‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (May 1st 2026)
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: Jacy Jayne def. Charlotte Flair
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Jacy Jayne picked up one of the biggest wins of her career when she knocked out Charlotte Flair in impressive fashion. The match quickly turned into a hard-hitting affair with The Queen delivering her signature chops and The Rockstar answering with a devastating knee strike. Flair locked in the Figure-Eight, but Fallon Henley knocked her arms loose to break it up, leading to a huge match-ending Rolling Encore.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: WWE Tag Team Championship – Damian Priest & R-Truth def. Fraxiom
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The WWE Tag Team Title remains with Damian Priest and R-Truth after a hard-fought battle with Fraxiom. Nathan Frazer and Axiom looked stellar, but once Priest broke up the Catapulto Inferno, it spelled the beginning of the end. The former World Heavyweight Champion hit a South of Heaven on Frazer and a Razor’s Edge on Axiom to win the bout and retain the title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Cody Rhodes def. Ricky Saints
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returned to the ring and was forced to quell a threat from SmackDown’s newest Superstar, Ricky Saints. The American Nightmare only recently was medically cleared for action, but he struggled early as Saints capitalized on his moment and even hit his own version of Old School on the top rope as well as a Revolution DDT. Rhodes fought his way back into the match, and one swift counter allowed him to deliver a hellacious Cross Rhodes for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Royce Keys def. Angel
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Royce Keys continued to dominate, this time taking down Angel. Berto tried to help his cousin, but Keys hit an Ultimate Spinebuster to mercifully end the match.
My Score: SQUASH out of 5
Match #5: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Paige & Brie Bella def. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Brie Bella and Paige continue to show that they are fighting champions as they took down the team they dethroned at WrestleMania 42, The Irresistible Forces. Nia Jax and Lash Legend looked determined to win back the gold, using their incredible power to stun the champions and leave them down in a heap. Not even a Paige Turner or a Bella Buster could fell the powerful challengers, but a timely counter by Paige allowed Brie to roll up Jax to secure the victory.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Overall this week’s Smackdown felt like a show that went through the motions rather than one that truly delivered anything memorable. There were some notable moments on paper – Jacy Jayne scoring a shock win over Charlotte Flair should feel huge – but the reliance on interference took the shine off what could have been a statement victory. The tag title match was solid enough, with Fraxiom continuing to impress despite the loss, while Cody Rhodes’ return ticked the box it needed to without ever getting out of second gear. Elsewhere, the Royce Keys squash was exactly that, blink and you’ll miss it, and the Women’s Tag Title match never quite clicked despite the star power involved. Nothing here was actively bad, but very little stood out either. A flat, middle-of-the-road episode that lacked urgency and excitement from top to bottom.
