Friday Night SmackDown aired on the USA Network, showcasing the aftermath of Evolution and Saturday Night’s Main Event while building anticipation for the upcoming SummerSlam Premium Live Event. The SummerSlam WWE SmackDown Highlights included intense matches and moments, but an illogical main event segment involving Cody Rhodes cast a shadow over the show.
Unjustified Women’s Tag Team Title Opportunity Draws Criticism
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship scene is currently dominated by Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez of Judgment Day, who are set to defend their titles at SummerSlam against the Allies of Convenience (AoC), a team made up of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. This championship match was announced during SmackDown, but it raised eyebrows due to AoC not earning the shot through any significant victories.
Charlotte Flair revealed she secured the title match through a conversation with WWE management. Alexa Bliss accepted the opportunity positively, despite ongoing tensions between the two. However, since AoC lost at Evolution in a Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match and lacked notable wins leading up to this, fans found the decision to grant them a title opportunity unearned and disappointing, suggesting lazy booking despite the likelihood of an entertaining bout.
Dynamic Men’s Tag Team Division Steals the Spotlight
The men’s tag team division on SmackDown continues to thrive, featuring some of the most exciting teams in professional wrestling today. The roster includes high-profile duos like The Motor City Machine Guns, DIY, Rey Fenix and Andrade, The Wyatt Sicks, The Street Profits, Los Garza, Pretty Deadly, and Fraxiom.
This week’s Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match featured Rey Fenix and Andrade defeating Fraxiom, DIY, and The Motor City Machine Guns after a thrilling contest. As former AEW stars, Fenix and Andrade’s victory sets up a showdown with The Wyatt Sicks on the next SmackDown episode for the tag team titles. The match also gave Candice LeRae a chance to shine, further elevating the division’s depth. These developments suggest the men’s tag division remains the strongest in WWE heading into SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes and John Cena Contract Segment Creates Confusion
The show’s main event involved a contract signing segment and promo exchange between John Cena and Cody Rhodes, promoting their Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam. Cena attempted to back out due to filming commitments, but Rhodes aggressively confronted him, culminating in Rhodes forcing Cena through a table and coercing him to sign the contract while unconscious.
Although the segment had action and drama, it broke down upon closer examination because forcing someone to sign a contract under duress has no legal standing. This moment damaged Cody Rhodes’ character credibility or reflected poorly on the creative team responsible for the booking, leaving fans frustrated with an illogical storyline development overshadowing an otherwise strong show.
Intense Bloodline Rivalry Develops Between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
Perhaps the most compelling story on SmackDown was the escalating feud between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu within the Bloodline saga. The New Bloodline has dissolved, with Solo Sikoa now heading The MTF, which includes Talla Tonga, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa. The faction cleverly framed Jacob Fatu for a vehicular assault, leading to Fatu’s temporary arrest.
However, after evidence cleared Fatu’s name, he and Jimmy Uso retaliated by attacking JC Mateo and Tonga Loa. The police then arrested Solo instead. Despite the somewhat outlandish plot, the segment was captivating and effectively built tension for an impending Steel Cage Match between Sikoa and Fatu. This ongoing real-life inspired rivalry has injected fresh energy into WWE storylines, creating meaningful conflict heading into SummerSlam.
SummerSlam WWE SmackDown Highlights Reveal a Mix of Strength and Flaws
Overall, this SmackDown episode delivered a blend of high-quality wrestling action and emotionally charged rivalries, underscored by an atmosphere of intense anticipation for SummerSlam. The men’s tag team division’s competitive matches and the Bloodline’s drama stood out as show highlights, proving WWE’s storytelling potential when executed well. Conversely, illogical booking choices, particularly in the women’s tag team title picture and the Rhodes-Cena contract segment, detracted from the show’s momentum.
As SummerSlam approaches, WWE faces the challenge of capitalizing on its strong points while correcting missteps to maintain fan engagement. How the company balances compelling narratives against questionable creative decisions will likely shape audience reactions and future storylines in the blue brand.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a yearly wrestling show organized by WWE, the biggest pro wrestling company, since 1988. Known as “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” it is thought of as WWE’s second most important event after WrestleMania.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2025 2 nights?
A. Wrestler John Cena, who holds the title of Undisputed WWE Champion, faces Cody Rhodes again in a WrestleMania rematch. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will be the venue for the first two-night SummerSlam event, happening on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2 nights in 2025?
A. Come to WWE SummerSlam 2025, the first SummerSlam to take place over two nights. It will be live on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3. Watch top Superstars, memorable moments, and continuous action at MetLife Stadium. Join this historic event that transforms the biggest party of the Summer!
Q. Will John Cena be at SummerSlam 2025?
A. John Cena and Cody Rhodes will meet at a SummerSlam contract signing. They are set to have a WrestleMania rematch at this event. This match is for the Undisputed WWE Championship, currently held by John Cena.
