Browsing: CodyDrew

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SHOW SUMMARY:PWTorch editor Wade Keller is joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown including analysis of the Cody Rhodes-Drew McIntyre contract signing and if the new stipulation dramatically increases the plausible scenarios for Drew to actually end Cody’s reign, whether Cody could end up turning heel – with the seed being planted that he believes nice guys can finish first, but what if being nice backfires? Could he lean into his psychopath traits that people needle him about?

Then extended talk about the Ilja Dragunov U.S. Title Open Challenge and who could end it and get a boost. What about Montez Ford getting a singles push, with insight into why some popular and heralded wrestlers don’t ultimately get the big singles pushes.

Also, the state of the tag division, Jade Cargill’s heel presentation so far, R-Truth confusing Christmas and Halloween, and much more with chat interaction throughout.

FREE VERSION:AUDIO LINK

AD-FREE VIP VERSION:ÂVIP AUDIO LINK

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO

OTHER LINKS…

Or support us on Patreon…

–

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel…

–

–

Emails…

wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com

kellerwade@gmail.com

pwtorch@gmail.com

Source link

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 31, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH AT DELTA CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of tonight 7,045 tickets were distributed before showtime. They were set up for 7,816. The arena has a capacity of 20,000 spectators when configured for concerts. Last time at the arena no Nov. 22, 2024, it drew 8,394.

JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…

PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorchâ€s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. Weâ€ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!

Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. Weâ€ll read your emails live during the post-show.

If you canâ€t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller†and “pwtorch†in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.

VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE

LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER:

Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller†(or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).

OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE

[HOUR ONE]

-Michael Cole introduced the show as they showed the location of tomorrow night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event and tonight’s Smackdown. Then they showed Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill walking backstage.

-A clip aired of Jade attacking Tiffany Stratton last week.

-They went to Corey Graves and Cole at ringside who plugged the U.S. Title Open Challenge. Tiffany Stratton walked past them and stormed into the ring. She said she has a bone to pick for Jade and said she wants her to come out “right here, right now.” G.M. Nick Aldis walked out and told her to “please think this through.” He said she has been cleared with the qualification she cannot engage in any physical contact before tomorrow night, and he can’t put tomorrow’s match at risk. Tiffany asked if he thinks she cares what the doctors say. She called for Jade again. Jade walked out. Aldis told Jade no physical contact and called for security.

Jade said it’s not that serious and she “wasn’t going to do nothing.” She said it doesn’t serve her to engage tonight. She said what she wants it the title tomorrow after Saturday Night’s Main Event. “Taffy time is up,’; she said. Tiffany charged at Jade, but security held her back. Tiffany held her leg and limped back to the ring. She hed her belt as Jade smiled at her and backed away to the stage.

-They went back to Graves and Cole at ringside. Cole said Tiffany will be a fighting champion tomorrow night.

-A video package aired on Dragunov’s workouts to return from his injury. “Suffering is the true test of life,” he said. “The pain will entertain you.”

-Graves hyped the U.S. Title match with a mystery challenger.

-Dragunov made his entrance. [c]

-R-Truth was handing out candy dressed as Santa Claus to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Sabin and Shelley said it’s not Christmas. Truth said they were wrong and left. Solo Sikoa walked out and said they shouldn’t accept candy from a stranger. Then they discussed their shared interest in becoming tag champions. Sabin challenged Solo to a tag match later. Solo said he’d go talk to Aldis and later they’d show them how much has changed in a year.

(1) ILJA DRAGUNOV vs. NATHAN FRASER (w/Axiom) – U.S. Title Open Challenge

Dragunov smile when heard the entrance theme of Fraxiom. Tomasso Ciampa marched past them. He entered the ring and protested Dragunov giving Fraser a title shot and he called him a nerd. They shoved each other. Dragunov said everyone can face him, but he said Fraser stepped up first. Cole said Ciampa “begrudgingly left the ring.” The bell rang 16 minutes into the hour.

Fraser landed a running high knee at the bell. Dragunov fired back and chopped away at Fraser. Fraser leaped through the ropes and tackled Dragunov at ringside. Dragunov ducked a leaping Fraser and then chopped Fraser to the mat. Dragunov kicked Fraser off the ring apron at 4:00. Dragunov went after him at ringside with a released German suplex onto the floor. They cut to a break. [c]

Back in the ring, Fraser rallied and landed a (pretty harmless looking in terms of impact, which Graves acknowledged) running Shooting Star Press. Dragunov slammed Fraser hard with a one-arm slam for a two count at 10:00.

Fraser springboarded toward Dragunov who hit Fraser out of mid-air with a right fist. Fraser avoided a top rope senton and then landed his own top rope frogsplash for a near fall. Fraser’s chest was red from chops. [c]

Back from the second break, Dragunov had Fraser in an abdominal stretch. Fraser landed a running flip splash at ringside and then dropkicked Dragunov into the ringside steps. He urgently threw Dragunov itno the ring and then landed a Phoenix Splash for a dramatic near fall. Graves said that could be a heartbreaker for Fraser since he just landed his best shot.

Dargunov knocked Fraser off balance on the top rope with chops and then set up a back suplex. Fraser landed on the back of his head and neck in a nasty fall that seemed to concern Graves. The ref cleared him to continue. They stood and exchanged strikes. Dragunov then landed a his H-Bomb fistdrop for the win.

Fraser lifted Dragunov’s arm afterward. Cole said you can become a star even without winning the title.

WINNER: Dragunov in 20:00 to retain the U.S. Title.

(Keller’s Analysis: Keep serving those up every Friday night. Dragunov is going to be a legend by the time they run through another six or eight of these.)

-Gargano attacked Fraser as he was leaving the ring. [c]

-Cole commented on the previous match as they replayed the finish. Cole called it a classic. Then they showed Ciampa’s attack which Cole called “despicable.” They showed that Johnny Gargano joined in the right.

-They cut live backstage where everyone was still brawling. When the scene cleared, Dragunov looked at Tama Tonga who made his sinister laugh noises and admired the U.S. Title belt.

(2) KIT WILSON vs. CARMELO HAYES

Wilson made his entrance first. Then Hayes. The announcers said Wilson is tired of young minds bein poised by toxic masculinity. The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. Wilson took it to Hayes at the start. He wrapped Hayes arms around his head and stomped on his shoulder blades. He followed with twisting neckbreaker DDT. Graves said he’s never seen a DDT delivered like that. When Hayes made a comeback, Wilson rolled to ringside. Hayes landed a running flip splash onto Wilson at ringside. Miz showed up and threw Hayes into the ringpost and threw Hayes back into the ring. Wilson then landed a top rope elbowdrop for a believable nearfall. Wilson charged, but Hayes gave him the First 48 for the win.

WINNER: Hayes in 4:00.

-Afterward, Miz attacked Hayes and told him it’s not over until he says it’s over.

-Cathy Kelley interviewed Alex and Charlotte about the Kabuki Warriors attacking them on Raw. Bliss said they know where to find us if they want to chase what they have. Charlotte said she usually doesn’t let people in, but she let Bliss in, and she thinks she’s better off for it. Bliss said, “You’re unbelievable.” Charlotte said Nia Jax lives in fear and isn’t healed, which is why she has no friends. “Classic Gemini behavior,” she said. Bliss said she will show Jax why she outgrew her. Charlotte repeated, “Classic Gemina behavior.” Bliss wasn’t sure how to react to Charlotte’s astrology.

-Nia Jax made her entrance. [c]

-Sami Zayn told Aldis backstage that he knows he’s not cleared, but he wants to stand out there and have the backs of the Motor City Machine Guns later. Aldis said he is not cleared and he cannot authorize that. He asked him to please sit this one out. Sami said he would. Cody walked up and hugged Sami. He told Sami he is proud of his U.S. Title Open Challenge series. Sami told Cody he is pulling for him tomorrow and then walked off. Aldis asked Cody if he had anything to do with what happened to Jacob Fatu. Cody said he knows it’s hsi job to ask, but he didn’t. Aldis offered Cody a chance to look at the contract. Cody said he trusted him and told him to show it to Drew McIntyre.

(3) NIA JAX vs. ALEXA BLISS (w/Charlotte Flair)

Jax made her entrance first. Then Bliss and Charlotte. Cole asked Graves about the Bliss-Charlotte friendship. He said he finds it inauthentic and detrimental to both of their careers. He said they look like two people who watched movies about friends and are faking it. The bell rang 59 minute into the hour. The ref called for the  bell while Bliss’s back was turned. Graves said Charlotte was demanding Bliss’s attention at ringside and it cost her there. Graves said Bliss was better off when she only cared about herself and same for Charlotte. He said they can try to prove to him their friendship is authentic, but it won’t be easy.

[HOUR TWO]

Jax headbutted Bliss and went for an elbowdrop, but Bliss moved out of the way. A minute later Jax charged at Bliss on the ring apron, but Bliss moved. Bliss leaped off the ring apron, but Jax caught her and dropped her over the ringside barricade. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]

Back from the break, Bliss avoided a charging Jax. Jax shoved Bliss off the ring apron. Charlotte caught her and threw her back up to the ring apron. Graves said it was bending the rules. Bliss landed a crossbody press to Jax who was sitting and scored a two count. She followed with a DDT attempt. Jax avoided it, but then Bliss side-stepped Jax who went shoulder first into the ringpost. Bliss climbed to the top rope, but Jax picked her up and landed a Samoan Drop for a two count.

Jax set up an Annihilator. Charlotte stood on the ring apron, which distracted Jax. Bliss then kicked Jax and knocked her off balance. She then stack covered Jax for a three count. Jax was fuming mad afterward. Cole said the friendship paid off.

WINNER: Bliss in 9:00.

-Solo and his MFTs asked Rey Fenix what he wanted. Fenix said he doesn’t want to fight him. Solo told him to go trick or treat. Fenix stood on a crate and told Talla Tonga he wants to fight him because he put his hands on him. Solo said that’s fine, he’d see him next week. Fenix slapped Talla. Solo told Talla he’d deal with him next week.

-Cole and Graves hyped the contract signing for Cody and Drew later. Cole threw to the poker game skit with Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, C.M. Punk, and Brock Lesnar plugging WrestleMania in Las Vegas. Triple H narrated and said, “It’s anyone’s game.” [c]

-A vignette aired with Damien Priest telling Aleister Black it’s now personal and he’s coming for him. He said he won’t know when or where, but he knows why now. He said he’ll feel his venom when punishment comes for him.

-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. They plugged the SNME line-up.

-In the back hallway, Aldis told Tiffany she’s not cleared. Tiffany said she is going to be fine. Kiana James and Giulia told her it looks like Tiffy Time is coming to an end. James said she should have accepted their offer to be their back-up. Tiffany said she’ll find the time to beat their ass like she did last wee. Giulia said Tiffany won’t be talking like that or at all after tomorrow. Chelsea Green walked up to Aldis with Alba Fyre. Green said she wants a match against Giulia for the U.S. Title. Giulia agreed to it. Aldis said it’s fine with him. Green was so happy she might become the first and fourth U.S. Champion. Nikki Cross then startled them as she was standing behind them.

-Solo Sikoa and the MFTs made their entrance. [c]

-Cole narrated a clip from earlier of two local mascots having a wrestling match in the ring earlier. One of them did a People’s Wing for the win.

(4) J.C. MATEO & TAMA TONGA (w/Solo Sikoa) vs. MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)

Advertised Matches & Appearances

• Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
• Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson
• Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre contract signing for Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event
• Jade Cargill to address her attack on Tiffany Stratton

Source link

Ilja Dragunov

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

Smackdown delivered Friday night in nearly every way possible. A new champion, a new no. 1 Contender, and storybeats that will pay off for months to come. There were rumors of new writers behind the scenes, and the quality of this episode suggests that things werenâ€t business as usual, and that is a great thing for viewers!

Some caution remains regarding WWEâ€s ability to creatively stick the landings of their decisions tonight, but the fact remains that we were shaken up tonight – and shaken up in a good way.

As always, Iâ€m Chris Adams, and you can reach me at cadamsowj@gmail.com if you think Iâ€ve missed.

CODYâ€S OPENING PROMO: HIT

What makes Cody Rhodes so successful on the microphone is his ability to overcome a speech impediment while using an expansive and effusive vocabulary. Some might criticize him for word choices that may seem archaic or out of touch, but I see his vocabulary as an invitation to engage with the substance of his promos. That’s what makes a successful public speaker: You may not necessarily understand everything they say, but you’re drawn in and want to hear more nevertheless. An expert. A master. For my money, on the mic, heâ€s the real best in the world!

ALEXA BLISS & CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS. ZARIA & SOL RUCA: HIT

The worst match of the night, but that isnâ€t nearly as bad as it sounds. On a night with very few creative hiccups and fumbles, something has to be the “worst.” And here it is, but itâ€s not a death knell.

Zaria and Sol Ruca just donâ€t seem ready yet for the main roster. The evidence? The match felt like it never got into fifth gear, and the blame cannot be laid at the feet of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, the reigning and defending WWE Tag Team Champions. It was a fun showing with highspots of daring energy, but it was also a rather one-sided victory.

Charlotte Flair did most of the work, and I can’t help but wonder if Alexa Bliss got knocked around enough that she needed to hang outside the ring out of a sense of safety. When the time is right, Zaria and Sol Ruca will find their footing on the main roster and should not get lost among those at the top. They have distinct looks, setting them apart from anyone else. They both need to work on their finishers, especially Sol Ruca. For her career to have longevity, she will need a move that does not require such precise placement and visible staging.

I was not surprised by the results, but I had a great time getting there. All in all, a hit.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Smackdown: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “wade Keller†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

HAYES BLINDSIDES THE MIZ: HIT

The dissolution of Melo Don’t Miz has been a gift, for it means we will see an unshackled Carmelo Hayes, free from the dungeon of tag team mid-card stardom. However, there’s no guarantee he won’t just be relegated to another mid-card dungeon, which would be a pitiful shame.

I’m not sure why Hayes hasn’t been given more opportunities to shine, but I am glad they’re giving him something more to sink his teeth into. It was also deeply satisfying to watch him punch The Miz in the back of the head with the full force of a hurricane.

ILJA DRAGUNOV VS. SAMI ZAYN: HIT

The Dragon has awoken! With a roar, Ilja Dragunov answered the call. Dragunov: pure power. Dragunov: pure viciousness. He burst through the entrance to the stage with a hunger in his face. Ilja Dragunov answering the call for the U.S. Title is, for me, like Christmas morning. A gift that fills me with bliss! It’s a moment I’ve been waiting for since his injury, as he is one of my favorites.

There’s something about his performance that is pure and absolute, even compared to Gunther or Bron Breakker. Pure wrestling- thatâ€s Dragunov. The match was a back-and-forth, just like Sami Zaynâ€s Open Challenges have been.

Lest it go unsaid, which would be criminal, Samiâ€s Open Challenge has radically elevated the title. It had languished during the strangely booked title reigns of L.A. Knight and Shinsuke Nakamura. Its shine was dulled when it hung around the waist of Logan Paul. But when Sami got it, he made it feel like an actual prize again. It feels like something people would fight for, would sweat and bleed for. It feels like this because Sami has already made that true. He poured himself into these last two months, and his performance art has taken something just fine and made it something spectacular!

And now, with the belt being passed to Dragunov, it has been re-legitimized as a true wrestling championship. Not just a piece of jewelry, but evidence that one can go toe-to-toe with the best and come out on top. Also, we canâ€t forget to acknowledge that Dragunov leveled up his physique. He has come to kill, to destroy. And he has conquered, receiving the gilded title he deserves. Let the reign of the Mad Dragon be long and just!

THE WYATT SICKS FACE OFF WITH THE MFTS: MISS

There is absolutely nothing that excites me about a feud between the MFTs and the Wyatt 6. We can talk about all of the fumbles of the Triple H era, but one of the most disappointing has been the decline of the Wyatt 6. They have been creatively mishandled, neglected, and forgotten. While they were emerging on Raw, they had substance, life, character, and meaning. They had personality and pain. Now, they just come off as caricatures. They seem to be mere spectral heavies brought out for quick, nostalgic pops. Both the MFTs and the Wyatt 6 are not spectacular wrestling powerhouses, so a tag team match between them will be lackluster and uninspiring. I’ll call this a miss.

MCMG VS. LOS GARZA: HIT

It’s the one-year anniversary of the Motor City Machine Guns’ debut in WWE. And here they are in a sit-down interview, a retrospective on their time. But even this feels strangely false because they’ve been absent for the past several weeks. This episode seems to be reinvigorating the tag division and bringing it back to life after it had been put on hold. I appreciate the attention being paid to all the teams, with the appearances of Fraxiom and the showdown between the MFTs and the Wyatt Sicks.

Returning to the contest at hand, the match was better than fine, but not exceptional, which is a tragedy because we know they could give us so much more. They could move in and out of the ring with a fluidity that would be levels above other tag teams on the roster. Even Fraxiom, with their fluidity, still doesn’t have the synchronicity of the Guns or Los Garza. They could make the ringâ€s canvas a tapesty upon which to pain beautiful violence with aplomb!

Even still, both teams gave it their all tonight, and we saw another rousing performance as the Guns shot their silver bullets into the heart of Los Garza. They slayed the beast. Now let them go hunting like this every week!

CODY RHODES VS. DREW MCINTYRE: HIT

This main event bristled with a chaotic energy that I both love and fear. First, let’s talk about why I loved it.

It felt unpredictable, with Cody coming out and offering a match to Drew McIntyre right then and there, offering him a title match while he was wearing a three-piece suit! Offering him a title match while he was wearing Italian leather loafers. Cody will fight anytime and anywhere. But why was he fighting? He was fighting because he believed that Drew was responsible for Jacob Fatu’s unfortunate dental injury. The teeth on the ground and the pool of blood were a nice touch, a detail that showed this was much more serious than just a piece of metal scaffolding that got tipped over onto someone.

Jacob is gone, and Cody came full of fire to get revenge on Drew. The match was gripping to watch. I was engaged at every twist, every hit, every punch. For a moment, I thought we were going to see Cody lose his championship before he even took off his loafers. But no. Cody went for the belt, itself smashing Drew in the face, losing by disqualification. Did John Cena’s heel run affect Cody like a virus? Or was Cody just caught up in the moment, full of piss and vinegar that made him do something stupid?

All I know is, as fun as the match was, there are two things I’m worried about. First, what happens to Cody Rhodes? His booking has been strange. It’s as if the company wants to support him as the quarterback but also not let him make the winning pass. I don’t want a heel turn driven by reckless creativity because they haven’t clearly focused on how he can succeed as a fighting champion in the vein of the territory champions he loves so much.

I’m also concerned about Drew . Whatever his next match with Cody is, he needs to win it. Otherwise, he will perpetually be the challenger who can never succeed. The issue with that is, once you’ve exhausted that option too many times, Drew will no longer be seen as a threat. So if you face him, you know you’re going to win. More importantly, and more consequentially, we know he will lose. By repeatedly placing him in this position, it takes away our ability to feel suspense, to be captivated by the tension, to worry about the possibility that our beloved Cody might lose his championship in a moment of anger. They need to make bold, creative decisions at the right times; otherwise, the story will become stale and predictable.

We are approaching a crossroads, it feels like, with all of the injuries affecting major storylines. My hope is that Codyâ€s reign is not overlooked in the attempt to manage the deviations elsewhere, but Iâ€m not convinced my hope will be satisfied.

Source link

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)… SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch editor Wade Keller is…