Friday Night SmackDown aired from Orlando, Florida, delivering a mix of thrilling moments and frustrating errors that defined the evening’s show. The event showcased the ongoing United States Championship Open Challenge and featured significant returns, high-impact segments, and a main event that left fans disappointed due to a disastrous finish. This WWE SmackDown highlights review covers the standout moments and the major pitfalls from the night’s broadcast.
Energetic Opening Scene Featuring Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman, and Randy Orton
The night began with Paul Heyman’s trademark verbosity, setting the tone with his cryptic references to Brock Lesnar’s return. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes stepped in to question Heyman about Lesnar’s looming presence, which escalated when Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker appeared ring-side, amplifying the tension. Despite being outnumbered, Rhodes handled himself well, only for Randy Orton to make a surprise comeback, intervening with an RKO on Bronson Reed to level the playing field.
This alliance between Rhodes, The Vision (Heyman), and Orton, though perhaps temporary, showed great promise leading into upcoming high-stakes events like Crown Jewel and WarGames. Rhodes’ ability to withstand these assaults, aided by Orton’s timely return, demonstrated the blue brand’s potential for engaging storytelling.
Disastrous Main Event with Botched Finish Damages SmackDown’s Closing Moments
While the show’s start was strong, its conclusion was marked by one of the worst finishes seen on SmackDown. The main event, a title match that struggled with sloppy in-ring sequences, culminated in a chaotic series of failed pinfalls that left viewers baffled. Jade Cargill executed her signature move, Eye of the Storm, on Nia Jax. Despite the move’s visual impact, it failed to secure the anticipated victory.
Tiffany Stratton was meant to disrupt the pinfall and capitalize by stealing a win, but complications arose when Jax kicked out, seemingly because she believed Stratton wouldn’t arrive in time. However, just before Stratton’s interference, Jax’s shoulders stayed down for an unusually long count, yet the referee refrained from making the three-count, likely due to confusion over the earlier escape.
The situation worsened as Stratton performed her planned pin without a count, followed by a Moonsault that did lead to victory. This entire sequence amplified an already weak feud characterized by poorly developed characters, unconvincing motivations, and subpar promos, compounded by uneven in-ring performances. The chaotic finish served as a glaring example of the pitfalls when inexperienced performers and inconsistent writing collide in a high-profile World Title storyline.
Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge Continues to Revive Interest on SmackDown
Sami Zayn’s reign as United States Champion has been a significant force in rejuvenating SmackDown’s competitive edge. His ongoing open challenges have produced some of the most memorable and technically impressive matches of the year, while also advancing compelling storylines. Zayn’s bouts against notable stars such as John Cena, Rey Fenix, and Carmelo Hayes have been highlights that blend skilled wrestling with effective narrative development.
Last night, Je’Von Evans rose to the occasion, responding to Zayn’s open challenge with a noteworthy performance. Evans, a young, promising talent from NXT, displayed qualities that mirror Zayn’s own style, earning admiration from fans familiar with his previous appearances. Both competitors showcased athleticism and storytelling that helped elevate the quality of SmackDown’s mid-card scene. Sami Zayn’s consistency and alignment with the creative direction have made his open challenges a must-watch segment each week.
Developments Surrounding Drew McIntyre and the Return of Jacob Fatu
Drew McIntyre took center stage this week to address WWE management and Cody Rhodes after his Wrestlepalooza defeat. McIntyre’s remarks highlighted his frustration with the WWE authority’s decisions, which he believes unfairly influenced the outcome of his title match. Despite being challenged by Nick Aldis, who refuted his claims, McIntyre appeared justified given the confusing and controversial ending of the Wrestlepalooza main event.
Questions loom over McIntyre’s current role as an anti-authority figure, especially at a time when WWE’s leadership is losing fan support. Rumors suggest that McIntyre and Rhodes wanted Randy Orton to inadvertently cost Rhodes the WWE Championship at Wrestlepalooza, a storyline that would have reshaped perceptions of these characters. The actual finish, however, weakened Rhodes’ image and made McIntyre appear misguided, exacerbating questions about creative consistency in WWE’s storytelling.
The dismissal of McIntyre’s concerns by Aldis mirrored the frustrations many fans feel over WWE’s booking choices. If the storyline continues logically, McIntyre’s perspective should be validated, pushing WWE management, and possibly Rhodes, into a corner. Yet, WWE’s creative direction appears unlikely to explore this avenue fully.
Amid this narrative uncertainty, Jacob Fatu’s return to SmackDown has been announced as McIntyre’s next opponent. Both men entering this feud with diminished credibility after recent setbacks adds tension and uncertainty to the storyline’s potential success.
Why These Moments Define SmackDown’s Current Chaos and Future Challenges
Friday Night SmackDown displayed the chaotic duality of WWE’s current product—brilliant moments of storytelling alongside confusing and painful booking decisions. The impressive chemistry during the opening segment and Sami Zayn’s open challenge provide hope that the blue brand can still deliver engaging wrestling entertainment. Meanwhile, the botched main event finish and inconsistent character portrayals underscore the deep-rooted creative struggles affecting the show’s overall quality.
For SmackDown to regain consistent momentum, WWE must address these narrative inconsistencies and invest in talent development while refining its creative structures. The night’s surprises, from Randy Orton’s impactful return to Jacob Fatu’s arrival, suggest new directions but also highlight the precariousness of current storylines. As Crown Jewel approaches and WarGames looms, the effectiveness of these decisions could shape SmackDown’s standing for weeks to come.
