Golden 1 Center · Sacramento, California
Cody Rhodes’ darker side emerged, Paige scored a controversial victory, and Trick Williams continued to build momentum on a SmackDown episode filled with personal rivalries and volatile confrontations.
The biggest development came in the closing segment, as Rhodes’ escalating conflict with Randy Orton took another unpredictable turn.
Match results and highlights
1. Trick Williams defeated Johnny Gargano.
Trick answered Gargano’s challenge after a tense exchange with WWE Champion Sami Zayn.
Gargano mounted stretches of offense, but Williams recovered and secured the victory with a flying knee and a Book End.
The win strengthened Williams’ position as a rising threat, while his confrontation with Zayn left their rivalry simmering.
2. Paige defeated Nikki Bella
The rivals traded hard-hitting offense in a heated rematch.
Nikki targeted Paige and attempted to turn the contest in her favour, but Paige escaped the pressure and rolled her up for the pin.
Paige used the ropes for leverage, however, making the victory controversial and leaving the feud far from settled.
3. Damian Priest defeated R-Truth by referee stoppage
The former tag-team partners finally clashed in the ring.
Priest gained control as the match progressed, but the contest ended when the referee stopped it after Truth suffered a hard landing.
Fraxion intervened to protect Truth when Priest looked to continue the assault.
The result did little to resolve their personal animosity.
4. Rey Fenix defeated Ricky Saints by disqualification
Fenix and Saints delivered a fast-paced championship contest for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship.
Saints appeared to have the finish in hand, but his altercation with referee Charles Robinson brought the match to an abrupt end.
Fenix retained the championship by disqualification, and Saints continued his attack after the bell.
Main event — Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton erupt
Cody Rhodes came to the ring demanding a face-to-face confrontation with Randy Orton, but Baron Corbin appeared instead and challenged him.
The situation quickly turned physical, and Rhodes eventually agreed to fight Corbin.
Orton finally made his presence felt, attacking Rhodes and triggering a disqualification.
The two former allies brawled at ringside, with Orton attempting to set Rhodes up for his devastating Punt Kick.
Rhodes fought back, hit a Cody Cutter, and appeared ready to use Orton’s own brutal finishing move.
Corbin briefly interrupted, allowing Orton to escape.
Rhodes then recovered and delivered a Punt Kick to Corbin as Orton watched from a distance.
The moment was significant. Rhodes has increasingly shown a more ruthless side, suggesting that his battle with Orton could push him toward a darker character direction.
Other major developments
Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley: The Women’s Tag Team Champions were interrupted by Fatal Influence.
Jacy Jayne’s faction attacked, but the champions fought back and stood tall.
CM Punk and Kevin Owens: The two exchanged words backstage. General Manager Nick Aldis indicated a rematch could take place once both men are healthy.
Chelsea Green and Blake Monroe: Their backstage exchange added tension to the women’s championship picture, with Nikki Bella also being positioned as a potential challenger.
GUNTHER and Danhausen: A brief segment hinted at further developments involving GUNTHER and Finn Bálor.
What’s next
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton: Rhodes’ increasingly aggressive behaviour has added another layer to their rivalry.
Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn: Their verbal confrontation suggests a future showdown could be on the horizon.
Paige and Nikki Bella: Paige’s controversial win leaves room for another chapter.
Rey Fenix and Ricky Saints: Saints’ post-match attack keeps the championship rivalry alive.
Damian Priest and R-Truth: The referee stoppage means their personal conflict remains unresolved.
Final assessment
SmackDown delivered a strong central storyline with Rhodes and Orton, while Trick Williams continued to build momentum and Paige earned a contentious win over Nikki Bella.
Some finishes were abrupt, particularly the Priest–Truth and Fenix–Saints contests, but the show advanced several rivalries heading into the next episode.
