WWE SmackDown, one of the company’s flagship shows, continues to uphold fans every Friday with its blend of drama, athleticism, and character development. This week’s episode was no different, packed with intense matches and compelling segments. WWE’s approach to this particular SmackDown was intriguing, as the company only advertised a couple of key matchups ahead of time. This left fans eager to see how the show would unfold, making every segment a bit of a surprise.

This SmackDown was designed to build momentum for this weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME), a special show that always brings heightened drama and high stakes. The three-hour episode, while packed with action, still managed to leave fans with a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. The night’s advertised bouts included LA Knight facing off against Tama Tonga and the Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG) battling Pretty Deadly.

MCMG vs. Pretty Deadly: Opening the Show with Intensity

SmackDown kicked off with a bang, as the Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) went head-to-head with Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) in a thrilling tag team match. Before the action began, Cody Rhodes made his entrance, preparing for a backstage interview with Joe Tessitore. During the interview, Cody discussed his upcoming match against Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event, setting the tone for the show’s main event storylines. The promo was strong, and Rhodes did a great job of putting Owens over, calling him a “once-in-a-generation talent.”

With no interruptions or attacks to disrupt the flow, the show moved directly into the tag match. Pretty Deadly, although not necessarily known for their physical dominance, found themselves up against the slightly smaller but fast-paced MCMG. Wilson and Prince, known for their size, tried to use their strength to dominate, but Sabin and Shelley’s speed allowed them to turn the tide.

The match was a perfect showcase of contrasting wrestling styles. Pretty Deadly’s brute force collided with the agility and technical skills of MCMG. The tag teams exchanged offense throughout, with Pretty Deadly almost stealing the victory after a beautifully executed double-team bulldog maneuver. However, MCMG made a hard-fought comeback, ending the match with their Skull and Crossbones finishing move. This exciting and well-paced match left fans on the edge of their seats, proving that tag team wrestling still has its place in WWE.

Key Moments and Observations:

• Cody Rhodes made a strong case for Kevin Owens, elevating his opponent’s status before their SNME match.
• The dynamic between the two teams was interesting, with Pretty Deadly showcasing more depth than in previous bouts.
• The double-team bulldog from Pretty Deadly is a move with high potential, perhaps future finisher material.

B-Fab and Michin vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven: A Filler Match

After the opening match, tensions continued to rise backstage, where Owens delivered a promo criticizing everyone who was “sucking up” to Rhodes. This led to Jimmy Uso attacking Owens, adding fuel to the fire for later in the show. Meanwhile, backstage, Carmelo Hayes was seen talking to GM Nick Aldis about his match being canceled. Aldis quickly took action and drafted Damian Priest as Hayes’ new opponent.

Following this, we saw a brief and somewhat forgettable tag team match between B-Fab and Michin against Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. The match, largely focused on the ongoing feud between Green and Michin, didn’t feature anything groundbreaking but provided a brief interlude to more significant developments. Michin, in particular, continued her feud with Green, eventually pinning her to claim the victory. The match was short and not as exciting as some of the other bouts, feeling more like filler for the next part of the show.

Key Moments and Observations:

• The Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu video package stood out and teased future drama.
• The mention of B-Fab’s long legs was an amusing moment in commentary.
• The backstage segment with Carmelo Hayes and Damian Priest helped set up the night’s next bout.

Six-Woman Tag Match: Building Royal Rumble Excitement

As the night continued, WWE began setting the stage for the Royal Rumble, which was just around the corner. Tiffany Stratton came out to give a promo that was swiftly interrupted by Rhea Ripley. The two were soon joined by Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez. In a whirlwind of excitement, all the women began declaring their intentions to win the Royal Rumble, signaling a shift toward the next big pay-per-view event.

The chaos intensified as WWE transitioned into a six-woman tag match: Jax, LeRae, and Morgan vs. Ripley, Belair, and Naomi. This match, like most WWE multi-person contests, lacked some of the urgency we might expect. There were moments when it felt like the action was somewhat mechanical, with each wrestler taking turns defending or attacking in a series of predictable exchanges.

However, there were bright spots in the match. Ripley, known for her powerhouse abilities, managed to get the hot tag and start cleaning the house, delivering some strong moves and reviving the energy of the match. But in a surprising turn, Morgan managed to steal the win by pinning Belair, a decision that helped give her some much-needed momentum heading into the Royal Rumble.

Key Moments:

• The video package hyping Charlotte Flair’s return raised interesting questions about her role, as WWE has yet to clarify if she’s returning as a babyface or heel.
• Nia Jax’s interaction with the crowd added a little extra energy to the match.
• Morgan’s unexpected victory was a smart move, as it highlighted her potential for the upcoming Rumble.

Apollo Crews vs. Johnny Gargano: High-Energy Action

Next up was a singles match between Apollo Crews and Johnny Gargano, following a backstage segment where Crews insulted Gargano’s DIY background. Crews, who had been absent from television for some time, was finally given a chance to showcase his abilities once again. Both competitors were capable of mixing various wrestling styles, making this a diverse and exciting match.

Crews and Gargano did a great job working at a fast pace, with Crews using his strength and Gargano displaying his technical skills. The bout remained close throughout, with interference from Tommaso Ciampa, who tried to help Gargano. However, Crews pulled off a surprising roll-up victory, marking a rare win for him in recent months. This fast-paced, back-and-forth contest was enjoyable, but if they had more time, it could have easily been the match of the night.

Key Moments:

• Crews’ combination of strength and agility, like the gorilla press slam followed by a moonsault, was a sight to behold.
• Ciampa’s interference, including a running knee outside the ring, added a layer of intensity to the bout.

LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga: Aggression and Chaos

In one of the matches WWE hyped in advance, LA Knight faced Tama Tonga in a brawl-heavy encounter. Before the match, Knight delivered a brief promo mocking his opponent. The contest was characterized by aggression from both sides, as neither man held back. As soon as the bell rang, the fight spilled outside the ring, with both competitors using the barricades to dish out punishment.

Tonga, typically a more technical wrestler, showed off his raw power and aggression. Meanwhile, Knight, always the showman, played to the crowd and delivered his trademark cocky persona. The match was intense, filled with hard-hitting strikes, but Fatu’s presence at ringside didn’t directly affect the outcome. Knight managed to secure the win with his BFT finishing move, and just as Tonga attacked Knight post-match, Strowman came to the rescue to even the odds.

Key Moments:

• Tonga worked shirtless, showcasing his impressive physique.
• Fatu’s imposing presence at ringside added to the match’s intensity.

Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes: A Debut Match

In another match that had been set up earlier in the evening, Damian Priest faced Carmelo Hayes in a singles bout. Hayes was slightly hesitant about facing the much larger Priest but still tried to remain confident. The match started with Priest controlling the pace early on, but Hayes fought back, showcasing his athleticism at ringside.

Priest and Hayes worked a slower-paced match, allowing each big move to have more impact. Despite Hayes’ best efforts, Priest wasn’t going to lose in his SmackDown debut. He picked up the victory with his signature South of Heaven move, leaving fans impressed by his dominance.

Key Moments:

• The backstage draft announcement for Austin Theory and Grayson Waller added intrigue.
• Hayes’ selling of the chokeslam was particularly notable.

Main Event: Kevin Owens vs. Jimmy Uso

The main event of the evening featured Kevin Owens taking on Jimmy Uso, following their backstage altercation earlier in the show. Owens, in his usual fashion, took control early, taunting both Uso and the crowd. The match showcased the deep rivalry between these two veterans, but it wasn’t a show-stealer by any means.

The match was well-executed, with both men hitting their signature moves. Owens managed to secure the victory with his Popup Powerbomb, and just after the match, Rhodes came out, causing a brawl that elevated the stakes for SNME. While not the best match of the night, it served to continue the build-up for the weekend’s major event.

Key Moments:

• The backstage shot of Hayes following Uso added mystery to the storylines.
• Owens’ playful jab about wearing a Naomi shirt to the ring was a humorous touch.
• Owens’ selling of the knee-to-back during a senton was remarkable.