After appearing on both SmackDown and Raw over the past week to address John Cena’s attack on him at Elimination Chamber, Cody Rhodes will be the guest on what is being listed as a “special edition” of Miz TV tonight.
Also on tap, #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins). The winners of the match will eventually face Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson), who won the number one contender spot in a Triple Threat match last week.
Randy Orton will return to ring action tonight when he faces Carmelo Hayes. The match was set up in a backstage segment last week that featured Nick Aldis. Also returning to singles action will be Charlotte Flair, who squares off against B-Fab. Flair will face Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania next month.
Tonight’s episode will air on same-day tape delay from Barcelona, Spain, as it kicks off WWE’s European tour. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Establishing shots of outdoor Barcelona opened the show as Joe Tessitore narrated. The crowd was hot as hell inside the building.
– Footage of Cody, Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, The Street Profits, #DIY, Paul Heyman and Randy Orton walking backstage aired. LA Knight received an introduction and Knight walked to the ring for the first segment.
The LA Knight segment
These European crowds for the next couple weeks might actually make SmackDown watchable – my God, this crowd is as hot as the deepest part of the sun – but I digress. This was a fine opening promo and the thing about crowds that don’t see Knight in person as often as American crowds do is that when they see Knight, boy, they lose their minds. Knight’s heat has been kind of/sort of waning in recent weeks, but that was most definitely not the case here. Is the U.S. belt at the center of the multi-man secondary title match at Mania? Or will that go to the Intercontinental Championship? Or both? Or neither? Either way, this was a fun way to start the program.
Knight stood in the ring with a microphone and the crowd went absolutely nuts. Knight soaked in the cheers and it even kind of looked like he might get emotional for a second. Knight started with a few “Yeahs!” before getting to the “Let me talk to ya!” line. Knight said they were making history tonight as it was the first SmackDown in Barcelona. The crowd erupted again. Knight smirked. Knight said he might be the U.S. champ, but he’s worldwide. “You deserve it” chants began.
Knight said it was too long that he stood there without the U.S. title, but now the belt is back in the hands of who it should be – LA Knight. Jimmy Uso’s music then hit and Big Jim walked out with a microphone, looking angry. Uso stepped into the ring and said he wasn’t out there to congratulate Knight; he was out there to tell Knight he was desperate. Uso said his road to WrestleMania is getting thin and the only way he might get there is if he challenges Knight for the U.S. title in Barcelona.
Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa walked out with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Sikoa walked to the ring and said if there’s anybody who deserves a U.S. title shot, it’s Jacob Fatu. Sikoa recalled how Knight stole a pin from Fatu to get a shot at the U.S. title. Sikoa called Jimmy the “biggest failure of the family.” Uso said the biggest failure he ever had was trusting Sikoa. Fatu and Sikoa got on the apron and ultimately, Fatu, Sikoa and Tonga put the boots to Knight and Jimmy. Braun Strowman’s music hit and Strowman ran to the ring, where he cleared the ring.
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis walked out and said he could see that there were three people on each side and a six-man tag-team match would start now. He said that after he spoke in Spanish for a minute. The crowd loved it. The show went to a commercial break.
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LA Knight, Jimmy Uso & Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu [10:11 of TV time]
A crowd-pleasing opening six-man that felt more like a house show main event than a TV opener, but we are in Spain, and international TV tapings feel more like house shows than they do typical TVs anyway (plus red-hot crowds, of course). Hey. I don’t make the rules. The brawls after the match were the most noteworthy things. It appears Knight and Sikoa are on a path together while the Stroman/Fatu program feels like it might be wearing out its welcome. Fatu always stands tall and the novelty of the two going at it has faded just a little bit. Still – and as is usually the case – Fatu looked great, even if the schtick is becoming repetitive. And that means something. I just hope they get Fatu out of this in time for him to hop into something more interesting for WrestleMania. I won’t hold my breath.
The match was joined in progress and Sikoa beat down Jimmy, but Jimmy turned that around quickly. Sikoa came back with a Spinning Solo to slow things down. Fatu tagged in, much to the delight of the live crowd. Tonga tagged in quickly and kept the offense on Jimmy. Sikoa then tagged back in and hit a hip attack. Fatu tagged in and Jimmy landed a step-up enziguri. Knight then received the hot tag and Knight hit Fatu with a jumping neck-breaker. Knight followed that up with a DDT, but that was good for only a one-count.
Fatu fired up and yelled at the crowd. Fatu went for a splash in the corner, but Knight moved and went to the second rope, where he executed his jumping leaping elbow from the top. Knight set up for a BFT, but Fatu worked out of it and hit Knight with a jumping back elbow. The show then went to another commercial break.
The show returned and Sikoa was working over Knight. Sikoa went for a hip attack, but Knight moved and ultimately landed a back supelx to get the hot tag to Strowman, who came in and ran everyone over. With the heels on the outside of the ring, Strowman successfully got in his Strowman Express. Knight dropkicked Sikoa and Jimmy landed a splash onto Fatu on the outside. Inside the ring, Strowman hit his running powerslam on Tonga and that was good enough for the win.
After the match, Sikoa ran in and his a Samoan Spike on Strowman. Knight then fought Sikoa through the crowd and to the back. Fatu popped up and super-kicked Uso. Fatu landed a back elbow, a series of headbutts and a moonsault on Strowman. Make that two moonsaults on Strowman. Make that three moonsaults on Strowman. Fatu then got a running head start from the entrance way and crashed Strowman through the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Strowman sold pain while Fatu stood up and walked his way to the back.
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– A video package on the drama that unfolded between Naomi, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill last week aired.
– Cathy Kelley sat down with Cargill in the empty arena from earlier in the day. Cargill said she’s feeling good and ready to go. Cargill called Naomi pathetic because Cargill didn’t need a handout. Kelley asked Cargill how Cargill knew Naomi was the attacker. Cargill got emotional and said all she could recall was being hit in the back and being thrown on the car. Cargill said as everything got dark, she watched as Naomi ran away. Cargill said Naomi attacked Cargill’s loyalty, integrity and heart. Cargill was mad that Belair tagged with Naomi like nothing happened. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walked by and yelled at Cargill, reiterating they didn’t attack Cargill. Morgan taunted Cargill and Cargill challenged Morgan to a match next week. Morgan accepted, laughed at Cargill and walked away, calling Cargill a “loser idiot.” Cargill then stormed out of the interview.
– B-Fab was shown walking backstage and spoke Spanish. B-fab said she was there to build her own legacy and that will start by beating Charlotte Flair. B-Fab then made her entrance.
Charlotte Flair defeated B-Fab [9:06]
The match was fine, and I’m happy B-Fab got some offense in, even if that meant the match went a little bit longer than it probably should have (the most influential booker of WWE TV matches are not Paul Levesque; they are commercial breaks). The really story, like the first match, was what happened afterwards. The brawl was very good. That’s two very good WWE pull-aparts recently (Punk and Rollins being hte other), which isn’t common, so I’m glad to see the company leveling up on that oftentimes tired pro wrestling trope. Tiffy and Charlotte showed great fire and it felt like the post-match brawl lasted almost as long as the actual match that preceded it (no, I’m not complaining). It finally feels like Charlotte and Tiffy have heated up their program to the next temperature. There’s still a ways to go, but this was a good step froward.
he two soaked in crowd chants before locking up. It was about 45 seconds until the two did just that. Charlotte backed B-Fab into a corner and backed away before running the ropes. They locked up again and Charlotte took B-Fab down with a shoulder block. Charlotte chopped B-Fab repeatedly. Charlotte went for one more and B-Fab moved and clotheslined Charlotte. B-Fab slammed Charlotte and got a one-count out of it. Charlotte then rolled to the outside and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Charlotte did the Stephanie Vaquer double-leg face-busting thing. Charlotte posed, but then B-Fab kicked Charlotte. B-Fab fired up and landed a vertical suplex on Charlotte. B-Fab followed that up with a back kick, but Charlotte came back with a boot of her own. B-Fab responded with a pump kick for a two-count. Charlotte came back with her version of a super-kick and a Natural Selection. Charlotte gloated and worked a Figure-Eight for the win.
After the match, Charlotte wouldn’t release the hold and Tiffany Stratton’s music hit. Stratton ran out and she brawled with Charlotte as the crowd loudly chanted “Tiffy Time!” A big old ton of officials ran out to break it up. Charlotte, at one point broke away and tackled Tiffy. Officials restored order. Tiffy pulled Charlotte to the outside to keep brawling, but the officials kept keeping the two apart. Tiffy got loose again and went at Charlotte. After some more separation, Charlotte jumped off the commentary table onto Tiffy. They broke up again, but then Tiffy landed a flip dive onto Charlotte and all the officials. Tiffy was finally dragged tot he back by the officials.
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– A Drew McIntyre vignette aired. Drew recalled all the different ways he’s been screwed, which included Drew losing the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. He also mentioned Clash At The Castle and Money In The Bank and CM Punk’s role in all of the screwing. Finally this year’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber were brought up and Drew claimed Damian Priest was the reason he was screwed during those events.
– An AJ Styles vignette aired.
– Miz TV was about to start, but Charlotte and Tffy brawled back into the entranceway. It was great. The commitment the bookers are giving to this is starting to get really good. The whole thing ended with a Senton from Tiffy from top of the entranceway video screen onto Charlotte.
– Cody made his entrance for Miz TV and before a “Whoa!” Miz cut Cody’s music. Cody entered the ring and punched Miz before hitting him with a CrossRhodes. Cody said he didn’t want to talk to The Miz or anybody; instead, he wanted to talk to John Cena, so next Monday in Brussels, he plans on doing just that. So much for Miz TV.
– Footage of Aldis talking to Nakamura from earlier today aired. Damian Priest walked into the frame while Nakamura said he wanted a rematch with LA Knight. Nakamura spoke to Priest in a foreign language and Priest spoke to Nakamura in a foreign language, saying he was looking for a fight. Aldis made Nakamura vs. Priest an official match. Priest’s entrance music then began and it looks like we are going to that match right now.
– A teaser for a new wrestler aired and the streets is saying it’s for Rey Fenix.
Damian Priest defeated Shinsuske Nakamura via DQ [9:26]
Here we are, three-for-three when it comes to the most interesting things happening after an actual match. The McIntyre post-match attack packed more of a punch than the match Priest had with Nakamura, but the wrinkle of having Nakamura join in on the Priest attack made things just interesting enough to say this was worthwhile. Give credit where it’s due: McIntyre and Priest are trying their damndest to heat their program up on the way to WrestleMania. This was a tiny step forward, but not nearly the leap that Charlotte and Tiffy had earlier. In the meantime, at least there weren’t steps backwards and that’s worth celebrating.
The two soaked in some chants after the bell rang and then traded control. Nakamura quickly had control, but Priest came back by clotheslining Nakamura over the top and to the outside. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Nakamura was working a chin lock on Priest. Priest fired up, and caught Nakamura for a slam. Priest followed up with a Broken Arrow and the action spilled to the outside, where Priest threw Nakamura on top of the commentary table.
Back inside the ring, Priest set up for Old School and did his version of it, complete with a cross-body. Priest got the crowd behind him, but Nakamura countered whatever Priest was going for and Nakamura tried an arm-bar. The two traded strikes until Priest landed a strong lariat. Priest set up for his finisher, but Drew McIntyre showed up and distracted Priest. Nakamura took advantage of it, but ran into a South Of Heaven. Priest went for a pin, but Drew attacked Priest and that ended the match.
After the match, Priest and McIntyre brawled inside the ring. Drew eye-gouged Priest and Nakamura hit a Kinshasa on Priest. Nakamura left the ring and Drew smirked. Drew then went to work on Priest. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Drew threw Priest to the outside and ran Priest into the crowd barrier multiple times. Drew then ran the ring steps into Priest’s head. Drew walked to the back … or at least started to, before running back into the ring, where Priest stood, and hit Priest with a Claymore Kick. Drew shouted at Priest as Priest lay motionless. Drew then actually walked to the back.
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– Cathy Kelley interviewed #DIY backstage. Ciampa said SmackDown has the greatest tag division in all of the business because #DIY is on top. Gargano said the Profits are better because they’ve worked with #DIY. Gargano said Barcelona will find out that the best tag team in the world is #DIY. Ciampa then asked Kelley how they say “moment of silence” in Spanish. Motor City Machine Guns walked into the frame and reminded the heels about what they did to win the tag titles.
– Randy Orton was shown walking backstage and the crowd got really loud.
– FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was shown in the crowd.
– Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre were interviewed by Kelley backstage. Green touted herself as the most dangerous women’s U.S. champion in history. Green called Fyre her secret weapon and now Green’s administration is in full force. Zelina Vega showed up and Niven got in the way, saying if Vega wanted to get to Green, she had to get through Niven. Vega said next week, she’ll face Niven and that will secure her opportunity to win the U.S. title.
Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes [10:52]
Orton stuck out his hand for a handshake and Melo teased Orton as he didn’t return the favor. Orton then went to work on Melo and threw him into the ring post. Orton then suplexed Melo onto the commentary table and posed as the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Melo had the upper hand and worked on Orton’s leg. Melo chop-blocked Orton and got a two-count. Orton came back and clotheslined Melo before landing his snap powerslam.
Melo went for a springboard move and Orton caught him to landed a wild powerslam for a great near-fall. Orton set up for his draping DDT and hit it. Orton played to the crowd, which was more than happy to play their part as they chanted “RKO!” Melo rolled to the apron to shut it down. Melo landed a neck-breaker over the top rope on Orton. Melo went to the top and missed Nothing But Net, but Melo came back with a springboard DDT for a two-count.
Melo went to the top, but Orton cut Melo off. The two traded blows with Orton getting the best of it. Orton followed it up with a super-plex from the second rope. The crowd chanted “RKO!” Orton set up for it, but Melo denied it and hit a First 48, but Orton no-sold it and hit the RKO for the win. After the match, Orton stood Melo up and tried for another handshake, but Melo pushed Orton away … so Orton RKO’s Melo again. The crowd wanted to see it again and Orton set up for the Punt Kick, but Kevin Owens pulled Melo away. Owens punched Orton and then ran through the crowd to get away from Orton.
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– Sikoa, Fatu and Tonga were shown talking backstage. Fatu cut a promo and yelled at Strowman. Fatu challenged Strowman to a match next week on SmackDown.
– Gunther made his entrance in his wrestling gear, but the show went to a commercial break before Gunther got to the ring.
– Gunther said the “road to WrestleMania in Europe starts tonight in Europe.” As the greatest European wrestler of all time, Gunther said as he called himself the greatest European wrestler of all time, he wanted everyone to know he’d rather be in Madrid. Gunther turned his attention to Jey Uso, but moved off him quickly to call out A-Kid (Axiom), who is from Spain. Gunther then introduced Axiom … and Axiom actually made his entrance for a match.
Gunther defeated Axiom [9:24]
I loved this. I have no idea what anyone else thinks and I did my best to avoid spoilers throughout the day, so maybe I’m in the minority, but I loved this. Gunther gave Axiom so much offense. As in. So. Much. Offense. And while the result wasn’t really in question, those false-finishes were a joy to watch as that red-hot crowd walked with them every step of the way. It’s great to see Axiom get some homecoming flowers, but send a bouquet to Gunther, too, for knowing the role, playing it perfectly, making Axiom shine, and still look like a guy who is inevitably impossible to beat. This was one of the best things on SmackDown in recent memory, even if it is the product of The Rare International TV Taping Gimmick. I just loved all of this.
Gunther threw Axiom around early on, but Axiom never backed down. Gunther went for a pair of chops, but each time, Axiom ducked them and landed chops of his own. Gunther looked annoyed and the crowd went crazy. Loud chants broke out, but I have no idea what they were saying. Axiom went to Gunther’s arm and followed up with some kicks to the face … until Axiom ran into a chop from Gunther, who then posed and the show went to a commercial break.
Back from the break, Gunther tried to rip Axiom’s mask off, but Axiom countered and hit a shotgun dropkick from the top rope. Gunther chopped Axiom, but Axiom came back with some chops and kicks of his own. Gunther lifted Axiom, but Axiom countered with a roll-up … but Gunther hit a dropkick and a powerbomb for a great near-fall and the live audience went crazy. Gunther went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. Axiom actually hit a Rana from the top rope and followed it up with a Golden Ratio for a great near-fall.
Wade Barrett was losing his voice while screaming over all this. Gunther chopped the hell out of Axiom, but Axiom kept kicking Gunther. Axiom tried to stretch Gunther, but Gunther countered with a powerbomb and a hell of a lariat. One more powerbomb was enough to get Gunther the win. After the match, Gunther worked a sleeper hold until some referees broke it up.
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– A video recapping the Rollins/Punk cage match from RAW aired.
The Paul Heyman segment
Eh. The crowd didn’t care as much as Heyman thought they should – that was clear. But in reality, he was out there to sell them a video game and let them in on the secret that they wouldn’t see Roman Reigns tonight despite the fact that they have been randomly chanting “OTC!” all night. It’s a tough spot to be in, but Heyman did the best he could.
Heyman was standing in the ring and said he’d hype the crowd on two things. Heyman said he’d keep it short and sweet and that today is officially “Roman Reigns Day” because today is the release of the WWE 2K25 video game. Heyman said he was sure everyone would go home and play the video game. That was item No. 1. Item No. 2 was that some people had a problem it was “Roman Reigns Day.” One of the people who had that problem was CM Punk. The crowd responded with “CM Punk!” chants.
Heyman said that unfortunately, it’s not CM Punk Day; it’s Roman Reigns Day. Heyman said it will also never be Seth Freakin Rollins Day. The crowd responded by singing Seth’s theme song. Heyman said he hates that song and if anyone has a problem with any of this, then they could say it straight to the face of their Tribal Chief next week in Italy because Roman Reigns will appear on SmackDown. Heyman said it’s not a prediction; it’s a spoiler. Heyman threw the mic and walked out of the ring.
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– Next week, Roman Reigns will return. Also, Jade Cargill will battle Liv Morgan. Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven. Braun Strowman is set to go one-on-one with Jacob Fatu. Or, at least these are the things that are booked
– The Street Profits were shown walking to the ring and ran into Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar wished them luck. Montez yelled for Barcelona and cut a promo on their way to the ring. Ford said all they’ve heard is noise and tonight, they’re going to wake everybody up. Dawkins said tonight, they will walk out as the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Ford and Dawkins shouted that they want the smoke.
– Jimmy Uso and Gunther had a confrontation backstage before the main event.
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions [11:51]
Good for the Profits. In a quick moment of hindsight, it sort of just now struck me that the best option for the SmackDown tag champs has always been the Profits. MCMG just couldn’t get over as hard as they tried. #DIY did their best to elevate the titles, but they still felt second-rate with Gargano and Ciampa holding them. Pretty Deadly? No. Los Garza? Double no. The Profits actually have experience being actual WWE stars, so why not them? I like the decision and I liked the match. Good action. Nice false-finishes. Really solid work all-around from all four men. Most importantly, I hope this puts to bed the idea of a 4,2010-man tag match at ‘Mania for the titles the Profits just won, if only because it seems like the idea of the tag division being one hot mess might be stabilized now that Ford and Dawkins have the belts.
Dawkins and Ciampa started the match. They went back and forth for the first 45 seconds until Ford tagged in and hit an assistant moonsault for a two-count. Ciampa rolled to the outside and Ford tagged in Dawkins, who ran over to punch Gargano. Upon rolling back into the ring, Ciampa put the boots to Dawkins. Gargano tagged in, but Dawkins caught Gargano during an attempted DDT and slammed. Ford tagged in and clotheslined Gargano and kicked Ciampa on the apron. With Ford on the apron, Gargano pushed Ford off it and the show went to a commercial break after that.
Back from the break, Ciampa went to lift Ford for a Fairytale Ending, but Ford stopped him and back-dropped him. Gargano tagged in for a split second and then Ciampa tagged back in, but Ford got the hot tag to Dawkins, who hit a back elbow on Ciampa and followed that up with a spinning splash in a corner. Dawkins lifted Ciampa and tagged in Ford, who hit an assisted backdrop for a near-fall. Ford went to the top and tried a 450 splash, but Ciampa got the knees up. Gargano tagged in and #DIY hit a Shatter Machine on Ford. Dawkins broke up the pin attempt.
Things broke down and all four men traded moves. Gargano ran into a knee from Ford and that slowed things down. Dawkins tackled Ciampa into the timekeeper’s area. Back in the ring, Dawkins lifted Gargano on his shoulders and Ford went to the top, but Ciampa pushed Ford off the top. Still, Ford took care of Ciampa on the outside and then the Profits hit their finisher on Gargano, but Ciampa broke things up at the last tenth of a second. Ciampa went back to the outside and Dawkins tagged in and went to the top, but Ciampa slowed Dawkins down. Even so, Dawkins missed a Swanton and Ciampa hit a Fairytale Ending on Dawkins for a very good near-fall. Gargano tagged in and accidentally super-kicked Ciampa. Ford tagged in, hit a frog splash and got the win.
The show almost immediately went off the air as the Profits celebrated and fireworks shot off inside the arena.
