The final episode of “SmackDown” before the highly anticipated Saturday Night’s Main Event saw a dramatic contract signing turn into chaos as Drew McIntyre overpowered Cody Rhodes, crashing him through a table. This confrontation set the stage for their upcoming match, where the stakes are high for both competitors.
The show, which took place in Salt Lake City, also featured the continuation of the United States Title Open Challenge, showcasing significant performances from various wrestlers. Ilja Dragunov retained his championship against Nathan Frazier, while Carmelo Hayes achieved victory over Kit Wilson. Additionally, Alexa Bliss secured a win in singles action against Nia Jax, contributing to a dynamic evening of wrestling.
Contract Signing Sparks Intense Brawl
The contract signing segment quickly escalated as McIntyre initially refused to agree to the match’s terms, arguing they were unfairly in Rhodes’ favor. His protest stemmed from the fact that Rhodes would retain the championship in the event of a disqualification or countout. Tensions rose as McIntyre brought up sensitive topics regarding Rhodes’ family, prompting a furious response from Rhodes. In a fit of rage, Rhodes smashed McIntyre’s head onto the table, leading to a physical altercation that ended with McIntyre delivering a devastating Claymore kick and sending Rhodes crashing through the table.
This intense confrontation ended “SmackDown” on a dramatic note, giving McIntyre a psychological edge heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event.
High-Quality Matches Highlight the Show
The United States Title Open Challenge continued to deliver exciting matches, with Dragunov’s bout against Frazier standing out. The match was well-received, with both competitors showcasing their skills. The competition intensified when Tomasso Ciampa attempted to answer the challenge, only to be outmaneuvered by Frazier. Following the match, an unexpected attack from Ciampa on Frazier led to a brawl involving multiple wrestlers, suggesting that a tag team match could be on the horizon.
Meanwhile, the MFT (featuring JC Mateo and Tama Tonga) secured a victory over the Motor City Machine Guns, further establishing their dominance on the show. The evening was marked by a surprise appearance from Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura, who sought revenge against MFT, intensifying the ongoing rivalries.
In a lighter moment, a mascot match featuring the Utah Utes’ mascot, Swoop, and Cincinnati’s Bearcat provided a humorous and entertaining interlude. The playful competition resonated with the audience, showcasing the fun side of wrestling, which is often overshadowed by serious rivalries.
As the show drew to a close, questions lingered regarding the ongoing investigations into the attack on Jacob Fatu, with general manager Nick Aldis humorously dismissing Rhodes’ potential involvement. The episode effectively set the stage for upcoming events, blending intense rivalries with lighthearted moments.
Overall, this “SmackDown” episode delivered a mix of suspenseful confrontations and high-quality matches, leaving fans eagerly anticipating Saturday Night’s Main Event.
