The professional wrestling promotion, WWE, proceeded with its European circuit on Friday, presenting another three-hour installment of its “Smackdown” program in London, subsequent to the unexpected championship alteration from the prior week.
The Reigning Victor Arrives
Subsequent to a review highlighting the prior week’s pivotal championship victory that shifted organizational dynamics, Drew McIntyre was greeted with an enthusiastic reception in London, complete with traditional bagpipe music, pyrotechnic displays, and fiery bursts emanating from the ring posts.
McIntyre endeavored to diminish the local adoration by antagonizing the attendees, querying their absence during his dismissal, his conflicts with the Bloodline faction, and his confrontations with CM Punk. Having effectively provoked a negative reaction from the spectators, McIntyre unequivocally stated that Cody Rhodes would not be granted a subsequent contest.
Although a considerable portion of their recent contention centered on his authority to dictate bout conditions, McIntyre neglected to mention that he seemingly arranged for General Manager Nick Aldis to enact a provision precluding Rhodes from any return match opportunity.
Randy Orton swiftly entered the squared circle following this to challenge McIntyre, prior to Jacob Fatu’s appearance, who then directly engaged the champion physically. Fatu assaulted McIntyre, leading the latter to eventually leap over the barricade and elude “The Samoan Werewolf” by moving through the crowd.
The Miz emulated Orton’s tactics, emerging unexpectedly behind “The Viper” and executing a Skull Crushing Finale, just before the official signaled the commencement of the initial qualifying contest among four scheduled.
Orton Triumphs, Miz Falls — A Familiar Outcome?
Subsequent to their brief encounter from the preceding week, The Miz momentarily held an advantage until Orton delivered the performance the spectators desired. Orton executed his signature maneuvers, including a powerslam, venturing to the ringside area to hurl Miz onto the commentary desk, and subsequently landing his middle rope DDT.
The Miz connected with an additional Skull Crushing Finale, yet it proved insufficient to secure a definitive victory over Orton. Conversely, Orton countered a pin attempt, delivered an RKO, and thereby secured the inaugural position in the Fatal 4-Way match slated for Saturday Night’s Main Event, aiming to become the premier challenger for the WWE Undisputed Championship.
Is Continued Collaboration Possible?
Prior to Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair entering the ring to face Giulia and Kiana James, Bliss inquired whether Flair’s illness the previous week was genuine or merely feigned. The pair consistently hinted at their potential for cooperation until Bliss departed, at which point Nia Jax and Lash Legend sowed seeds of doubt in Flair’s mind concerning her associate.
These provocations had no discernible effect on the subsequent contest, which unfolded largely as anticipated. Giulia exerted considerable effort to sustain her team’s prospects, but a tag to James created an opportunity for Bliss to execute Sister Abigail, securing the pinfall. Post-match, Jax and Legend stormed the ring, incapacitating both Bliss and Flair, while Giulia was restrained as she attempted to confront them.
Cody Rhodes Resumes His Pursuit
Rhodes entered the ring, pondering if his recent championship tenure had become overly predictable. Curiously, he expressed satisfaction with not receiving a championship rematch, stating his readiness to ascend from the lowest ranks once more.
Rhodes announced his participation in the Royal Rumble event and issued a direct challenge to Fatu, asserting that Fatu was due for a significant reckoning.
Melo and Cardona Present a Dilemma
Trick Williams and Matt Cardona found themselves in challenging circumstances. Williams is evidently being established as a self-assured, emerging talent transitioning from a successful run in NXT. He enjoys substantial popularity, and granting him initial impetus might circumvent issues WWE faced with Carmelo Hayes’s integration from NXT. Simultaneously, Cardona’s comeback to WWE from independent circuits carried considerable weight.
Placing these two individuals into a qualifying bout for the No. 1 contender spot presented WWE with an unenviable scenario, as one of them was destined to incur a defeat. Of the pair, Williams was an excellent selection to proceed in the contender’s qualification, demonstrating WWE’s confidence in his potential for advancement.
Following the contest, Kit Wilson advanced to the ring, exacerbating Cardona’s defeat by assaulting him.
Jacob Fatu Dominates (Saturday Night’s) Main Event
Wilson was delivering a spoken address within the ring concerning harmful masculine traits when Fatu abruptly appeared behind him, delivering a superkick that sent him out of the ring, subsequently issuing a challenge to Rhodes. It appears Fatu has temporarily shifted his focus from the promotion’s current champion, McIntyre, content with engaging in a physical confrontation with the former champion, Rhodes.
Rhodes promptly rushed to the ring, though security personnel rapidly intervened, filling the ring and separating the two competitors. It was previously noted in Uncrowned’s recent article on emerging talents that Fatu ought to be positioned at the same level as individuals like Rhodes – and that prediction has materialized. He is scheduled for a match against Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
An Inevitable Confrontation
The Wyatt Sicks and the MFT factions exchanged verbal declarations, detailing their ongoing conflict regarding the lantern previously taken from the Wyatt Sicks, preceding Solo Sikoa’s bout against Damian Priest in the contest to qualify as the No. 1 contender.
With the MFT repeatedly asserting their influence and impeding Priest, it was ultimately the Wyatt Sicks who countered, striving to reclaim the lantern. Uncle Howdy was on the verge of grasping it before Sikoa burst from the ring, throwing him over the commentary table.
This diversion created an opportunity for Priest to deliver the South of Heaven chokeslam, securing the victory via pinfall. Post-match, just as Uncle Howdy was poised to retrieve the lantern, Talla Tonga intervened, placing him down and seizing the object.
The upcoming week is scheduled to feature these factions competing for the WWE Tag Team championship.
👑 Uncrowned Highlight of the Evening 👑
A promising preview of WWE’s prospective landscape was offered as U.S. Champion Carmelo Hayes and Leon Slater engaged in an intensely competitive and thrilling encounter.
The pair initiated their contest with a rapid tempo, with Slater fully demonstrating his legitimate credentials as a contender. Even with Hayes seemingly sustaining a minor knee injury early on, both participants proved to be exceptionally compatible opponents throughout a match that maintained its high energy.
Hayes and Slater grappled with impressive speed and accuracy, exchanging intricate submission maneuvers and demonstrating inventive tactics in a truly invigorating contest. Slater narrowly missed victory, but, as is widely known within the wrestling community, his stature is significantly ascending.
This also marked another notable achievement for Hayes, who has commenced his year 2026 with considerable success.
Contention for the United States Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura was observed backstage observing the United States Championship match prior to being accosted by Tama Tonga. Tonga issued a caution, declaring that following the MFT’s capture of the tag-team titles, he intends to challenge for the U.S. belt, advising Nakamura to avoid interfering with his aspirations.
Johnny and the Enigmatic Mask
Backstage, Axiom insisted on the return of his mask from Johnny Gargano, who disclaimed any knowledge of its whereabouts. Nathan Frazer, donned in a different mask, then struck Gargano and declared a match for the following week. Frazer and Axiom shared a laugh before departing.
Jordynne Grace Ascends Rapidly
Chelsea Green stands as arguably one of the most underestimated performers on the current roster. While she receives ample appreciation, she remains, in some respects, undervalued. She is capable of delivering exceptional contests, possesses an engaging persona, and effectively elevates the presentation of her adversaries.
Green served as an ideal rival for Jordynne Grace, whose stature has rapidly risen into contention for top-tier matches. In yet another closely contested bout, Grace secured a decisive pinfall victory over Green, subsequently confronting WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, who was positioned at ringside.
Green made an attempt to assault Grace from the rear, but inadvertently dislodged Cargill from the ring apron, causing the championship belt to fall into the ring. Grace briefly held the title for a pose before returning it to Cargill.
Ilja Dragunov Debuts, Sami Zayn Soars
McIntyre displayed distinctly varied responses when confronted backstage by these two potential adversaries. He largely disregarded Dragunov while in the midst of evading Fatu, yet dismissed Zayn with a laugh, confident in his undefeated history against that particular challenger.
Dragunov and Zayn subsequently engaged in an intense battle from the very outset. They exchanged forceful blows, exhibited considerable technical skill, and Dragunov sustained an early laceration in the contest, resulting in blood flowing down his face.
Dragunov attempted his signature H-Bomb maneuver from the corner, but a precise front kick caused him to stagger. Zayn later failed to connect with a Helluva Kick, and both continued to exert relentless pressure on one another. The two contenders manipulated the emotions of the London spectators with multiple near-falls and an instance where Zayn barely avoided a count-out defeat.
Zayn ultimately secured victory over Dragunov with an exploder suplex, followed by a Helluva Kick, thus confirming the earlier backstage encounters as apt foreshadowing. Dragunov seems to be another promising talent destined for future main event prominence, while Zayn is on the verge of contending for the championship in Riyadh at the Royal Rumble.
While Zayn was commemorating his triumph, Williams pursued him, delivering a Trick Shot and standing over his defeated challenger as the broadcast concluded.
👑 Following yet another outstanding installment of “Smackdown,” I assign this broadcast a Crown rating of: 9/10. 👑
