The John Report: WWE SmackDown 10/17/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown, featuring Cody Rhodes kicking off the show, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defending their titles, Sami Zayn in action, and more.
The WWE Crown Jewel PLE took place last Saturday in Perth, Australia, and now the superstars of SmackDown are back in the US. We are on the road to Survivor Series on November 29, which is over a month away. There’s also a Saturday Night’s Main Event special on November 1st, so there will probably be some big matches set up for that event soon.
From the SAP Center in San Jose, California, this is SmackDown for episode #1364. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
A video package aired showing Seth Rollins beating Cody Rhodes at Crown Jewel. They also showed The Vision destroying CM Punk to end Raw. It also included Bron Breakker turning on Rollins, which led to Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman joining Breakker against Rollins. That’s how Raw ended.
The SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, was in the ring welcoming us to the show. Aldis said that there was a match scheduled between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu. Aldis said that the match is now a number one contender’s match for the WWE Championship, so the winner will face this man: Cody Rhodes.
Let’s Hear from Cody Rhodes
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance in dress clothes as usual. The fans were loud for Cody as usual, and they were singing his “Kingdom” song.
Cody Rhodes said that at Crown Jewel, Seth Rollins beat him for the Crown Jewel Championship. Cody said it split Seth to the bone to do so. Cody said that they never need to be in the ring ever again, but you guys know that’s not how it works around here. Cody said that Rollins has issues with The Brons and The Oracle. Cody said he’s going to handle SmackDown business and held up the WWE Title. Cody spoke about how he was going to watch a #1 Contender’s Match. Cody heard the GM ask who is going to be between the “Scottish Warrior” Drew McIntyre (crowd boos) or will it be Jacob Fatu? The fans liked him a lot. Cody said that the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event runs through San Jose. Cody’s music played to end it.
Analysis: A simple and generic promo from the WWE Champion. There wasn’t much to it.
It’s Vic Joseph on commentary with Corey Graves. I guess they gave Michael Cole the week off since he did three shows over the last week. Congrats to Graves on having a new baby boy with his wife, the former WWE superstar Carmella. In storyline, Graves is back after missing about a month when Brock Lesnar attacked him with the F5 twice. The ring announcer was Mark Nash.
Analysis: I think Vic Joseph is great on commentary, and I have enjoyed him on NXT every week for several years now. He is more than capable on the main roster shows.
Rey Fenix was shown getting photos taken. Solo Sikoa approached and told Fenix to get out there. Fenix was beaten up by Solo and his MFT group. Some WWE Officials showed up to break it up.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance for their Women’s Tag Team Title match.
(Commercial)
The NXT team of Zaria and Sol Ruca, aka Zaruca, made their entrance, and there wasn’t much of a reaction, but they are a good team. They showed NXT’s Blake Monroe at ringside since she’s facing Sol Ruca at Halloween Havoc.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
Flair and Ruca locked up first as two super-athletic women. Flair kicked Zaria on the apron. Ruca hit a kick, but then Flair came back with a kick. Bliss tagged in with a headscissors. Zaria slammed Bliss off her back. Bliss tried a move, but Zaria hit a spinebuster, and the fans booed that even though Zaria and Ruca are faces. I think the fans think of Flair and Bliss as more of the faces in this match. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. The action during the break saw Bliss isolated from her partner for a few minutes.
Zaria worked over Bliss with some choking by the turnbuckle, but then Bliss hit some elbows and kicks to break free. Zaria pulled Bliss back to prevent a tag. Ruca hit a spinning slam on Bliss. Zaria and Ruca tried a double team move, but Bliss avoided it. Flair finally got the hot tag and was on fire with a double cross body block. Flair hit some chops on both opponents. Flair hit a cartwheel clothesline. Flair superkicked Zaria three times and hit an overhead suplex. Flair hit a backbreaker and sent Zaria into the turnbuckle for a two count. Ruca got the tag and hit a springboard clothesline, along with two elbow smashes. Ruca hit a German Suplex. Flair caught a leaping Ruca and applied a Boston Crab submission. Ruca countered with a pin attempt for a two count. Ruca sent Flair into the turnbuckle and Ruca hit her incredible Soul Snatcher for the two count because Bliss broke up the pin. Bliss tried a hurricanrana on Zaria, but Zaria caught her and sent Bliss into the barricade. Flair kicked Zaria on the floor. Ruca jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault onto Flair. Ruca saw Blake Monroe cheering in the crowd, so Flair hit a chop block to Ruca. Flair sent Ruca into the ring and applied the Figure Four submission, let go and hit a knee drop. Flair applied the Figure Eight, and Ruca tapped out to give Flair the win. It went about 12 minutes.
Winners by submission: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
Analysis: ***1/4 A pretty good match with the challengers getting plenty of offense throughout the match, but then Ruca was distracted by Monroe at ringside and Flair capitalized to get the win. It was mostly a standard tag team match with Bliss as the face in peril for most of it, Flair got the hot tag, Ruca hit her finisher, but Bliss was there to break up the pin. There needs to be some heel teams for Flair and Bliss to face as the champions, but I don’t mind competitive title defenses like this.
After the match, Flair and Bliss shook hands with their opponents.
Jacob Fatu welcomed Cody Rhodes to the Bay Area and to the Shark Tank. Fatu said when he’s finished dog walking Drew, he’ll show Cody that Jacob is all gas and no brakes with it. Cody said he hopes he was right. While Fatu spoke to Cody, we could see Drew McIntyre watching on in the background.
Up next is a look back at the Aleister Black-Damian Priest match from last week, when Zelina Vega helped Black win.
(Commercial)
Aleister Black was featured in a video saying that for weeks and months, he has been setting it in motion. Black was with his wife, Zelina Vega. Black said that this was always part of the plan and Vega said it was always by design. Black said that they are the necessary evil, the balance, and Vega said that the venom isn’t poison, it’s salvation.
Analysis: I like the pairing a lot, especially because Black and Vega are a married couple who are probably thrilled to be working together. It makes Black more dangerous and freshens up Vega as well.
A clip was shown of the MFTs, led by Solo Sikoa, attacking Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura.
The Miz was backstage talking to SD GM Nick Aldis, saying he wanted something to be big. Aldis agreed to it. Sami Zayn walked into the office and Aldis explained why Zayn isn’t scheduled to be on the show tonight. Aldis said he wanted Nakamura to have another shot, but the MFTs are causing problems and Nakamura is still in Japan. Zayn got fired up, saying that this US Title means a lot to him and he wanted to defend his title. Zayn said if anybody wants a piece, they know where to find him. Zayn left. Aldis asked Miz if he needed anything else and Miz said he’s good. Miz left.
A commercial aired for NXT Halloween Havoc next Saturday, October 25th.
(Commercial)
Sami Zayn made his entrance as the US Champion, and the fans popped for him as usual.
The Miz walked out to answer the US Title Open Challenge, saying he was so sick of the open challenges. Carmelo Hayes attacked Miz from behind by throwing him into the LED video board and officials took them to the back.
Analysis: The Miz attacked Melo when he tried to answer the open challenge, so it was payback for Melo to continue that rivalry.
Ilja Dragunov made his return after being out of action for more than a year with a knee injury. Dragunov had a big brace on his right knee. Ilja was last on Raw, but now he’s a SmackDown guy and that’s certainly fine with me.
Analysis: Ilja Dragunov is one of my favorite wrestlers in WWE in the last few years, especially from his NXT run. I’m so glad he’s back.
United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
They shook hands and exchanged punches. Ilja hit an elbow smash and Zayn came back with a clothesline. Ilja has a tattoo on his upper chest. Zayn punched Ilja, who jumped up with a kick to the head. Ilja hit a running boot to the head. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. Ilja hit a senton splash with his back crashing onto Zayn for two. Ilja went to the turnbuckle and Zayn punched him off the apron to the floor. Zayn suplexed Ilja from the apron into the ring. Zayn worked over Ilja with chops and punches.
Zayn was in control with a running clothesline. Ilja hit some punches, but Zayn hit a Tornado DDT out of the corner. Zayn charged and Ilja hit a jumping knee smash for a two count. Ilja hit two German Suplexes, Zayn broke free and rolled up Ilja for a two count. Zayn hit two German Suplexes of his own. Ilja hit Zayn with repeated elbow smashes to the head and Ilja hit a lifting slam like a spinebuster for a two count. Ilja went up top, jumped off with nothing because Zayn moved and Zayn hit a Michinoku Driver for two. Zayn chopped Ilja to the apron. Ilja tried a lift, Zayn hit some elbows to the face and Zayn tried a DDT on the apron, but it was more like Ilja’s shoulder hitting the middle rope. I think it was supposed to be a DDT, but there wasn’t enough room for it. There was a break for some people as the match continued. Ilja told Zayn to bring it, so Zayn stomped on Ilja repeatedly. Ilja unloaded on Zayn with chops and headbutts for a two count. Zayn got back up and brought the intensity as they exchanged slaps. The fans were getting into it more. Ilja picked up Zayn and hit a Powerbomb for two. Ilja and Zayn were on the mat exchanging kicks and strikes. Zayn hit Ilja with forearms to the head. Ilja hit knee smashes to the head.
The match continued with Ilja shoving Zayn down from the turnbuckle. Ilja jumped off the top and hit a Senton Bomb for a two count. Zayn and Ilja battled by the turnbuckle. Zayn chopped him down, but Ilja was back up, and Ilja hit a superplex. Ilja went for the jumping H-Bomb forearm smash, but Zayn got a boot up to block that. Zayn went for Helluva Kick, Ilja avoided it and Ilja hit a pumphandle slam for a two count. Zayn hit a kick to the face and Ilja bounced off the ropes with a knee smash for a two count. Ilja chopped Zayn a few times, Zayn tried a lift, but Ilja bounced off the ropes with the Constantine Special clothesline. Ilja charged, but Zayn hit him with a boot to the face. Zayn hit a Blue Thunder Bomb and Ilja got his right shoulder up for a two count. There were “Holy S**t” chants after that. Zayn set up in the turnbuckle, but Solo Sikoa appeared in the aisle. Zayn was distracted by that, Solo went to the back and Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Ilja was back up with the Torpedo Moscow shoulder/headbutt, and Ilja hit the H-Bomb forearm to the jaw for the pinfall win after 19 minutes.
Winner by pinfall AND NEW United States Champion: Ilja Dragunov
Analysis: ****1/4 That was awesome. A higher than four-star level TV match and an impressive showing from both men in Dragunov’s return match after more than a year away. They are two of the best in-ring performers in WWE. While I am happy for Ilja Dragunov winning the US Title, I am going to miss the US Title Open Challenge by Sami Zayn because it only lasted about two months and he had so many good matches, but now it’s done. Ilja Dragunov answering the open challenge and winning the US Title is a nice way to put over Ilja in a big way in his return match. Ilja and Zayn are both so good at selling moves, while continuing to fight and show that babyface heart that makes them so easy to like. The presence of Solo Sikoa obviously cost Zayn the match a bit, but there wasn’t direct interference. The majority of the match was outstanding before that. I hope there’s a rematch and that it’s treated like a big deal because it was a lot of fun to watch. That was one of the best WWE TV matches of the year. Amazing.
.@UNBESIEGBAR_ZAR just dethroned @SamiZayn!! 😱 pic.twitter.com/c8DsI8VsIy
— WWE (@WWE) October 18, 2025
Ilja Dragunov celebrated with the United States Championship and the fans cheered him for it.
Sami Zayn stood in the middle of the ring looking for a handshake, but the MFTs went into the ring to attack Zayn and Ilja. It was Solo Sikoa joined by Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa. They attacked Zayn and Ilja with a variety of moves. Rey Fenix went to the ring to try to make the save, but Talla Tonga hit Rey with a huge Chokeslam.
Solo Sikoa did a promo asking if you forgot. Solo said that the MFTs run SmackDown, and they are going to get back everything that his family has lost. Solo said that he will make his family tree champions again.
A video aired on the screens from the Wyatt Sicks. Bo Dallas said seek and ye shall find. Dallas said if you knock, the door will be open, but are you prepared for what’s waiting on the other side? The video ended.
The Wyatt Sicks’ group members, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis, who are the WWE Tag Team Champions, were joined by Erick Rowan and Nikki Cross. The fans chanted “Holy S**t” at the two factions staring at eachother. When The Wyatt Sicks went into the ring, Solo got his guys and left.
Analysis: There’s a nice tease of a stable war coming soon. I think MFTs will take the titles from the Wyatt Sicks whenever it happens because the Wyatt Sicks have had the titles for a long time. I also think some of the good SmackDown tag teams that are barely used could be put on Raw where they are lacking good teams.
This Monday on Raw: Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed discuss turning on Seth Rollins, plus Becky Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Title against Maxxine Dupri, and Dominik Mysterio defends the Intercontinental Title against Rusev.
(Commercial)
There was a video shown of WWE superstars hanging out in Australia for the three televised shows, then they went to Melbourne for a live event, and they went to Tokyo, Japan as well. It was the Raw brand on tour, so they will be a tired group as they return for Raw on Monday.
A video, sponsored by Arby’s, was shown about Stephanie Vaquer beating Tiffany Stratton to win the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Stratton said Vaquer took her to her limits, but Stratton has been undefeated for the past year, so one loss doesn’t define her. Kiana James interrupted the interview to say she still lost. James said that’s why she offered her expertise to Stephanie and not to Tiffany. James said she only represents top talent like Giulia. Stratton said that James knows she doesn’t have it. Stratton said that those who can’t…represent. James said she can get it done in the ring, so Stratton challenged James to a match next week. James accepted.
Analysis: I think SmackDown needs to work on its heel women’s division because there just aren’t any fresh challengers for Stratton now. I like James a lot, but she’s not booked strongly. I can see it leading to Giulia going against Stratton in a matchup between champions.
A graphic was shown about how Tiffany Stratton has the highest win percentage of any WWE Superstar in 2025 – a 17-1 record for a .944 win percentage. Impressive.
The Motor City Machine Guns duo of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were shown talking about how they’ve been in WWE for one year. This was from earlier in the day. They bragged about being former WWE Tag Team Champions. Angel & Berto trashed the Guns for not having much success since then. Sabin & Shelley reminded them that they beat Angel & Berto a year ago, so they challenged them to a match this week. Angel & Berto accepted it.
Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. Los Garza – Angel & Berto
It was Los Garza in control early, but then the Guns hit some double team moves to clear the ring. Sabi hit a suicide dive onto both opponents to send them into the barricade. Berto held onto Sabin’s foot and Angel kicked Sabin to take control. Shelley made the tag, but Angel and Berto took care of him too. Angel hit a superkick to knock Shelley out of the ring. The show went to break for some fans as Los Garza took control for a few minutes. I’ll take a break for a few minutes too.
Angel was in control of Shelley after a running knee/kick combo on the apron. Shelley came back with a neckbreaker on Angel. Berto was back in, so Shelley kicked him away and Sabin got the tag, leading to a cross body block off the top rope. Sabin hit a German Suplex and two pin attempts on Berto for two. The Guns hit a double team hiptoss on Berto across the ring. Sabin was back in with a superkick on Angel and Berto hit a sitout Powerbomb on Sabin for two. Angel held Sabin on his back and Berto hit a neckbreaker off a Gory Special for a two count because Shelley tackled Angel to break up the pin attempt. Angel superkicked Shelley against the ropes and Sabin kicked Angel. Berto knocked Sabin off the apron. Berto hit a twisting moonsault over the top onto the Guns on the floor. The Guns cleared Berto from the ring, Shelley made the tag and hit a double team kick on Angel. Shelley jumped off the top and hit Skull N Bones (top rope splash/neckbreaker combo) for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin
Analysis: *** A good TV match between two talented teams. I like the Guns a lot, but they don’t really have a storyline, nor have they had much of a story for a long time. The tag team division on SmackDown is good, and teams can really go in the ring. I just think they are lacking in terms of stories for a lot of the teams in the division.
Fraxiom’s Nathan Frazer and Axiom were watching on a TV backstage about what they should do next. Frazer wanted them to do something, while Axiom said that they should wait. #DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano arrived with Candice LeRae. Ciampa said that they stayed away for two months, while the Street Profits showed they are who they thought they were – losers. They talked about Halloween and spoke about stupid masks, so they mocked Axiom. That led to Axiom challenging #DIY to a match, and Fraxiom left.
Analysis: There’s an attempt at building a tag team feud by having that backstage interaction. Good enough.
Jacob Fatu’s music played for the main event. As his music played, there was a shot backstage, and Fatu was down on the ground, yelling in pain, while some metal structure was on him. Fatu was bleeding from the mouth. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and other WWE Officials were there as Nick told Fatu to relax while they called for the medical team to help.
Analysis: It was reported on Thursday that Jacob Fatu had an injury that will sideline him well into next year, but we don’t know the details of it yet. This was a way to write him out of storylines by having him attacked backstage.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired for Salt Lake City hosting SmackDown on Halloween and Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1st as well.
Jacob Fatu was shown sitting up and he was spitting up blood. Aldis asked Fatu if he had seen anything that had happened, but Fatu said nothing about it.
Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre made his entrance with a big smile on his face. Drew said that their boy, Bleeding Gums Fatu, is all gas and no brakes. Drew told the referee, Ryan Tran, to raise his hand as the number one contender.
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis arrived to say that he doesn’t know what happened back there, but he knows it’s bad. Aldis said if he finds out if Drew had anything to do with that…and Drew said he had nothing to do with that. Drew said that Aldis has known him for 20 years, and he told Aldis that he should give Drew the match right now.
Cody Rhodes walked out with the WWE Title in his hands. Cody said that Drew knows what he did. Cody said he thinks they should give the fans something right now. Cody told Drew to come and get it right now.
Cody was in his dress clothes as he fought with Drew around ringside. Cody sent Drew into the barricade and sent him over the barricade. They went to break for some fans as the action continued. Drew and Cody went into the crowd where they exchanged punches. Cody hit Drew in the ribs with a chair. Cody kept on attacking Drew and they went down to the ringside area. Cody tossed Drew over the barricade. The announcers wondered if there was an actual match, but the bell never rang for that. Drew and Cody took turns sending eachother’s heads into the commentary table. Drew punched Cody.
The fight continued with Drew and Cody exchanging punches. Cody sent Drew into the ring post. They went into the ring, and referee Ryan Tran called for the bell.
Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew hit a belly-to-belly suplex across the ring. Cody threw his vest at Drew and punched Drew a few times. Cody eye gouged Drew on the mat. Drew came back with a suplex into a slam. Cody, who was wrestling in dress shoes and dress clothes, punched Drew a few times. Drew hit a back elbow on Cody. The announcers wondered if it was a title match, so we can assume it’s not a title match. Cody tried some punches, but Drew came back with a kick and a Future Shock DDT for two. Drew worked over Cody with chops to the chest, along with punches and kicks. Cody tried to fight back, but Drew hit a headbutt to knock Cody into the ropes. Cody came back with a punch to the jaw and a leap off the ropes into a Cody Cutter. Drew left the ring, so Cody charged, and Drew punched Cody to stop that dive attempt. Drew sent Cody over the barricade at ringside. Cody grabbed the WWE Title and hit Drew in the head with it. The referee called for the bell. It went about 5 minutes.
Winner by disqualification: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: ** It was more of an angle than a match, and it was done to up the intensity of this rivalry. Cody hitting Drew with the WWE Title doesn’t mean Cody has turned heel or anything like that. It gives Drew a win, which can lead to a WWE Title match between them.
Cody Rhodes cleared off the commentary table. Drew got back up and eye gouged Cody by putting his thumbs into Cody’s eyes. Drew tried a slam on the commentary table, but Cody blocked that. Cody teased Cross Rhodes on the table, but security and WWE Officials showed up to break it up. Cody went up top and jumped onto a pile of guys, including Drew, and knocked them down with a cross body block. Cody stood tall in the ring. Cody and Drew had a staredown from a distance. End show.
Analysis: It’s pretty obvious that this is the WWE Title match at the next Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is fine since it’s the top face against the top heel on SmackDown. This match and angle around it was done to make it feel like a more personal feud. I think it was successful in terms of doing that. Cody and Drew did a great job in their roles. I wouldn’t mind seeing Drew as WWE Champion, although I believe WWE wants Cody to have another long title reign into next year, so it may be difficult for Drew to get the win.
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ilja Dragunov
- Sami Zayn
- Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes
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The Scoreboard
7.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.5
2025 Average: 7.36
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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown
It felt like a better than average edition of SmackDown with a lot of intensity throughout the show. The highlight was the Ilja Dragunov/Sami Zayn match between two guys who are incredible at selling and making comebacks. They got a lot of time and had one of the better WWE TV matches of the year. I’ll miss Zayn’s open challenges because of how good they were in the last two months, but maybe it can continue with Dragunov as the US Champion.
The Drew McIntyre-Jacob Fatu match was promoted for the whole show, even though WWE knew it wasn’t going to happen, so that might upset some people because it was still promoted. That’s pro wrestling, my friends. They did it in a way to get heat on McIntyre for the attack while they tried to make good by having Cody Rhodes fight Drew for about ten minutes. Cody fighting in dress clothes was bizarre, but I guess it had to be done that way to sell the idea that was an impromptu thing.
Other matches on the show were pretty good and stories were advanced, while also setting up future matches. I enjoyed SmackDown this week.
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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