back with a dropkick on Jax. Stratton went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb on Jax. Jade superkicked Stratton onto Jade for a two count. They went on a break there. There was action during the break for some fans as Jax went for an Annihilator, but Stratton and Jade moved. Stratton went for the moonsault, Jade tripped her up and Jade stomped on Jax a bit. Jax hit a running hip attack for a two count.
The match continued with Stratton and Jad on the middle turnbuckle and they superplexed Jax together, so all three women were down. Stratton gave Jade a rolling senton by the turnbuckle. Stratton went up top and hit a Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Jax for a two count because Jade made the save. Jade hit a knee to the ribs, but Stratton came back with a hurricanrana. Stratton went for a cartwheel attack against the turnbuckle, but Jade caught her and Jade hit Jaded for two because Jax pulled the referee out of the ring. Jade kicked Jax and cleared off the commentary table. Jax sent Jade into the steel steps. Jade got a hold of Jax on the steel steps, and Jade hit a Samoan Drop on Jax on the steel steps. Jade was bleeding from above the eye. The referee was running around the ring, giving the women time cues. Back in the ring, Jade hit the Eye of the Storm spinning slam on Jax for two. Stratton dropkicked Jade. Stratton covered Jax for two because the referee, Daphanie LaShaunn, stopped counting even though Jax didn’t move. Jax talked to the referee. The fans booed that botched finish. Stratton elbowed Jax. Stratton went up top and hit Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Jax for the pinfall win after about 14 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Tiffany Stratton
Analysis: *** It was a messed-up finish, and that hurts the match obviously. I’m not sure what happened because Stratton had Jax pinned, the referee counted it and Jax didn’t kick out, but the referee stopped her count, so it looked like it was a mistake by Jax. After that, they talked it out, the referee must have said something and Stratton hit her finish on Jax for the win. I thought they were on their way to have a pretty good, 3.5* style match, but then it had that mistake at the end and it’s hard for me to go that high for it. A win for Stratton is what I expected. Jade is protected since Jax took the pin.
Tiffany Stratton celebrated the win. It’s official for Crown Jewel: Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer against WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton.
Stephanie Vaquer walked out with the Women’s World Title to stare at the WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. Stratton and Vaquer held up their titles while the fans cheered. That was the end of the show.
Analysis: It could go either way at Crown Jewel. I’m leaning towards picking Stratton to win, but it really doesn’t matter much since it’s a one-day title that means very little in WWE storylines.
===
Three Stars of the Show
- Sami Zayn
- Je’Von Evans
- Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre
===
The Scoreboard
7.25 out of 10
Last week: 7
2025 Average: 7.34
===
Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown
A solid show for the most part, but not a great show either. SmackDown is just okay these days. I think Raw is better most weeks.
I liked the Sami Zayn-Je’Von Evans match the best. The women’s triple threat main event was going well, but then there was the obvious botched finish, and that hurt it. Tiffany Stratton winning was what I expected, so now she’s against Stephanie Vaquer at Crown Jewel.
I liked the angle that was done to start a new rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. I like seeing Fatu in a spot like that.
The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on October 11th. Here’s the lineup so far.
* Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins
* Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer
* John Cena vs. AJ Styles
===
Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Rams. You can contact me using any of the methods below.
John Canton
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @johnreport