The John Report: WWE SmackDown 10/03/25 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton facing off against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker in a big tag team match.

I usually don’t address this stuff here, but I was sad to see Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer call the Tiffany Stratton-Jade Cargill-Nia Jax match from last week’s SmackDown the worst match of the year. I think that was a ridiculous statement to make. They worked hard, they had some good spots and nearfalls, and the fans were into it. Yes, the finish was messed up because Stratton was late to break up a pin with a dropkick. That led to Jax awkwardly kicking out after the referee stopped counting. Jax went on to talk to the referee, and they improvised a finish with Stratton winning as planned. I thought the finish was poorly executed, and I did criticize them a bit, but it’s very disrespectful to say it’s the worst match of the year. It really wasn’t that bad. I don’t know what the worst match of the year is. I just think the ladies deserve credit for working hard instead of shitting on their performance because somebody was off by two seconds. Nobody is perfect. That’s life.

WWE is on the road to Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, with next week’s SmackDown on October 10th, Crown Jewel on October 11th, and Raw on October 13th airing live from Australia. Early start times for a lot of us (I believe they will be at 8 a.m. ET), but I don’t mind it at all.

From the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, this is SmackDown for episode #1362. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance for the opening promo of the show.

It’s Michael Cole and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T on commentary. Booker is filling in for Corey Graves after he was attacked by Brock Lesnar a few weeks ago. Mark Nash is the ring announcer.

Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes

The fans were singing Cody Rhodes’ song and cheering the WWE Champion a lot as usual. There were “Cody” chants before he said a word. Cody: “So Cincinnati, what do you wanna talk about?” Paul Heyman interrupted and showed up at ringside with a microphone, saying he’s glad Cody asked that question. Heyman was with Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker.

Randy Orton arrived in the ring and stood beside Cody while Reed and Breakker were on the apron. Heyman introduced himself as if we didn’t know who he was. Heyman said that he came out there to talk to Randy Orton. Heyman said that Orton doesn’t answer calls or texts. Heyman claimed they knew Orton would show up if they confronted Rhodes. Heyman said that no matter what their strategy is, the fact is they will lose to Breakker and Reed. Heyman said that’s a spoiler, not a prediction.

Heyman said when you lose tonight and they beat Rhodes, Orton is gonna look at Rhodes and say that’s the Undisputed Champion? Heyman said Orton will think he can do so much better than that. Heyman said if they beat Orton, then Orton would wonder where Cody was. Heyman told Cody and Randy that their friendship can’t last. Heyman said that’s not a prediction, that’s a prophecy. Heyman and the Bron boys left.

Analysis: It sets the stage for the tag team main event match with Paul Heyman planting the seed that perhaps Randy Orton is jealous of Cody Rhodes as WWE Champion, so maybe it will lead to The Viper turning on his partner. I think a lot of fans think that, so it’s a matter of “if” and not when. What I liked about it is that it didn’t drag on too long, and it was done in under ten minutes. Sometimes these promo segments run so long, and they don’t have to, so I like how Heyman got the point quickly.

They showed some pre-show walking of Tiffany Stratton.

Carmelo Hayes was shown walking backstage, where The Miz mentioned that Melo watched Miz get pinned last week. Melo said that Miz should have kicked out, but Miz said he took three finishers. Miz said that Melo should have watched his back. Melo told Miz that this is done. Miz didn’t seem sure about that. Melo said that normally he shoots first, and he said they’re good. Melo walked off while Miz looked angry.

Analysis: It felt like that pairing was done to turn Melo into a babyface, so we’ll see if it happens in the coming weeks. I hope it works out for him. Based on how Miz reacted, it seems likely that he’ll attack Melo soon.

Sami Zayn made his entrance as the United States Champion for an open challenge up next.

A commercial aired for WWE Crown Jewel next Saturday, October 11th, in Perth, Australia.

(Commercial)