Warning: The following copy has SPOILERS for WWE SmackDown (Aug 10, 2025)
TheWWERoyal Rumblefallout continues as this week’sSmackDownrolls into Memphis, TN.RumblewinnersJey Uso and Charlotte Flair will be onSmackDownto address the blue brand’s champions, Cody Rhodes and Tiffany Stratton. The Bloodline will be in town, and Damian Priest will react to being eliminated bySmackDown’s LA Knight. There will hopefully be an update on the medical status of Roman Reigns, and hear from Kevin Owens after he attacked his best friend, Sami Zayn, at the end ofMonday Night Raw.
Elsewhere,Elimination Chamberqualifiers are underwaywhen Alexa Bliss returns to take on Candice LeRae. Binaca Belair attempts to book her spot in the Chamber against Chelsea Green’s Secret Hervice, Piper Niven, and there’s a huge Triple Threat between LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Jimmy Uso. Who will join CM Punk, Liv Morgan and John Cena inElimination Chamberfor the last chance to go to a heavyweight Championship match atWrestleMania?
Cody Rhodes Is In Real Trouble
The Strain On Being WWE’s Most Hunted Is Starting To Show
After they famously parted ways as a Tag Team with the WWE Champion saying “until we Yeet again”,Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso have a magnetic charisma that is undeniable. Their press conference after winning the tag titles was legendary, and their friendship feels as real as it gets in the WWE. This lovable friendship makes a match between the two less appealing, but anytime they share a ring is essential viewing.
But nothing spoils a party like The Bloodline. Jacob Fatu is intimidating by nature, but his mic work has an ominous feeling to it, slowly unraveling that trouble is imminent. Fatu is one of WWE’s most compelling characters, and with the WWE Champion hurt from his Royal Rumble match and Solo Sikoa arriving at the end of the show,Cody’s road toWrestleManiajust got a whole lot more difficult.
SmackDown’s Tag Team Division Is Red Hot
The Depth Of The Division Is Currently On Full Display
SmackDown’s Tag Team division has been one of the best parts of WWEand that has been the case for a few months now. The arrival of Motor City Machine Guns kickstarted a revolution on the blue brand that has only gathered momentum since. The exciting, newly heel Street Profits, Los Garza on a mission, and champions DIY have been on top of the world, butthis week was about one of WWE’s best kept secrets.
After a year of hyping their homemade Musical,Pretty Deadly gained title shots by defeating DIY. The English duo are a whirlwind of comedic excellence and over-the-top bravado, but WWE has a history of making teams like Pretty Deadly work. Too Cool, Enzo and Cass, and The IIconics should all provide Elton and Kit with the inspiration they need to find their niche. A roll-up victory over DIY means they have earned a title shot. After a year of fun skits and maximizing their minutes, Pretty Deadly deserve this.
Drew McIntyre Returns After A Long Week
The Scottish Warrior Gains All The Attention On His New Show
Discussion around wrestling’s dirt sheets is often a cesspit, butrumors emerged of a genuine rift between LA Knight and Drew McIntyre. Reports suggested that Drew stormed out of the building after last week’s Royal Rumble match, livid wtih Knight for “having to get all of his moves in”. When the two were put in a triple threat match, fireworks could be expected, and they definitely delivered.
Before the match, each man got mic time, with LA Knight ending his promo “oh yeah, I nearly forgot to get all of my stuff in. With everybody saying…”. McIntyre’s face was a picture, and it built tension and circumstance around an already huge Elimination Chamber match.McIntyre had the last laugh by gaining victory to qualify forElimination Chamberto meet CM Punk and John Cena, but a great feud is brewing between Knight and Drew.
Charlotte Flair Is Back On Track
The Woman Confirms Her Character In This Return To Form
Charlotte Flair’s promo work onRawfelt confusing for both performer and audience, as she swayed between simping for the audience’s affection and showing them who’s boss. There was no confusion here, asCharlotte Flair put the whole women’s division down. Her mic time was pure villainry, contempt dripping from her every word like she’s already the pinnacle of WWE.
Tiffany Stratton was made to look desperate as she fawned for Flair’s attentions atWrestleMania, something purposeful that will certainly be addressed in the coming months. 2025’s Nia Jax feels like a viable competitor for Charlotte, and when Alexa Bliss’s music hit, it was a reminder of how WWE’s women’s division is growing in quality by the quarter. With Flair back, Bliss’s victory putting her inElimination Chamber, Chelsea Gree addressing a field of women for her US title, and a slew of incredible NXT women on the horizon,business is booming with WWE’s women.
SmackDownhad a lot more action than this week’s post-Rumble Raw, with Charlotte Flair, LA Knight and a newly heel Street Profits standing out. TheSmackDownTag team division is red hot right now, Drew McIntyre setting his sights on Cody Rhodes is no less than his 2024 deserves, and the raising profile of Jacob Fatu is endlessly enjoyable. Alexa Bliss returned in impressive form, Pretty Deadly took their biggest steps towards being a major part of the tag division, Kevin Owens was electric, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes' relationship being under scrutiny has intrigue on its side and now Solo’s back on an excellentWWE SmackDown.
