Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown was live from Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center for a ‘Rumble-after’ show following the red brand’s amazing final segment on this week’s RAW. On that show, CM Punk and Roman Reigns delivered an all-time great promo battle in which the entire online fanbase applauded.
All week long, the ramifications of that segment had fans saying that ‘Mania feels like Mania’ now, but it came at the detriment of world champion Drew McIntyre and the SmackDown show. Both Roman and Punk took turns burying the champ with fan reactions meant to add to the segment between the Royal Rumble winner and the champion of his choice.
With Cody scheduled for the show, SD needs to deliver a major show to offset the RAW commentary.
CODY RHODES NEXT STORY COULD TURN INTO A JACOB FATU FABLE
It was Drew McIntyre who was scheduled to open tonight’s show, but it was Cody Rhodes who prevented his segment from ever beginning as he jumped the world champion on his way out to the ring. Cody gave the champ a 3-piece and then some before grabbing the mic and cutting an out-of-breath promo on Drew, eliminating him from a match for which he was never entered.
He gave a nod to both Roman and Punk after delivering that Mania-making promo battle that set both the stage for Vegas and social media ablaze. There was an anger in Cody’s promo that seemed almost uncontrollable, like a man who has suffered long enough.
However, Cody calmed down after GM Aldis threatened his Elimination Chamber qualifying match next Friday in Dallas. That threat was enough for Cody to leave on his own accord despite the many WWE officials escorting him.
When Drew was able to gather himself together to attempt his promo just after the second hour, it was Jacob Fatu who would attack the champ—once again, before he could ever utter a word. Before this spot, Drew was seen in the back talking to Damian Priest, and it was Priest who insisted that Drew had ‘enough problems’ without the former heavyweight champ adding to them. It did not make Priest look super strong, but it added to the narrative surrounding McIntyre.
It was revealed that Fatu would also compete for a Chamber qualifying spot next week on SmackDown.
DREW MCINTYRE FINALLY SPEAKS
The third time was a charm for the champ as he was finally able to grab a mic in front of the crowd—all he had to do was not play his music and enter through the crowd like a streaker. It was embarrassing for the champion to be unable to cut a promo on his own show without sneaking mic time atop the commentary table.
He crapped on Sami before calling for Fatu and Rhodes to be pulled from the Chamber qualifiers as a punishment—though he was never punished for interfering in last Saturday’s Rumble. Oddly enough, Trick Williams was randomly given an entrance only to have his shoes mocked by Drew on his way towards ‘Gorilla position.’
LIV MORGAN WEIGHS OPTIONS
The 2026 women’s Royal Rumble winner, Liv Morgan, made it clear on Monday that she would take her time choosing which champion she’ll face at WrestleMania 42. It was on RAW where she announced she would be live on SD this Friday, so it was not as surprising to see her and Raquel Rodriguez on the show despite being cemented stars of the red brand.
What was surprising was seeing the segment turn into an Elimination Chamber promo free-for-all that eventually included Jordynne Grace. The SmackDown champ, Jade Cargill, was first out to confront Liv and seemingly scare her out of the decision to pick Jade. Liv suggested that Jade stay in her lane before threatening to pick RAW champ Stephanie Vaquer so that Raquel could get a crack at Jade.
It was unfortunate timing as Liv was gearing up to address the recent issues between her and her enforcer, Raquel, and that was just before she planned to address her choice.
CARGILL & GRACE VS THE JUDGEMENT DAY
Nic Aldis booked the match, claiming that if Liv could talk, then she could fight, but Roman Reigns was allowed to go to the ‘other show,’ and they rolled out the red carpet, giving him a nearly half-hour final segment (the main event spot). The entire segment felt forced, but the interest amongst these superstars is interesting.
The faces picked up the win, though it did not come without friction as Jade accidentally caught Grace in one exchange while Grace managed to pull the roll up for the victory with Jade down on the mat. The friction followed them to the back, where GM Nic Aldis booked the two powerhouses for a world title match next week.
It is awesome to see Grace getting a shot, but it is confusing to see someone cut an EC promo only to be unceremoniously granted a title shot.
ELMININATION CHAMBER QUALIFIERS
RANDY ORTON VS SOLO SIKOA VS ALEISTER BLACK—Triple Threat Match
ORTON QUALIFIES
Randy Orton was given the pre-match backstage interview heading into the match, a position Tiffany Stratton benefited from earlier in the night (See Women’s Triple Threat Qualifier). Like Stratton, much was made of his Rumble performance, solidifying him as the match’s favorite.
Sure enough, Randy would pick up the win via pinfall over Solo following a very fun final sequence. With Trick Williams watching ringside, Orton was able to hit the RKO on Black, taking him out of the match.
Just as Randy had Black handled, Solo was set up to deliver his spike behind the back of “The Viper.” The veteran, sensing the danger, was able to turn Solo’s opportunity into an Orton TKO for the win.
LASH LEGEND VS TIFFANY STRATTON VS CHELSEA GREEN—Triple Threat Match
STRATTON QUALIFIES
Tiffany Stratton returned to the Royal Rumble and had herself quite the performance as she lasted until the final two, nearly winning the right to WrestleMania. Stratton was interviewed in the back before her match, and she claimed that her ‘Mania moment’ was still alive as she planned to seize tonight’s opportunity.
Lash Legend put up an incredible showing, and she seemed poised to win in several moments throughout the match. However, Stratton would pick up the qualifying spot by pinning Chelsea Green to advance after some outside interference from Nia Jax and Chelsea’s ‘She-Cret Service.”
OBA FEMI SQUASHING LIKE A MONSTER
Oba Femi squashed Kit Wilson (one half of Pretty Deadly) after the man with the ‘toxic male’ gimmick called out ‘anyone’ from the back to accept his open challenge. That man was Oba Femi, who came out to a huge ovation with the fans already conditioned to do his entrance walk.
After the match, Kit Wilson once again verbally berated Matt Cardona, continuing their ‘feud.’
OTHER TIDBITS
- SmackDown will air on SYFY for the next couple of weeks due to the Winter Olympics. Trick Williams and Rey Fenix were booked for singles action.
- Melo successfully defended his U.S. title against The Miz tonight.
- Women’s Tag Champs RHEO will defend against Nia Jax and Lash Legend next week after successfully defending against Giulia and Kiana James tonight.
- Alexa Bliss, Giulia, and Zelina will compete next week in an EC qualifier
- In the men’s division, Jacob Fatu, Cody Rhodes, and Sami Zayn are scheduled for a triple threat qualifier next week as well.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
