WWE Friday Night SmackDown was live in London as the company’s European tour continues on its chaotic journey, this time from within the hallowed halls of Wembley Stadium. Tonight’s show is highlighted by the four singles matches to determine the qualifier for Saturday Night’s Main Event fatal 4-way qualifier.
MCINTYRE’S CELEBRATION TURNS TO A LESSON IN HOLDING HEAVY HEADWEAR
There were bagpipes and pyro in the opening of tonight’s SmackDown, all in commemoration of Drew McIntyre’s last-minute lifting of the WWE world title from Cody Rhodes. Unfortunately, the celebratory crowd was not received as well by the champion as he railed against them for, in his mind, ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ far too late.
It was clear that someone would interrupt Drew’s misguided ideological promo, and that someone would end up being Randy Orton—one of the several superstars who have declared their intentions to win the world title this year. The two battled it out promo-style for a minute before Jacob Fatu came out in a violent and uncontrollable manner.
Fatu did not need a mic because his hands would be the only thing doing the ‘wrapping’ tonight as he beat down the new world champion right in front of the ‘RKO architect.’ As Jacob continued beating on Drew onto the outside and through the crowd, Orton’s opponent for the evening, The Miz, took the moment to get the drop on him.
When we came back from the break, McIntyre could be seen running frantically with his world title clutched against his chest. He bumped into Ilja Dragunov—challenging Sami Zayn in the #1 contender’s series—who acknowledged that this was the first time the two had ever interacted in front of a WWE camera.
Drew was agitated as he desperately continued to ‘check his six’ in hopes that he’d lost Fatu for good, but with three superstars pressing him within SD’s first segment, it would seem that the champion is learning quickly that ‘being the guy’ is not all sunshine all the time.
WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT NOT IN THE ROOM & CODY GETTING BOOS
Cody Rhodes made his first belt-less appearance in front of the Wembley crowd, and it was also the first time he had spoken about last week’s title loss. Technically, Cody never actually asked the crowd ‘what they wanna talk about’ despite using his catchphrase several times in his promo opener.
He appeared dejected, which is understandable, but his reaction to the London crowd chanting Drew’s name made it clear that things could get worse. His tone shifted once he realized the crowd was not on his side, but when they started actively booing him there was an unsuspecting gleam in his eye.
It was surprising when he admitted that his run had become stale (err, uh, ‘episodic?’) and that he could never “foresee all the eventualities.”
This was not the hint into madness, eventually sparking an epic heel run with a faction of NXT superstars called “The Nightmare Faction/Factory,” instead, he went on a ‘greatest hits’ run, attempting to gain back favor with the suspect crowd. He name-dropped “What Cutlure Pro Wrestling” and said the Londoners ‘deserved a WrestleMania’ in hopes of getting back all the ‘face pops’ and it worked.
Cody had the crowd where he wanted them just before he announced his intentions to enter and win the 2026 Royal Rumble (finally, the show gets promotion). His promo ended with a ‘receipt’ promise to Jacob Fatu, whom he holds responsible for his loss last week, despite the fact that Fatu simultaneously prevented Drew from winning.
Fatu would call out Cody for his comments later in the show, and the two would erupt in a brawl that the WWE crew would have to break up. The match between Fatu and Cody was announced for SNME.
WWE WORLD TITLE #1 CONTENDER QUALIFIERS
RANDY ORTON VS THE MIZ—SNME Fatal 4-Way Qualifier
Despite gaining the pre-match momentum, Orton managed to hold on.
TRICK WILLIAMS VS MATT CARDONA—SNME Fatal 4-Way Qualifier
Trick Williams picked up the win in the face of Cardona, giving a pre-match promo promising the fulfillment of his own story. The match was solid and showed just how capable a veteran Cardona is; unfortunately, he also got beat down by Kip Jordan in a post-match comedy angle. You can call him Cardona, but it doesn’t matter if you book him like Zach Ryder.
SOLO SIKOA VS DAMIEN PRIEST—SNME Fatal 4-Way Qualifier
Solo regretted taking the lantern from the Wyatt Sicks, as it ended up costing him big tonight. Solo and the MFTs cut a video package promo for taking the lantern, and in response, Uncle Howdy, in Bo form, told them they did not know the power.
Priest won despite Solo being in full control at the end, but the Wyatt Sicks cut the lights and took back the lantern, and Solo got distracted in trying to gain it back for some reason. After the match, Howdy had the lantern back in hand before Talla Tonga gave him the big boot.
SAMI ZAYN VS ILJA DRAGUNOV—SNME Fatal 4-Way Qualifier
This was a tremendous match at the highest level, perhaps a bubble “TV Match of the Year” contender, as Zayn and Dragunov went toe to toe. Dragunov caught a big cut in the match before Zayn put him away for the victory.
In the post-match, Jacob Fatu came out to beat down on Zayn in a continuation of his out-of-control character.
OTHER TIDBITS
- Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defeated Cora Jade and Giulia in tag action.
- Carmelo Hayes defeated TNA’s Leon Slater in an absolute banger
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