‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Oct 31st 2025)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: United States Championship – Ilja Dragunov def. Nathan Frazer
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
United States Champion Ilja Dragunov continued the Open Challenge by squaring off against Nathan Frazer. Before they could start, Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring to contest Frazer’s chance. Eventually, Ciampa left, allowing Frazer and Dragunov to battle. Frazer and Dragunov left nothing off the table as they engaged in a hard-hitting affair. Frazer hit a gnarly dropkick that knocked Dragunov into the steel ring steps before connecting with a Phoenix splash, but Dragunov kicked out. Dragunov leveled Frazer with a powerbomb before executing the H-Bomb to win the match. After the bout, Ciampa knocked out Frazer from behind.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: Carmelo Hayes def. Kit Wilson
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Kit Wilson hit Carmelo Hayes with a unique DDT, but it was not enough to earn the win. The Miz ambushed Hayes from behind, sending him into the ring post and allowing Wilson to hit an elbow drop. Hayes kicked out before nailing the First 48 to win the match. Following the contest, The A-Lister again blindsided Hayes.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Alexa Bliss squared off with Nia Jax, renewing their epic 2018 rivalry. Jax caught Bliss as she leapt off the apron and sent her into the barricade. Jax leveled Bliss with a Samoan drop, but Bliss mustered enough energy to kick out. As Jax went to the top rope to go for an Annihilator, Charlotte Flair distracted Jax. This allowed Bliss to hit a dropkick and quickly roll up Jax to get the victory.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Tama Tonga & JC Mateo def. Motor City Machine Guns
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Following a backstage confrontation, The Motor City Machine Guns took on JC Mateo and Tama Tonga. As Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were going for Skull and Bones, Solo Sikoa provided a distraction that allowed Tonga to hit the Cutthroat on Sabin. After the match, The MFTs looked to beat down MCMG, but Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura arrived to offset The MFTs. The MFTs, however, brutalized Fenix and Nakamura.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s Smackdown served as a mixed go-home show, balancing solid in-ring work with some uneven storytelling. The night kicked off strongly as Ilja Dragunov issued an open challenge answered by Nathan Frazer – a fast-paced, athletic contest that showcased both men’s intensity and left the crowd buzzing. The main segment between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre brought drama and tension, though the stipulation build-up felt a little muddled. Elsewhere, Alexa Bliss took on Nia Jax in a hard-hitting bout that furthered their ongoing feud but didn’t add much beyond filler energy. Overall, this episode had its moments, particularly the Dragunov match, but lacked the punch expected before a major event.
