WWE SmackDown Recap – WarGames Is Getting Clearer

Alright, let’s get into the squared circle and break down this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Grab a cold one, because things got wilder than a last-minute audible at the goal line.

So, What’s the Deal with WarGames?

SmackDown kicked off with the looming specter of WarGames, and honestly, the drama was thicker than a referee’s rulebook. Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky hit the ring, looking like they were ready to start a brawl in an empty arena. They brought out their supposed teammates, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, for what was meant to be a show of unity.

Instead, Flair pulled the ultimate “it’s not you, it’s me… but also, it’s definitely you” move. She looked at Ripley and basically said, “I trust you about as far as I can throw a vending machine.” She declared there was too much bad blood and walked out, leaving her team high and dry.

Bliss looked as confused as a rookie quarterback facing a blitz he didn’t see coming. This whole segment could’ve been a text message. It felt like a team meeting where the star player announces they want a trade, right before the championship game. A little drama, but not much sizzle.

Jey Uso vs. The Miz: Kicking Off the Cena Send-Off Tourney

First up in the “The Last Time Is Now” tournament, we had “Main Event” Jey Uso taking on The Miz. The Miz, ever the opportunist, interrupted Uso’s crowd-pleasing entrance. It’s like booing Santa Claus. You just don’t do it.

The match itself was a decent back-and-forth. The Miz pulled out all his classic hits, including the kicks he famously borrowed, or, let’s be real, stole, from Bryan Danielson. You have to respect the commitment to the bit. He even landed his Skull Crushing Finale, but Uso is apparently running on pure adrenaline and the power of the “Yeet” movement, because he kicked out.

Uso eventually rallied, hit a spear and the Uso Splash, and punched his ticket to the next round. A solid, if not spectacular, opening contest.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom: The Show-Stealer We Didn’t Know We Needed

Now, this is where the SmackDown got interesting. The U.S. Champion, Ilja Dragunov, put his title on the line in an open challenge. While DIY was backstage complaining like they got a bad call from the ref, Axiom stepped up to the plate.

And holy smokes, did these two deliver. From the opening bell, it was pure, unadulterated chaos in the best way possible. Axiom was flying around the ring like a human pinball, and Dragunov, who has the strength of a guy twice his size, was hitting back with chops that sounded like a bat cracking.

This wasn’t just a wrestling match; it was a high-speed collision. The springboard DDT spot was so gnarly that, for a second, I thought they overshot the landing, but they stuck it like a perfect 10. Dragunov ultimately retained after a brutal fight, but Axiom looked like an absolute star. This was the five-star, prime-time game of the night.

Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa: Words, Words, and More Words

Sami Zayn came out to talk some trash to Solo Sikoa. Predictably, Sikoa showed up with his crew, the MFTs, looking like they were ready to crash the party. Sikoa tried to play it cool, saying he’d wait until Zayn was medically cleared to fight. Plot twist: Zayn revealed he was cleared and dared him to take a swing.

Just when you thought it was about to be a 4-on-1 beatdown, Zayn revealed he brought his own posse. Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, and the Motor City Machine Guns hit the scene like a special teams unit on a mission. It was a classic “I knew you’d bring friends, so I brought some too” standoff. The good guys cleared the ring, and it looks like we’ve got a big Survivor Series match brewing. It was a decent segment, but about as predictable as a quarterback sneak on 4th and inches.

LA Knight vs. Matt Cardona: A Blast From the Past

Next up, LA Knight faced a mystery opponent. And who comes out? None other than Matt Cardona, a.k.a. Zack Ryder! The man, the myth, the “Woo Woo Woo.” The announcers were a bit confused, calling him Ryder, but the fans knew who it was.

These two have such similar styles, it was like watching two mirror images go at it. The chemistry was there from the start, making it a surprisingly competitive bout. Cardona looked great, and for a minute, you thought he might just pull off the upset. But this is LA Knight’s world right now, and we’re all just living in it. Knight hit the BFT for the win and moved on in the tournament. It was fun seeing Cardona back on SmackDown, even if it was just for a cup of coffee.

Jade Cargill vs. B-Fab: A Quick Squash

Jade Cargill had her first match as champ against B-Fab, and it was… short. Let’s be honest, this was a squash match. Cargill tossed B-Fab around like a rag doll, hit a couple of powerbombs that looked a little wonky, and ended it with her Jaded finisher. Cargill looked dominant, which was the point, but the match itself was sloppy. It was over before you could even get your popcorn. Not every play can be a touchdown, I guess.

Cody Rhodes vs. Bronson Reed: The Main Event Mess On SmackDown

The main event saw “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes defend his WWE title against the monstrous Bronson Reed. This had the makings of a classic power-vs-speed matchup. Reed used his size to dominate early, and Cody had to rely on his heart and quickness to stay in the fight.

Just as the match was heating up, Logan Paul decided to make an appearance, causing a disqualification. Suddenly, it was a free-for-all. The Usos ran down, followed by a “suspended” Drew McIntyre. The whole thing descended into chaos, with Bron Breakker spearing Jey Uso through a table and McIntyre laying out Rhodes with a Claymore Kick.

SmackDown ended with McIntyre and Paul standing tall, leaving more questions than answers. It was a frustrating, dirty finish that’s becoming way too common. It’s like ending the Super Bowl on a controversial penalty call—nobody leaves happy.