The John Report: WWE SmackDown 10/31/25 Review
This is WWE SmackDown featuring Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, Jade Cargill addresses her recent actions, Alexa Bliss facing Nia Jax, and more.
Happy Halloween. It’s one night before Saturday Night’s Main Event (check out my preview here), featuring four big championship matches. I’m also a busy guy rooting for my Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB World Series in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Update: The Jays lost, so bring on Game 7 Saturday!). It’s a fun time of year with my birthday coming on Tuesday as well.
From the Delta Centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, this is SmackDown for episode #1367. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.
There was some backstage pre-show walking shown of Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss with Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill.
A replay was shown of last week’s SmackDown when Jade Cargill attacked WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, so that was Jade’s heel turn.
The commentary team of Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcomed us to the show.
Let’s Hear from Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton walked to the ring with the WWE Women’s Championship. Stratton said she’s not waiting until her music hits, and she’s not waiting until Saturday Night’s Main Event.
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis interrupted, saying that he can’t have anything happen to ruin Tiffany’s match against Jade tomorrow night. Nick mentioned Stratton had an injury, so she was barely cleared, and he didn’t want to see any physicality tonight. Stratton called out Jade Cargill, so Jade showed up, and Nick called for security.
Jade Cargill said that this doesn’t serve her. Jade said she busted her head open a few weeks ago, and she tasted her own blood. Jade said that at Saturday’s Night Main Event, Taffy Time is up. Stratton tried to go after Jade in the aisle, but security held Stratton back. Stratton was selling her left knee injury while Cargill went to the back. Stratton held up her title in the ring.
Analysis: A quick segment to put over that story going into their SNME match. I think Jade beating Stratton for the Women’s Title is likely. It’s been a long run for Stratton, but it’s time for Jade to get the title.
There was a video package about the US Champion Ilja Dragunov. They showed Dragunov working out to show his unique training methods while talking about suffering and overcoming pain to succeed.
Ilja Dragunov made his entrance as the US Champion for an open challenge up next.
A commercial aired for Saturday Night’s Main Event, which is also in Salt Lake City.
(Commercial)
R-Truth was dressed as Santa Claus, handing out candies to the Motor City Machine Guns. They wondered if Ron thought it was Christmas instead of Halloween. Truth said, “Ho ho ho” and wished a Merry Christmas. Solo Sikoa approached Motor City Machine Guns, and they exchanged words. Chris Sabin said they’re on their way to being two-time Tag Team Champions. Solo said that his MFTs are next in line. Sabin challenged Solo’s MFTs to a tag team match, and Solo said he’ll talk to Aldis to make it happen. I believe it was the Wyatt Sicks group walking in the background as well.
The open challenge was answered by Nathan Frazer from the Fraxiom tag team. Tommaso Ciampa walked out instead and told Ilja you can’t be thinking about giving this nerd a shot at the US Title. Frazer yelled at Ciampa. Ilja said that Nathan was here first. Ilja told Ciampa there are no awards for jackasses. Ilja told Ciampa to leave, so Ciampa left.
Analysis: I thought it might lead to a triple threat US Title match, but nope.
United States Championship: Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer
Frazer hit a running knee to knock Ilja down. Ilja came back with a hard chop. Frazer hit a spinning kick to knock Ilja out of the ring. Frazer hit a suicide dive onto Ilja on the floor. Back in the ring, Frazer jumped off the top rope, Ilja avoided it and Ilja chopped Frazer to knock him down. Ilja hit another chop for a two count. Ilja sent Frazer into the turnbuckle and hit a hard chop. Ilja kicked Frazer off the apron and into the commentary table. Ilja hit a German Suplex on the floor. The show went to break as the action continued. I’ll take a break as well.
It was Ilja in control during the break. Frazer tried to get some offense going, but Ilja connected with two German Suplexes. Ilja had a cut on his head, while Frazer had visible scarring on his chest from all the chops. Frazer used his speed to bounce off the ropes and hit a reverse DDT. Frazer hit a running SSP for a two count. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Ilja and Frazer exchanged forearms until Frazer connected with a superkick. Ilja chopped Frazer and hit a belly-to-back slam for a two count. Ilja went up top, jumped off, Frazer avoided it and Ilja hit a jumping kick. Ilja hit a knee smash. Ilja charged, Frazer ducked and Ilja bumped over the top to the floor. Frazer did a springboard attack, but Ilja knocked him down with a punch. Ilja jumped off the top with a senton bomb, Frazer moved and Frazer hit a Frog Splash off the top for two. They went on another break as the action continued. Frazer remained on offense with a missile dropkick off the top for a two count. Frazer went up top, jumped off with a Phoenix Splash attempt, Ilja avoided it, and Ilja elbowed Frazer in the head several times. Ilja hit a pumphandle-style suplex for a two count. The blood on Ilja’s head was minimal, so it wasn’t too much. Ilja applied an abdominal stretch.
They went over to the turnbuckle where Ilja teased a Powerbomb, but Frazer hit a hurricanrana to send Ilja out of the ring. Frazer jumped over the top with a somersault dive onto Ilja on the floor. Frazer dropkicked Ilja into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Frazer hit an amazing Phoenix Splash on Ilja for a two count. That was close, so it got a big reaction from the fans, who were chanting, “This is awesome.” Frazer went up top again, but Ilja was back up with chops to the back. Ilja gave Frazer a German Suplex off the turnbuckle and it looked like a rough landing for both guys. Ilja got a two count while the referee checked on both guys. Ilja hit a Powerbomb and an H-Bomb forearm smash for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Ilja Dragunov
Analysis: **** That was great. Another four-star match for the US Title on SmackDown. It was a long match that went longer than I expected. It’s certainly not a bad thing to have a longer match since Ilja and Frazer are so talented. Frazer winning would have been a big surprise since he’s a tag team wrestler, but Frazer is a very talented guy who can have great matches every time he’s out there. That suplex spot off the turnbuckle was a bit rough, but it looked like they were okay after that. Ilja showed a lot of heart in taking everything that Frazer had, and Ilja found a way to get the win. This was a lot of fun to watch.
After the match, Tommaso Ciampa ran down to the ring and hit Frazer with a forearm to the head. Ciampa told Dragunov he wanted a shot at the US Title.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Ilja Dragunov beating Nathan Frazer. After the match, Tommaso Ciampa smashed Frazer with a forearm to the head. They showed Axiom going after Ciampa and Johnny Gargano appeared to fight with Axiom. They went fighting to the back.
The wrestlers from before the break were fighting backstage. The fight was broken up by WWE Officials and security. Tama Tonga looked at the US Title. Tama said, “Yeah yeah yeah” at Ilja and handed him the US Title back.
Analysis: That likely means it’s Dragunov against Tama soon.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson
Kit Wilson is alone since his Pretty Deadly partner, Elton Prince, is out with an injury. Carmelo Hayes is now in a babyface role. This was set up in a segment last week.
There wasn’t much of a reaction to Kit as he yelled, “Toxic” at Melo and stomped on his back/shoulder. Kit hit a unique-looking DDT for a two-count. Melo came back with punches and a springboard lariat. Melo used his legs to send Kit face first into the mat. Melo hit a suplex into a Cutter for two. Kit left the ring, so Melo hit a somersault over the top onto Kit on the floor. The Miz showed up at ringside and sent Melo into the ring post. The referee was looking at Melo in the ring. Kit jumped off the top and hit an elbow drop for a two count. Kit and Miz were shocked it was a two count. Kit charged and Melo hit the First 48 double knee attack for the pinfall win after 4 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Carmelo Hayes
Analysis: ** Easy win for Melo as you’d expect there. At least Kit got a good nearfall after The Miz got involved.
After the match, The Miz attacked Melo with a Skull Crushing Finale. Miz told Melo it’s not over until he says it’s over.
Analysis: That should lead to a Melo-Miz match soon. I hope Melo wins that feud.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair were interviewed backstage by Cathy Kelley, who asked about the Kabuki Warriors attacking them. Bliss said that they wanted what Bliss and Flair already have. Flair said that she let Lexi in and thinks that Lexi’s life is better for it. Flair mocked Nia Jax for having no friends. Bliss said she’d remind Jax why she outgrew her since they used to be friends.
Nia Jax made her entrance for singles action.
(Commercial)
Sami Zayn was talking to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Zayn said that he knows he’s not cleared, and he wants to be at ringside to support Motor City Machine Guns against MFTs. Aldis told Zayn to sit this one out since he’s not cleared. Zayn agreed. Cody Rhodes walked in with the WWE Title, saying he was proud of Zayn. Sami wished Cody good luck against Drew. Aldis asked Cody if he had anything to do with Jacob Fatu. Cody said no, and he liked Jacob. Nick said it was good enough for him. Aldis mentioned the contract signing later, Cody said he was fine with it, but he had to show it to Drew. Nick said that is next. Cody left.
Analysis: Since Sami Zayn is no longer the US Champion, it will be interesting to see if WWE pushes the story about how he hasn’t been a WWE Champion or World Champion, so maybe Zayn will become obsessed with that in his career.
Alexa Bliss (w/Charlotte Flair) vs. Nia Jax
Jax used her power to hit a headbutt, along with a running splash against the turnbuckle. Bliss slapped Jax in the face, Bliss bounced off the ropes and Jax ran over Bliss. Jax sent Bliss into the turnbuckle. Bliss avoided a Jax splash against the ring post, but Jax caught a leaping Bliss and sent Bliss into the barricade. Jax sent Bliss into the barricade again. They went on a break for some fans and I’ll take a break too. It was Jax in control for the next three minutes.
It was still Jax in control with a chinlock and a whip into the turnbuckle. Jax hit a running splash, along with a hip attack. Bliss avoided another hip attack. Bliss came back with kicks, but Jax hit a headbutt. Jax sent Bliss off the apron to the floor. Bliss got some offense with a headscissors. Bliss slapped Jax a few times and hit a dropkick. Bliss hit a weak cross body block on Jax for two. Jax missed a charging attack and Bliss hit some sort of neckbreaker that looked awkward. Jax gave Bliss a sloppy Samoan Drop for two while Flair was on the apron. Jax knocked down Bliss on the floor and Jax shoved Flair. Jax went to the turnbuckle, Flair went on the apron, Bliss kicked Jax, and Bliss hit a dropkick while Jax was near the turnbuckle, and Bliss folded Jax’s legs, so Bliss covered for the win. It went around 10 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Alexa Bliss
Analysis: **1/4 It was an average match like most Bliss and Jax matches in the past. Jax has better chemistry with other women. There wasn’t a strong ending with Bliss hitting a dropkick to win after Jax was distracted by Flair. The story was pretty simple with Jax using her size differential to hit power moves, but Bliss found a way to get the win. It’s possible that the story leads to Jax finding an ally to go after the Women’s Tag Team Titles. I’m not sure who would align with Jax in the story, though.
Solo Sikoa was backstage with MFTs as Rey Fenix approached. Fenix said he didn’t want to fight Solo. Fenix stood on a box and said he wanted to fight Talla Tonga. Fenix said he wants a piece of Talla. Solo said alright, you can do it next week. Fenix slapped Talla and left. We could see Erick Rowan of the Wyatt Sicks looking in the background.
The WrestleMania 42 commercial aired.
(Commercial)
Damian Priest was featured in a video saying that he should hate Aleister Black, but he doesn’t hate him. Priest said he doesn’t hate his sneak attacks or that he uses his wife or that he set Priest’s face on fire. Priest said it’s personal to him now. Priest said you know it’s coming, you won’t know when or how, but you will know why. Priest said that when he gets his hands on Black, not even the devil himself will stop him. Priest said Black will feel his venom when punishment comes for Black. Priest wished Black a Happy Halloween.
Analysis: It will likely lead to another Priest-Black stipulation match. Black won the Last Man Standing match thanks to Zelina Vega, so there will likely be a final match, like a Steel Cage Match or something like that.
There was a rundown of the Saturday Night’s Main Event card for November 1.
* Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
* Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev vs. Penta
* For the Vacant World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Jey Uso
* WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
You can watch Saturday Night’s Main Event when it streams LIVE on Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on YouTube internationally.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was backstage with Nick Aldis, and she said she was fine to defend her title. Aldis said Stratton is clearly not 100% and Stratton insisted she wants to go through with this. Kiana James and Women’s US Champion Giulia appeared. James said that Stratton should have accepted their offer to help. Stratton tried to respond, but Giulia cut her off, saying Stratton won’t be able to talk at all, and Stratton left. Chelsea Green arrived with Alba Fyre. Green was in some Wonder Woman-style outfit. Green said she wanted a match. Giulia said it was fine. Aldis said fine, they can have a match next week. Green was happy about it, and then Nikki Cross was in the background looking scary, so Green and Fyre left while freaking out about it.
Analysis: There was a lot going on there with different people. Green is great, but she’s not being featured as much as she was in the past. Giulia against Green is an odd choice since they are both heels.
Solo Sikoa made his entrance with the MFTs for tag team action.
(Commercial)
A clip was shown of the Cincinnati Bearcats mascot facing the Utah Utes mascot in the ring earlier in the night. I’m not recapping the action, but the Utah mascot Swoop got the win with the People’s Wing aka People’s Elbow.
Analysis: Riveting action. Truly.
MFTs – JC Mateo & Tama Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa, Talla Tanga & Tonga Loa) vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley
JC worked over Shelley to start. Sabin got the tag and hit a missile dropkick into a flatliner for a two count. Tama tagged in, the Guns made another quick tag, and cleared the ring. The Guns each hit slingshot cross body blocks over the top onto the heels on the floor. The Guns hit some double team moves, including the running dropkick/neck snap combo for a two count. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued. JC hit a powerslam on Shelley and the MFT guys took over.
The match continued with Shelley trying to fight out of the heel corner as he hit a flatliner on JC into the turnbuckle. Sabin got the tag and hit a missile dropkick. Sabin hit a DDT on JC. Sabin jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a Tornado DDT on Tama for two. Shelley was back in with a clothesline that sent Tama out of the ring. Sabin made the tag and hit a suicide dive on both opponents on the floor. The Guns kicked Talla to stop him from interfering. Solo went on the apron, the referee looked at him and Loa shoved Shelley off the top to the floor. Sabin punched Loa, so Tama hit a running elbow smash called the Cutthroat for the pinfall win. It went about 9 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: MFTs – JC Mateo & Tama Tonga
Analysis: **3/4 It was the usual MFT match with interference from their allies on the floor. I find the MFT matches to be so dull and repetitive. I get that WWE wants to put MFT over and will likely lead to them as WWE Tag Team Champions, but it’s not exciting to watch. The same finishes happen nearly every time in their matches. Like I said, it’s too repetitive.
After the match, Talla Tonga hit Sabin with a Chokeslam. Rey Fenix made the save with a big kick for Talla and a missile dropkick. Talla came back with a boot to the face. Shinsuke Nakamura went down to the ring to fight the MFT guys. Nakamura hit multiple kicks to the head. Talla caught Nakamura and gave him a Chokeslam. The MFTs stood tall over Fenix and Nakamura and posed over them.
Analysis: It feels so repetitive with the MFTs standing tall like that. We see it often.
Drew McIntyre spoke to Nick Aldis backstage. Drew claimed there was nothing wrong with the contract. Aldis didn’t seem sure about that. Drew told Nick he has a stressful job and he needs to relax.
(Commercial)
A commercial aired for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th for John Cena’s final match.
Next week on SmackDown:
* Rey Fenix vs. Talla Tonga
* Ilja Dragunov US Title Open Challenge
* Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax
WWE Championship Match Contract Signing
There was a table in the ring, along with two chairs and the black carpet. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis hosted the contract signing. Cody Rhodes was up first as the Undisputed WWE Champion and the fans were loud for him. Cody wished the fans a Happy Halloween and sat down in a chair.
Drew McIntyre was up next as the challenger, and he had a bit of a smirk on his face as he approached the ring. A clip was shown of Drew beating Jimmy Uso last week. After the match, Drew also hit Cody Rhodes with a Claymore Kick.
Aldis said that he wanted the two men to sign the contract.
Drew thought about signing the contract, but then he said he wouldn’t sign it. Cody grabbed the contract, and he signed it. Aldis asked why Drew can’t sign it.
Drew said that the contract is lopsided and he can’t sign it. Aldis said it’s a standard WWE contract. Drew said if he gets disqualified or counted out, then Cody keeps the title. Drew said if Cody gets counted out or disqualified again, then Cody keeps the title. Drew said it’s lopsided and he won’t sign it. Aldis said fine because there are other men who can sign the contract and face Cody for the title. Drew said okay, get one of them. Drew teased leaving at that point.
Cody got up and told Drew to sit down. Cody said Drew wants a stipulation. Cody said that Drew wants a stipulation that if Cody gets counted out or disqualified, then Cody loses the title. Drew said yes. Cody said he is fine with that. Aldis tried to stop Cody, but Cody made the point that he didn’t want an easy way out. Cody said he didn’t give a damn. Drew said he’ll sign now. Aldis said he’s not happy about it. Cody said we need to end this, so let it happen. Drew told Nick to do the right thing. Aldis said, “Okay,” so he approved it. Drew signed the contract.
Drew said that it’s a happy moment for him. Drew said he’s sad because they should be the best of friends after 20 years of walking the same roads. Drew said he wrote the blueprint that helped Cody finish the story. Drew complained about how Cody represented corporate America, yet people cheer him. Drew said that he speaks the truth, he’s an American citizen, and he’s the real American Dream.
Cody said he’s glad that Drew brings up their parallel past. Cody admitted that he followed Drew’s blueprint. Cody said that Drew challenged himself with different styles because he loved it like Cody loves it. Cody said that Drew built himself up so much that WWE had to call him back. Cody said that when he got fed up with WWE, he grew some balls and he walked. Cody said that Drew just got fired. Cody said that nice guys used to finish last and then he showed up. Cody left.
Drew said that Cody is not going to get the last word and get the fans cheering. Drew said that one day the fans will turn on him just like so many turned on Drew. Drew said that Cody is in an orange suit for Halloween. Drew said the ones who would be happy with him Trick or Treating are Cody’s lovely daughters. Drew asked for their names again. Cody attacked Drew and tried to send him through the table. Cody grabbed the WWE Title and tried to attack Drew, who slipped out of the ring. Aldis talked to Cody, so Drew got back up and hit a Claymore Kick. Drew picked up the WWE Title. Drew gave Cody a Powerbomb through the table in the ring. Drew said he’s taking the WWE Title from him and he will be the new WWE Champion. Drew said he’ll do whatever it takes. Drew held the WWE Title above his head and then put it on Cody. End show.
Analysis: I thought both guys did a good job and made their points well. With that said, I don’t like contract signings in the main event spot. They should be earlier in the show. I think Drew could win the WWE Title from Cody at SNME, but I’m going with Cody to find a way to retain.
On X/Twitter, Drew posted a photo of this, saying it’s a bad omen to be standing tall going into a major title match on a PLE, but Drew says he is not like anyone else.
For anyone else this would be a bad omen…
BUT I’M NOT ANYONE ELSE pic.twitter.com/IdVXzJCATl
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) November 1, 2025
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Three Stars of the Show
- Ilja Dragunov
- Nathan Frazer
- Carmelo Hayes, Cody Rhodes, and Drew McIntyre
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The Scoreboard
6.75 out of 10
Last week: 7.25
2025 Average: 7.35
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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown
It felt like a weaker show this week. The second hour in particular was very uninteresting, and in terms of matches, it is well below the standards that should be in place for a WWE main roster show. The Ilja Dragunov-Nathan Frazer match was clearly the highlight of this episode.
Even though this show took place on Halloween, there wasn’t much of a Halloween theme other than R-Truth dressing up as Santa Claus since he’s a confused man.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place this Saturday, November 1st with this lineup:
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre
- For the Vacant World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Jey Uso
- WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
- Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev vs. Penta
You can watch Saturday Night’s Main Event when it streams LIVE on Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on YouTube internationally.
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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