The John Report: WWE SmackDown 10/10/25 LIVE Review
This is WWE SmackDown featuring Damian Priest facing Aleister Black, the Wyatt Sicks against The Street Profits, Tiffany Stratton teaming up with Stephanie Vaquer, and more.
It’s an Australian edition of SmackDown, and it’s 8 A.M. ET here in southern Ontario, Canada, since we are 12 hours behind Australia’s time zone, and I get the WWE shows on Netflix. That means a morning review from me for SmackDown, Crown Jewel on Saturday, and Raw on Monday since they’re all in Australia. There should be great crowds in Perth.
There was a report this week that WWE is going to make creative changes for SmackDown because they recognize that the show isn’t always as exciting. Triple H oversees the creative team, while Road Dogg remains the head writer. There will be changes made to try to improve the show. I don’t think SmackDown is that bad compared to Raw or NXT, but I would agree that it sometimes lacks excitement. They could do a better job with long-term stories as well. Anyway, we’ll see if there are noticeable changes this week or if it’s one of those things that will take a few weeks to implement.
Shoutout to my Toronto Blue Jays for beating the New York Yankees and moving on to the ALCS in the MLB playoffs. I’m so happy and proud of the Jays. For them to make it to the final four teams is impressive, considering they were in last place last season. If I don’t do a live Raw or SmackDown review in the coming weeks, it’s because I’m watching my Jays, but I’ll try to do them live as best I can.
My WWE Crown Jewel preview went up shortly after SmackDown, so check it out here in case you haven’t read it yet.
From the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, this is SmackDown for episode #1363. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
A video package aired about WWE bringing the Crown Jewel Championships from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Perth, Australia, for this year’s Crown Jewel event. Cole mentioned they traveled 7,000+ miles from Saudi Arabia to Australia.
The Men’s Crown Jewel Championship was in the ring under a case.
It’s Michael Cole on commentary with Wade Barrett. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer. That trio is likely for all three of the Australian shows.
Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes made his entrance as the Undisputed WWE Champion and the fans loved him as usual. The loud Australian crowd was cheering and singing Cody’s song. They showed a replay of Cody dropping Seth Rollins with a Cross Rhodes last week on SmackDown. The fans sang, “Cody, Cody Rhodes” after his music stopped playing, and Cody waited for them to be silent so he could speak.
Cody: “So, Perth, what do you want to talk about?” Cody said we can talk about Seth Rollins and his doom and gloom outlook on their match. Cody said that he poked fun at how Seth talked about their match at Crown Jewel. Cody said after hearing Mr. Heyman describe the actual stakes of the match, maybe Seth is right. Cody said that maybe it mirrors the story they had at WrestleMania 40 where Seth will sacrifice himself. Cody said that he might be Seth’s Achilles Heel. Cody said that dismantling this vision has fallen on his shoulders. Cody said that when you love WWE like Seth loves it, you’ll do anything to protect it. Cody said when you think you’re the only one who can carry all of this, that’s the downfall. Cody said he knows Seth doesn’t like the “QB” moniker, but Cody said that it’s a shared moniker.
Cody said that this is the best team WWE has ever assembled and if he is ever down, others can step up. Cody named other superstars like Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley (that’s a lot of R names), Jey Uso, CM Punk. The fans liked all those names. Cody said he could also be talking about Seth, which drew boos. I think the fans said, “Seth is a wanker.” Cody tossed Cole the microphone, and Wade Barrett did a promo telling Cody what they said. Wade confirmed that they were saying Seth is a wanker. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Barrett.”
Cody said he was trying to be serious. Cody said that he can’t just be any wrestler to Rollins because he has to be “The” wrestler since Cody is 3-0 against Rollins. Cody said that he has to be the guy that Seth Rollins cannot beat.
Analysis: A good babyface promo from Cody Rhodes, as usual. The crowd in Perth is hot as you would expect. Cody made similar points that he has made in the past about how Rollins can’t beat him as a way to get under Seth’s skin.
They showed some pre-show walking of Damian Priest, The Street Profits and Stephanie Vaquer was getting ready.
Stephanie Vaquer was approached by Chelsea Green, who looks a lot taller than Vaquer because she might be in some big heels. Green offered Vaquer a spot in her Secret Hervice group. Vaquer said nothing. Tiffany Stratton walked up and Green left. Vaquer tossed the paper down. Vaquer told Stratton she’ll have her back tonight, and she knows Stratton will do the same. Vaquer said that tomorrow, may the best woman win. Stratton said she’s glad they are on the same page.
Sami Zayn made his entrance as the United States Champion for an open challenge.
A commercial aired for SmackDown on October 31st in Salt Lake City and Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1st.
(Commercial)
Jacob Fatu approached Cody Rhodes backstage. Fatu said that he has respect for him. Fatu said on the other side of Crown Jewel when he’s finished with Seth Rollins, you know what’s popping with him and Fatu stared at the WWE Title. The SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, approached Fatu, shook his hand, and said he had to talk to him about something. After Nick left, Drew McIntyre showed up and threw Fatu into some objects backstage. Drew shouted at Fatu and said what did you think was gonna happen? There were WWE Officials and Aldis there to stop Drew. Drew told Aldis he needed to talk to him.
Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance to answer the Sami Zayn US Title open challenge. It was his classic WWE song and long instead of his heel look of the past. The fans sang along with it.
United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura is a three-time US Champion so he’s held it before. Nakamura hit a knee drop. Nakamura set up Zayn against the ropes and hit a sliding German Suplex. There was a break for some fans as the action continued. Zayn hit a double axhandle and a back elbow to knock Nakamura down. Zayn hit a backbreaker for a two count. Zayn chopped Nakamura a few times and Nakamura smiled at him.
The match continued with Nakamura hitting a suplex. Cole mentioned this was their eighth match together, and Zayn had a slight 4-3 edge, so the eighth match must have had a non-finish. Nakamura fired up and hit a roundhouse kick to the head. Nakamura hit a running heel kick to the face for a two count. Zayn hit an impressive leap off the ropes over Nakamura, and he hit a clothesline. Zayn went for a Blue Thunder Bomb, Nakamura slipped out of that and hit a spin kick to the face. Zayn hit a Michinoku Driver for a two count. They exchanged two counts. Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, Nakamura avoided it and Nakamura hit a knee smash to the back of the head for two. They went to another break for some fans as the action continued. Nakamura worked over Zayn with kicks to the chest. Zayn told him to “Come on” like Nakamura does. Nakamura kicked Zayn into the turnbuckle. The fans were chanting “Sami, Sami Zayn” for the US Champion. They battled by the turnbuckle as Zayn hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two count.
It was about 10 minutes into the match as Zayn and Nakamura exchanged forearms. Nakamura hit a headbutt. Nakamura blocked a move, then he landed on his feet and Nakamura hit a knee smash to the head, which led to Zayn rolling out of the ring to the floor. Nakamura left the ring. Zayn gave him an Exploder Suplex into the barricade. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on Nakamura on the floor. Zayn tossed Nakamura back into the ring before the ten count. When Zayn got into the ring, Nakamura hit a Kinshasa for one…two…and no because Zayn got his left foot on the bottom rope. You could tell that two count was coming because of how Nakamura laid on top for the cover. Nakamura hit a scissors kick to the back of the head. Somebody pulled Nakamura out of the ring and clotheslined him over the top to the floor. It went 13 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Shinsuke Nakamura (Sami Zayn remains US Champion)
Analysis: ***1/4 It was an entertaining Sami Zayn TV match as usual. As long as these matches keep getting time, they are going to be fun to watch because Zayn is so good in the ring. These guys have wrestled eachother many times over the years, so there’s a familiarity there. Nakamura looks fresh again after being off for several months and now he’s back to more of his babyface look. I enjoyed the match until the DQ finish.
The masked man was Tama Tonga with white face paint. He was joined by My Family Tree’s Talla Tonga, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa. They all had white/black face paint. Nakamura went back into the ring to try to save Zayn, but that didn’t work. Talla hit a boot to the face of Nakamura. Loa hit a clothesline on Zayn and Mateo hit a Tour of The Islands slam on Zayn. Tama hit a running elbow smash on Nakamura. Solo Sikoa showed up with his group and the fans were shouting, “F**k You, Solo” and the swearing was getting muted. Solo and the MFT’s stood over Zayn and Nakamura.
Analysis: The MFT group, led by Solo Sikoa, is back at full strength with Tama Tonga back, and Solo wants the US Title back. The face paint does make them look more intimidating, at least. Solo might regain the US title from Zayn soon.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Solo and MFTs attacking Zayn and Nakamura before the break.
Nick Aldis told a referee he wanted to see Solo Sikoa. Drew McIntyre spoke to Aldis, who said that Drew and Fatu will have a match on SmackDown next week in San Jose. Drew liked that since it is near where Fatu is from. Fatu attacked Drew, so WWE Officials showed up to break it up.
Analysis: Big match for next week with Drew facing Jacob on SmackDown. I would have liked to see that at Crown Jewel since it only has five matches, but we have to wait until SmackDown next week.
Tiffany Stratton & Stephanie Vaquer vs. Giulia & Kiana James
Stratton is the WWE Women’s Champion, and Vaquer is the Women’s World Champion. They will face off at Crown Jewel. Giulia is the Women’s US Champion.
James hit a knee to the ribs of Vaquer, who came back with a belly-to-back suplex. Vaquer got a hold of James early on and did the Devil’s Kiss knee smash into the mat. Good job by James smacking the mat ten times while the fans popped big for it. Vaquer and Giulia battled during the break for some fans. James tripped up Vaquer on the apron, so Giulia hit a belly-to-back suplex on the floor. Giulia and James made quick tags as they worked over Vaquer. James hit a body slam.
Giulia was in control with a hair toss on Vaquer. James was back in with shoulder tackles on Vaquer. Giulia was back in with a missile dropkick off the top on Vaquer for two. Vaquer hit a jawbreaker and kicked Giulia. James was back in, so Vaquer kicked her. Stratton got the hot tag and big pop as she unloaded with clotheslines. Stratton hit a cartwheel back elbow on James and a spinebuster got a two count. James and Stratton exchanged pin attempts. Stratton dropkicked James. Giulia provided a distraction, so James hit a superkick. Giulia hit a running knee on Stratton. Giulia hit a spinning sitout slam for a two count because Vaquer made the save. James threw Vaquer out of the ring. James was back in, Stratton countered James and Stratton hit an Alabama Slam to put James down. Vaquer hit a running dropkick on Giulia. Vaquer hit a double underhook knee smash on James for two because Giulia made the save. Stratton sent Giulia out of the ring. Stratton tagged herself in as Vaquer jumped off the top onto Giulia on the floor. James got a two count on Stratton. Stratton hit a rolling senton and Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever off the top on James for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Tiffany Stratton & Stephanie Vaquer
Analysis: *** A good match with the babyface team getting the win as expected since they’re the major singles champions facing off at Crown Jewel. Giulia is great in the ring, while James is an underrated talent who will get better as she gets more chances to show what she can do. James is a natural heel. Vaquer was the face in peril, Stratton got the hot tag, and the faces looked good after that. No surprise that James took the pin.
Stephanie Vaquer and Tiffany Stratton held up their titles in front of the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship that was on display.
Analysis: I think I’m picking Stratton to win the match, but if Vaquer wins, then that’s cool too.
Sol Ruca and Zaria from NXT were talking backstage when Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss approached them. Flair said that their match was impressive last week. Bliss said she’s not sure if they are ready. Zaria said if you don’t think they are ready yet then prove it, unless you are scared to risk it. Flair said it was rude, borderline disrespectful and bold. Ruca said that they respect what they have done, but somebody gave them a chance at some point, so they want an opportunity. Flair said that their request is granted. Bliss said that they are there to win. After Ruca and Zaria left, Bliss went left, Flair went right, and Bliss told Flair she went the wrong way, so Flair went back over that way to show they aren’t always on the same page.
Analysis: I don’t know if this was live, but if it was, then they flew these four women all the way to Australia to do a two-minute backstage segment to agree to a title match. Anyway, I like Sol and Zaria as a team. I think Sol can be a massive star on the main roster while Zaria does a great job as a powerhouse.
The Street Profits, with B-Fab, entered for tag team action.
(Commercial)
The Wyatt Sicks made their entrance with Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy as the WWE Tag Team Champions. They were joined by Erick Rowan and Nikki Cross. Bo Dallas wasn’t there.
WWE Tag Team Championships: Wyatt Sicks – Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy (w/Erick Rowan & Nikki Cross) vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins (w/B-Fab)
Dawkins hit a jumping back elbow on Gacy. Ford tagged in and Dawkins flipped him onto Gacy. Lumis went into the ring, so the Profits slammed him onto Gacy. Dawkins gave Gacy a back body drop across the ring. Dawkins hit double shoulder block on both opponents to send them into the barricade. They went to a break as the champions took control with a double team neckbreaker. Gacy clotheslined Dawkins, Lumis hit a senton splash and Gacy hit an elbow drop. Lumis and Gacy remained in control of Dawkins for a couple of minutes. Dawkins brought Ford in, so Ford hit a clothesline, a kick and a top rope cross body block on Gacy for two. The Profits hit their spinebuster/neckbreaker combo for two because Lumis made the save.
There was a battle by the turnbuckle with the champs trying to take care of Ford, but Dawkins held Gacy and Lumis on his shoulders. Ford jumped off the top with a Blockbuster on both opponents. Dawkins covered Gacy, so Cross put Gacy’s foot on the bottom rope. B-Fab knocked Cross down. Rowan intimidated B-Fab on the floor, so Ford hit a somersault dive onto Rowan on the floor. Dawkins hit the spinebuster on Gacy. Dawkins hit a somersault dive over the top onto Rowan. Ford went for From The Heavens off the top, but Lumis pulled Gacy out of the ring. Lumis and Gacy hit The Plague (suplex into a Powerbomb) on Ford for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Wyatt Sicks – Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy
Analysis: ***1/4 A match that was full of action. The Wyatt Sicks benefitted from Nikki Cross and Erick Rowan being on the floor since Dawkins dove onto Rowan and couldn’t make the save for Ford. I liked the match because it was fast-paced. The champions retaining was fine with me, although I wonder what’s next for The Street Profits. Perhaps it is time to break them up and see what they can do in singles. A move to Raw could also help them because it would be fresh for them after years on SmackDown.
The Wyatt Sicks were in the ring when the MFT’s arrived for a confrontation. The fans chanted, “Holy S**t” for that face off. Solo Sikoa walked in front of the Wyatt Sicks, so the fans chanted, “F**k you, Solo” at him, and it got muted. Nikki Cross got in Solo’s face. Solo called for his guys to leave. Solo told them that the MFTs are back.
Analysis: There’s a tease for the MFTs going after the WWE Tag Team Titles. The Wyatt Sicks are a group that can be heelish at times, but they can also be faces, which means they are tweeners. I can see the MFTs getting the titles from them soon.
The Miz was asked by Cathy Kelley why he turned on Carmelo Hayes. Miz said he wanted to mentor Melo like Miz never had in WWE. Miz noted that Melo had the audacity to say that he didn’t have time for The Miz. That led to Miz bragging about his credentials. Miz said that Melo blew it. Miz said that the closer you get to him, the more you find out who the real star is. Miz told Melo he missed. Miz got mad at Cathy for not wishing him a happy birthday and left.
Analysis: That was a strong promo from The Miz, reminding us that he’s an arrogant heel. I think this storyline will be good for Carmelo Hayes becoming a babyface, and it’s a role he can thrive in.
A video package aired about the Aleister Black-Damian Priest match leading to their Last Man Standing Match. That match is next.
A commercial aired for John Cena’s final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th in Washington, DC.
(Commercial)
There was a clip from the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show from early in the day when Seth Rollins and The Vision were on the stage. As Heyman handed Rollins a microphone to speak, Rollins chose to walk away and leave instead.
The announcers did a rundown of the Crown Jewel card.
* 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
* Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
* Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane
* John Cena vs. AJ Styles
It’s an 8 a.m. ET start for those of us in North America. Good for fans in Europe since it’s an afternoon show.
Damian Priest made his entrance for the main event and he was cheered by the fans. Aleister Black was up next as Cole noted it was the 13th Last Man Standing Match on SmackDown.
Last Man Standing Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
The winner is the man who beats his opponent so badly that he cannot answer the referee’s ten count.
Priest attacked Black with strikes and threw him out of the ring. Priest sent Black into the steel steps. Priest picked up the steps and hit Black in the head with them. Priest hit Black with the steel steps again. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. They were fighting by the entrance area where Priest into a lighting structure. Priest went for a running attack, Black moved and Priest hit a part of the set. Black kicked and punched Priest a few times. Black hit a jumping knee. Black sent Priest into the steel barricade. Black sent Priest into the barricade in the aisle. Priest came back with punches. Black sent Priest into the ring apron.
The match continued with Black trying to use a kendo stick, but Priest kicked him. Priest sent Black into the barricade. Priest hit a lifting flatliner into the mat. Black hit a knee to the face. The steel steps were in the ring, so Black did a sweep kick to send Priest into the steel steps. Black jumped off the steps, Priest caught him and Black hit a knee to the face to block a move. Black hit a double knee Meteora attack to send Priest back-first onto the steel steps. Ouch! That was a rough bump that sounded loud. Priest was back up at the 7-count. Priest got a hold of the charging Black and Priest sent Black face first into the edge of the steel steps. Priest charged, Black pulled down the top rope and they left the ring. Black did a sunset flip Powerbomb to send Priest into the steel steps. Black rammed Priest’s head into the steel steps repeatedly. Priest got back up at the count of 7 as Black charged and Priest hit a shoulder tackle to send Black onto the commentary table at ringside. Good bump there! They went to a break for some fans as Priest remained in control. Priest picked up the steel steps and tried to toss them onto Black on the floor, but Black avoided them. Priest clapped the ears of Black, Priest hit a splash against the turnbuckle and a shoulder tackle. Priest hit a clothesline, leading to Black doing a flip bump.
Black got back up and Priest hit Black in the leg with a kendo stick. Priest tried some rope walking, so Black hit him with a kendo stick of his own. Black pulled Priest off the top and hit a knee to the jaw to knock Priest out of the ring. They were fighting on the floor as Black grabbed a steel chair and hit Priest in the body with it. Priest got a hold of Black and gave him a Chokeslam on the apron. Priest gave Black a Razor’s Edge onto the commentary table. The table didn’t break because they are strong tables now. The fans chanted, “One more time” because they wanted to see the table break. Referee Ryan Tran got to 9 and Black rolled off the table to get to his feet. Priest gave Black another Razor’s Edge on the commentary table, which didn’t break again. The referee counted Black down again, but Black got to his feet again while his back was against the commentary table. Priest tossed Black over the barricade. They went fighting over to some staging area by the fans. Priest gave Black a Broken Arrow slam onto a box that had a lot of equipment around it. I don’t know what kind of table it was. Zelina Vega showed up to support her husband, Black, and she handed something to him. Black told her to leave. As Priest tried a move, Black threw a fireball into Priest’s face! Black hit Priest with a Black Mass kick that knocked Priest off the apparatus they were on and Priest bumped through a table on the floor. The referee counted Priest down while Black was hugged by his wife Vega. It went about 18 minutes.
Winner: Aleister Black
Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was an excellent Last Man Standing Match with a nice twist at the end. Black getting an assist from his wife Zelina Vega was not what people likely expected, but it works for the storyline to have a heel like Black cheat to win because he knew he couldn’t beat Priest fairly. The fans really got into it although they wanted to see a table breaking spot, and that didn’t happen. I assume we’ll see that in the Roman Reigns/Bronson Reed match at Crown Jewel. Anyway, I went into this thinking that Priest was probably going to win to end the storyline, but instead it was Black getting the cheap victory, which again fits his character as a crafty heel. These guys worked hard and I liked the match a lot.
ZELINA VEGA HELPS ALEISTER BLACK DEFEAT DAMIEN PRIEST!!!
I AM DOWN FOR A ZELINA VEGA HEEL TURN #Smackdownpic.twitter.com/YEdK8d2tXg
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) October 10, 2025
Damian Priest was getting checked on by WWE Officials and medical personnel. They replayed the key spots in the match.
Aleister Black walked away with Zelina Vega while Priest was getting checked on. The announcers didn’t mention that Black was married to Vega. Black trash talked a fallen Priest to end the show.
Analysis: I like the pairing of Aleister Black and Zelina Vega since they’ve been married since 2018, so there’s obviously going to be some good chemistry for them on screen, too. Vega wasn’t doing anything else, and her babyface run had kind of died down, so you might as well put her with her husband. I like it. Black is a guy who can certainly win a midcard title and maybe be a main eventer someday.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Aleister Black
- Damian Priest
- Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura
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The Scoreboard
7.5 out of 10
Last week: 7.75
2025 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown
I enjoyed the show quite a bit. The main event between Aleister Black and Damian Priest was a very entertaining match with a surprise ending because Zelina Vega helped Black win by using a fireball when he needed it most. What a good wife she is.
The Sami Zayn/Shinsuke Nakamura match was entertaining as usual, and the MFTs showed up to ruin that. The Tag Team Title match was also pretty solid. The women’s tag was fine too. They did a nice job of reinventing the MFTs a bit by having the face paint look to make them look more badass, and Tama Tonga’s return strengthens that group.
I thought it was a good crowd in Perth. One thing I can say about writing these morning show reviews is that I’m a lot more alert after a good night’s sleep. Sometimes, when it’s late at night after a long day, it’s tough writing about these shows when you are tired. A coffee and some wrasslin’ watching is not a bad way to start the day. I will do it again for Crown Jewel on Saturday and Raw on Monday, too.
My WWE Crown Jewel preview went up shortly after SmackDown, so check it out here in case you haven’t read it yet.
The next WWE PLE is Crown Jewel on October 11th. Here’s the lineup.
* 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
* Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
* Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane
You can watch WWE Crown Jewel, STREAMING LIVE from Perth on Saturday, October 11th at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
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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