WWE was in Portland for this week’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown, and it was a must-see show after a week of build. The evening was highlighted by a Cody title shot that was never supposed to be—when McIntyre won the title from Cody, it was stipulated that Drew did not have to give him the rematch outside of a Rumble or Chamber win.
However, after SD booker and WWE Hall of Famer ‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James departed this week from the company, it was announced the same day that Alexandra Williams was promoted to Vice President and ‘lead writer for RAW.’ The shakeup comes amid rumors that both TKO higher-ups and ESPN suits are unhappy with creative.
Throw in the massive heat that is rumored to exist between SD world champion Jade Cargill and Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley after a week of Twitter shots hurled over the 4th wall at each other, and you can start to see why tonight’s show feels so big.
DREW MCINTYRE(c) VS CODY RHODES—WWE World Title
Before the match, Drew McIntyre confronted SD’s GM Nic Aldis with the title in hand, demanding that Aldis ‘make it right.’ Drew was really asking Aldis to null and void his title defense against Cody Rhodes, but the ‘do the right thing’ line set Aldis off on the champ. Aldis told Drew that he’d also given his word previously, promising not to interfere in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, yet he did the opposite.
Drew was not the only superstar who had a problem with seeing Cody get yet another chance. In fact, Sami Zayn, everyone’s favorite good guy, confronted the 2X former world champion prior to his next crack three times. Sami, who had initially approached Cody to say ‘good luck,’ ended up getting into an argument with his friend.
The crux of their argument is very nuanced (and terrific character development through narrative), but ultimately it boils down to Cody being the ‘golden boy’ that gets all the chances while Sami exists as a workhorse talent with none of the ‘breaks.’
If this match set any narratives before the bell rang, it was the McIntyre-Aldis feud boiling over, and the increasing likelihood that either Sami or Cody is turning heel.
The main event itself was solid, and we got some ‘hardcore action’ before and during the match that included a table spot, but it was Cody that would pick up his 3rd title win in a mostly clean win over McIntyre, aside from the ref bump.
SmackDown closed with Cody holding the title in the ring as a banner appeared promoting him and Orton for Mania (night one). Yet, there is a narrative after the match that says WWE ‘chose’ Cody over Drew, and even with the film he has coming up, it is likely we see Drew and Aldis at Mania. That said, it does add credence to the ‘creative shakeup’ potentially happening behind the scenes—it also didn’t help for Drew to question a potential ‘multi-man Mania match’ for the world title.
JADE GETS REAL W/RHEA… THE BATTLE TO BE ‘THAT B****’
The two were destined to collide following Rhea’s Chamber win, and the match was quickly built up by fans as “the first time ever.” That was not good enough for the champ and challenger. Without going into details, the social media spat between the two created heat for Jade with the locker room, reportedly (not to mention rumors that WWE creative is thrilled by the real-world fanfare it drummed up).
Tonight, they shook hands, eventually, and kept it mostly ‘in-ring’ with some ‘inside baseball.’ The program went into the classic ‘physique VS physique’ storyline like Ultimate Warrior and Rick Rude. Rhea took a less physical approach and more ‘getting physical’ approach.
It was not the best promo battle to capitalize on this week’s media attention, but they do not need it, as this feud is nearly ‘oven-ready.’
RANDY ORTON ON THE SEARCH FOR 15
Randy Orton kicked off the night as the WWE world title program bookending tonight’s show. Orton has played the ‘good guy’ since being partnered with Matt Riddle as an ‘unlikely duo’ tag team a couple of years ago, but he evolved into a true-blue ‘baby face’ on a singles run. The Viper has dabbled with the ‘light side’ of the Force before, but only ever long enough to make his heel schtick count.
However, at this stage in Randy’s career, he has competed on 20 different WrestleMania cards but only twice ever as the main event—something he reminded fans of in his promo. The 14 X WWE world champion (tied for 3rd most) would learn his opponent at the end of the night, but before that, he would have to deal with Trick Williams and his ‘lemon steppers.’
Trick made his appearance tonight as yet another reminder that WWE has a problem with him—they’re trying to book a ‘face’ like a heel. The former NXT champion was very over with the Portland crowd, but they were just as raucous for Randy’s RKO on Trick to end the segment.
This segment felt like a blowoff angle at first glance, but Orton’s look tonight was very crafted. His new merch is the brightest color scheme in the history of his career, and his extra-long walk to the ring is meant to give fans time to sing along with his song while he daps up all the fans—like a good guy baby face.
It feels very purposeful, beyond squeezing the cash cow’s new product line, and if it is meant to build up fans’ hopes of seeing him separate himself at Mania with a title win that puts him firmly behind John Cena but ahead of literally everyone else.
Other Tidbits
– R-Truth and Damian Priest have officially formed a tag team alliance with the goal of winning tag titles. So, naturally, they won a number 1 contender’s gauntlet match over Los Garzas (who looked great in the match), Fraxiom, Wyatt Sicks (who had the MFTs interfere against them), and the Motor City Machine Guns.
– Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his U.S. title in another open challenge, this time against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.—the current AAA Latin World Champion. It was a terrific match, well worth watching.
– Oba Femi made a fool of Johnny Gargano in a segment that continued both of their stories.
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