WWE SmackDown Live Review: Results, Analysis, and Grades for October 25
Follow along with our live coverage for Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown Live.
While the superstars from RAW prepare for this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, SmackDown will emanate from Green Bay, Wisconsin. One of the major talking points coming out of last week’s episode revolves around the WWE World Championship. Tonight, Dean Ambrose has a chance to earn another shot at the title, with the only requirement being that he beat AJ Styles.
Shifting towards the Intercontinental Championship scene, the ongoing feud between Dolph Ziggler and the Miz continue to excite. Tonight, the former Intercontinental Champion will look to continue to be a thorn in the side of Ziggler. With his lackeys Kenny and Nicky by his side, one must wonder who can stop the Miz’s quest of regaining “his” championship.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Bray Wyatt and Kane will once again collide on SmackDown Live. However, this won’t be a normal one on one encounter, but rather a no disqualification match. With Luke Harper and the Viper likely to make their presence felt, this could very well end up being the match of the night.
Becky Lynch will also be making her anticipated return from an undisclosed injury. As one can imagine, Lynch will look to establish herself yet again as the dominant female on the roster. This is especially important considering how well her number one contender Alexa Bliss has been handled in recent weeks. In Lynch’s absence Bliss has helped to keep the SmackDown Women’s Division intact, and in doing so has showcased her abilities. With their Women’s Championship match on the horizon, expect Lynch and Bliss to encounter one other.
As Survivor Series continues to loom nearer, SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan has revealed that tag team qualifying matches will be taking place over the next few weeks. These qualifying matches will award the winning teams spots in the ten on ten Survivor Series elimination tag match against RAW. So far the only match announced is the Hype Bros vs The Ascension, but it’s quite likely other teams will make their presence felt as well.
Most importantly, with his back to back victories over AJ Styles, one must wonder what the future holds for James Ellsworth. Everyone’s favorite jobber has shocked the world as of late with his surprisingly large popularity. Expect Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon to address Ellsworth’s recent success at some point during the show.
So without further ado, here is the SmackDown coverage from October 25.
SmackDown Opener
The show starts off with a recap of the main event of SmackDown last week. Following the opening video the cameras shift to the backstage area where Dean Ambrose and James Ellsworth meet up. Although Ambrose was happy to see Ellsworth, he urged his friend to stay backstage while he handled AJ Styles tonight.
No Disqualification MatchBray Wyatt vs. Kane
Result: Bray Wyatt defeats Kane via pinfall.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Back to the ring, Bray Wyatt makes his entrance for his match against Kane. The Demon attempted a chokeslam through the announce table early on, but a timely save by Luke Harper spared Wyatt. Control then shifted back and forth, but continued interference by Harper shifted the momentum. but before long Orton comes out to make the save. A brief stare down between Harper and Orton ensues before Randy Orton hits an RKO on Kane! A shocked Wyatt successfully covers the Demon as Orton makes his way to the back.
Given that this way a no disqualification match, one would’ve expected a lot more than what was given. The commercial break in the middle of the action did little to help matters, as does Orton unwarranted attack on Kane. Where this puts Wyatt in this situation is anyone’s guess, but expect to hear more about that in the future.
Following the match, we go to the back to see AJ Styles getting interviewed. When asked about Ellsworth Styles has nothing but negative things to say. He states that he plans to put an end to both Ambrose and Ellsworth tonight.
Becky Lynch Returns
At the end of the break, Renee Young is in the ring introducing Becky Lynch, who receives a solid reaction from the crowd. Before Lynch can even address the crowd, Alexa Bliss makes her presence felt. Bliss mocked Lynch for postponing their match, before stating that her fairytale reign will end. Lynch reminded Bliss that it was the doctors, not herself, that kept her from defending her title. Bliss says that Lynch can fool the live crowd but not her, referring to her as an “Orange Troll”. Things then got physical which led to Bliss standing tall to end the segment.
A passionate performance by both Lynch and Bliss elevated this segment. The mystery surrounding Lynch’s injury is still apparent, but it’s great to have her back on SmackDown. She came across as a determined champion willing to fight for her throne at any time. Bliss meanwhile came across as the conniving and dastardly heel she needs to be. Come the November 8th edition of SmackDown, expect these two women to deliver.
The Hype Bros vs The Ascension
Result: The Hype Bros defeated The Ascension via pinfall.
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Before the match, both teams were on display in pre-recorded videos which hyped up each team and the upcoming Survivor Series event. The match itself was relatively short, with the Ascension taking control early on. Eventually, Ryder was able to make the hot tag to Mojo Rawley, and the Hype Bros were able to come back and pick up the win.
A short encounter, this match served to ensure the tag team match at Survivor Series receives a proper build. Unfortunately, these two teams aren’t as established as one would like, which in turn hurts the importance of the elimination style match up. During this match, it was also announced the Beauty and the Man Beast will also participate. Early prediction; SmackDown will win the match.
Natalya vs Nikki Bella
Result: Nikki Bella defeats Natalya via pinfall.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Following the commercial break, the conclusion of Wyatt versus Kane is replayed from earlier. After the video Orton is backstage being interviewed, where he states the adage “if you can’t beat them, join em” in regard to the Wyatts.
Next, up, Daniel Bryan and Natalya are discussing the triple main event at Hell in a Cell. Natalya suggests that she should lead the SmackDown women into Survivor Series. Bryan offers to put the captain spot up for grabs tonight, but states that the loser of the match will not be in the Survivor Series match.
Control of the match went back and forth early on, but Natalya gained the momentum as the match progressed. At one point in time, she managed to lock in the sharpshooter, but Nikki successfully reached the ropes. Natalya wouldn’t be as resilient later on, tapping out to the STF (a move made famous by John Cena). As soon as the match was over Carmella assaulted her rival Nikki, leaving her lying on the mat following a Bella Buster.
A strong showing by Natalya and Nikki Bella helped to make this match better than one would expect. With this win, Nikki is now the team captain for SmackDown’s female team at Survivor Series. The post-match assault by Carmella shows that WWE is still keen on building this rivalry, so don’t be surprised to see Carmella join the team in the near future.
The Miz Questions Ziggler’s Credibility
Ambrose is interviewed following the match, during which he cuts a promo about how he intends to be victorious tonight. Just as we go to break Miz and Maryse walk through the arena with Kenny and Mikey in tow.
Kenny and Mikey start things off and give Miz a motivational chant before he addresses the crowd. Miz talks about how SmackDown has been in “dark times’ since Ziggler won title sixteen days ago. He claims that Ziggler is degrading the championship, which leads to the champion making his way out. Ziggler offers Miz a rematch for the title on the spot, but he declines, claiming he’ll compete when he’s ready. He starts to approach Ziggler with Kenny and Mikey, but then Rhyno and Slater come out to even the odds. Slater takes the mic and exchanges verbal insults with Miz, but Rhyno ends up being goaded into a tag team championship match right now.
Grade: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Despite the fact that this feud has been going on for months, the emergence of the Spirit Squad and the Tag Team Champions have helped to keep the action fresh. With only two hours to work with every week, SmackDown needs every moment to mean something. This was a strong segment which ensured that all of the champions on SmackDown are receiving ample TV time.
SmackDown Tag Team Championship MatchBeauty and the Man Beast (c) vs Kenny and Mikey
At the end of the break, we return to see Kenny taking control of Slater while Miz and Ziggler trade insults over commentary. Rhyno eventually manages to get the hot tag and takes it to Kenny, and soon after things get heated between Miz and Ziggler at ringside. Kenny gets distracted and goes over to check what’s going on, but this only allows Slater to knock him into Miz. Moments later Rhyno hits the Gore on Mikey for the win.
Result: Rhyno and Heath Slater defeat Kenny and Mikey via pinfall to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
Grade: 3.75 out of 5 stars
Rushed by SmackDown’s two-hour format, this match could’ve been so much more had it been given an extra five minutes. While it’s smart not to have Kenny and Mikey appear as viable threats to the tag team champions, they still have been given a prominent spot on SmackDown. Still, this match served as a way to continue the feud between these six men, and it’ll be interesting to see how things develop from here.
No. 1 Contender’s Match for the WWE World ChampionshipDean Ambrose (with James Ellsworth) vs AJ Styles
Result: AJ Styles defeats Dean Ambrose via DQ
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
As Ambrose makes his way to the ring, he once again ran into his buddy Ellsworth. Ellsworth expressed his gratitude to his friend and asked to be in his corner tonight, a request Ambrose reluctantly accepted.
During the match, Ambrose and Styles delivered a competitive encounter. Towards the closing moments, Styles hit Ellsworth, who in turn hulked up and super kicked the champ. This drew the DQ finish and allowed Styles to win, costing Ambrose a shot at the title.
Although the narrative throughout the night hinted at Ellsworth costing Ambrose the match, it was still a surprising finish. Accident or not this will be sure to rile up Ambrose, who will likely have a bone to pick with him down the road. As for the WWE World Championship situation, it’s only a matter of time before The Lunatic Fringe receives that lucrative title match.
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