‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Feb 7th 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: Elimination Chamber Qualifier – Bianca Belair def. Piper Niven
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair and Piper Niven collided for a chance to compete in the Elimination Chamber. Belair kept trying for the K.O.D., but Niven was too strong and didn’t allow The EST to lift her. Eventually, Belair lifted Niven to hit an immense K.O.D. to qualify for the Chamber.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Pretty Deadly def. #DIY
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After being rebuffed by WWE Tag Team Champions #DIY for a title match, Pretty Deadly ended their one-sided alliance with the titleholders. After the two teams verbally sparred, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis made the match. This surprised Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, as they were not dressed to compete. Pretty Deadly used this to their advantage, as they shocked the champions by defeating them, with Elton Prince using the ropes to pin Ciampa.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Elimination Chamber Qualifier Triple Threat – Drew McIntyre def. LA Knight & Jimmy Uso
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Drew McIntyre’s first match back on SmackDown was an intense one as he collided with LA Knight and Jimmy Uso in a Triple Threat Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. Knight looked to superplex Uso, but McIntyre grabbed Knight by the waist to send all three crashing to the mat. Knight hit a leaping elbow onto McIntyre, but Jimmy interrupted the count. Jimmy almost had the match won after hitting an Uso Splash on Knight, but The Scottish Warrior pulled the referee out of the ring. As Knight was setting up Uso for a BFT, McIntyre Claymore’d The Megastar and pinned him to win the match and the third spot in the Elimination Chamber Match.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Carmelo Hayes def. Akira Tozawa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After assaulting Akira Tozawa prior to the Royal Rumble Match and leaving him unable to compete, Carmelo Hayes collided with the Alpha Academy member. Tozawa knocked Hayes down with multiple strikes and kicks, but Hayes connected with Nothing But Net to win the match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Elimination Chamber Qualifier – Alexa Bliss def. Candice LeRae
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Alexa Bliss competed in her first singles match in more than two years when she battled Candice LeRae for a chance to enter the Elimination Chamber. LeRae kept taunting Bliss, which ignited a fire inside the five-time world champion. Bliss caught LeRae with the Sister Abigail to win the match and the spot in the Chamber.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso def. Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Following a fight earlier in the evening, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and 2025 Royal Rumble Winner Jey Uso teamed up to take on Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Rhodes connected with the Cody Cutter on Fatu, but The Samoan Werewolf kicked out after only a one-count. Fatu looked to take out Rhodes, but Uso came to the rescue and sent Fatu over the announce table. This allowed Rhodes to hit the Cross Rhodes on Tonga for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
I’m in shock! We actually got more than four matches on a main WWE show! However, aside from two of those the show was remarkably average. Again. What is it with Smackdown these days? Since Raw moved to Netflix it’s like Smackdown is being made mundane so as not to compete with the “higher profile” show – and that’s despite the appearances of Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, and Charlotte Flair. I have no idea what the WWE are up to… Maybe this show’s in a holding pattern until Wrestlemania? Who knows. But what I do know is that if they keep up like this, I might start recommending folks watch this via YouTube and social media clips!
