The ultimate “SmackDown” earlier than Saturday Night time’s Primary Occasion noticed Drew McIntyre get the higher hand, crashing Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes by a desk. The USA title open problem continued and as soon as once more proved to be a excessive level of the present. Carmelo Hayes and MFT shone, whereas Alexa Bliss picked up a victory in singles motion. There was additionally quite a lot of school soccer crossover with “SmackDown” and Saturday Night time’s Primary Occasion emanating from Salt Lake Metropolis, house of the No. 24-ranked Utah Utes.
Friday ‘SmackDown’ outcomes
• Ilja Dragunov def. Nathan Frazer to retain the US championship
• Carmelo Hayes def. Equipment Wilson
• Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax
• MFT (JC Mateo and Tama Tonga) def. Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons
One other contract signing, one other brawl
.@DMcIntyreWWE is aware of EXACTLY learn how to get into @CodyRhodes‘ head 😱 pic.twitter.com/2cc1c1wefz
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
As soon as, simply as soon as, I’d love for a WWE contract signing to not finish with an all-out combat. Can that ever occur? Certain, within the historical past of contract signings, this one could be a straightforward choose to finish in a brawl. I really query the contract signing car for this specific phase — I did not suppose it wanted it. It ended up being window dressing for the promo and elevation of the SNME match.
McIntyre initially refused to signal the contract to face Rhodes on Saturday, saying it was far too lopsided in Rhodes’ favor as a consequence of the truth that Rhodes would stay champion on a disqualification or count-out. McIntyre threatened to depart the match fully till Rhodes obtained fed up (one other time throughout this reignited feud) and agreed to the phrases. As soon as once more, McIntyre obtained below Rhodes’ pores and skin, evoking his household and daughters earlier than Rhodes smashed McIntyre’s head onto the desk. It turned worse for Cody as Drew ducked for canopy, solely to return and ship a Claymore after which crash Cody by the desk, ending “SmackDown” with a giant benefit heading into SNME.
Different takeaways/storylines
Not cool, @CiampaWWE! 😡 pic.twitter.com/Q9mXPLmX2e
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
• The Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer match was wonderful. I sound like a damaged document as a result of virtually all the U.S. title open problem matches have been prime quality — the bar was set very excessive and matches meet and sometimes exceed expectations. What I preferred about this match is that we had just a little extra drama apart from a one-off problem — Frazer and Tommaso Ciampa each tried to reply the problem, with Frazer squeezing in first, main Dragunov to decide on him and shooing away Ciampa. After the match, Dragunov and Frazier embraced, however Ciampa attacked Frazier, main Axiom and Gargano to affix the combat. A tag group match appears inevitable there, together with Dragunov going through Tama Tonga, who, within the chaos backstage, grabbed the U.S. title and took an extended, arduous have a look at it earlier than returning it to the champ. I would not thoughts if all of the MFTs problem Dragunov week after week till we get to Solo Sikoa, however it’s approach too early for Dragunov to lose the championship.
The MFTs simply took out EVERYONE 😱 pic.twitter.com/0pchG8skhK
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
• In the meantime, the MFTs, one of many central focuses of “SmackDown,” defeated the Motor Metropolis Machine Weapons. The match ended with Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura popping out for revenge in opposition to MFT, with the fearsome fivesome trying very sturdy.
Issues between @mikethemiz and @Carmelo_WWE are removed from over… 😬 pic.twitter.com/2N9tgCDBQh
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
• Carmelo Hayes defeated Equipment Wilson, however this actually served as a chance for The Miz to land a Cranium Crushing Finale on Hayes, resulting in an inevitable match. I am unsure the place the joy stage is for the match itself, however I do like the thought of Hayes getting a victory over a longtime legend like The Miz to ship him up the ladder.
EVERYONE is below investigation for the assault of Jacob Fatu 🧐 pic.twitter.com/gZhViuI28t
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
• I did chuckle when “SmackDown” common supervisor Nick Aldis requested Cody Rhodes, “Did you assault Jacob Fatu [two weeks ago]?” Rhodes responded, “I like Jacob. Wasn’t me,” to which Aldis merely stated, “Adequate for me,” and moved on. If solely each concern had been resolved that shortly. Not many different wrestlers in Rhodes’ place would have gotten that therapy. We had full-on interrogations when Stone Chilly Steve Austin was run over by a automotive (“I did it … for The Rock!”)
.@UUtah‘s Swoop is victorious forward of SmackDown! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/suX5HZfV2f
— WWE (@WWE) November 1, 2025
• In different motion, Utah Utes mascot Swoop defeated Cincinnati’s The Bearcat in a mascot match after a “Folks’s Wing.” Sure, this really occurred. And I do not thoughts it one bit, however I am pleasantly shocked that it was proven on “SmackDown.” Wrestling is meant to be enjoyable, and typically foolish, and this was each. This can in all probability additionally go viral on social media and be proven on school soccer TV packages main as much as the Cincinnati-Utah sport (ESPN, 10:15 p.m. ET). Give me extra of this sports activities integration, I am with it.

