The latest episode of SmackDown kicked off in dramatic fashion as Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes traded verbal shots with Paul Heyman, questioning which version of Heyman he’d be dealing with now that he’s reunited with Brock Lesnar.
Before Rhodes could focus on that, chaos erupted. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed attacked him, prompting Randy Orton to rush out and even the odds. Elsewhere, Aleister Black laid out Damian Priest backstage with a brutal Black Mass, hinting at a future Last Man Standing Match. Meanwhile, Zaria and Sol Ruca challenged Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair but were told they hadn’t earned a shot — yet, ironically, another NXT talent got a title opportunity the same night.
While the show had its highlights, it was plagued by several booking decisions that left fans scratching their heads. Here are the four biggest mistakes WWE made on SmackDown after Wrestlepalooza 👇
❌ #4 – Poor Match Placement Ruined the Flow
SmackDown only featured four matches across its two-hour runtime. The lineup started with The Street Profits defeating Melo Don’t Miz to earn a rematch against The Wyatt Sicks, followed by Giulia & Kiana James vs. Michin & B-Fab.
Next came Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge, and the night closed with the Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match.
However, the placement of these matches felt disjointed. Two tag team matches were stacked back-to-back, followed by consecutive title bouts. On a night with such limited in-ring action, better pacing and variety were essential to keep the show engaging.
🥀 #3 – Drew McIntyre’s Character Was Mishandled
Once the man who defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 36, Drew McIntyre now finds himself portrayed as a cowardly heel — a far cry from the dominant force fans admired.
After losing to Cody Rhodes at Wrestlepalooza, McIntyre appeared in a walking boot, claiming he injured himself by kicking the announce table. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis scolded him for not getting medical clearance, and Jacob Fatu also mocked him before attacking and leaving him laid out.
For a star of McIntyre’s caliber — someone on par with Randy Orton and John Cena — this treatment felt like a step backward. Having him whine and get humiliated after a major loss does more harm than good.
🚫 #2 – NXT Star Answering the Open Challenge Was a Missed Opportunity
Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge was answered by Je’Von Evans, a rising star on NXT known for competing in major title matches. The match itself was excellent, showcasing Evans’ potential, but this decision came with drawbacks.
Evans is already set to face Josh Briggs at No Mercy, and after the match, Briggs blindsided him — another predictable angle for the young talent.
This was a chance to spotlight a SmackDown superstar instead. Names like Lexis King, Tony D’Angelo, Shawn Spears, Wes Lee, or even established roster members like Santos Escobar, Johnny Gargano, or Tommaso Ciampa could have benefited far more from the spotlight.
💥 #1 – Multiple Issues Hurt the Main Event
The highly anticipated Triple Threat Women’s Championship Match — featuring Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Nia Jax — was expected to deliver. And while moments like the double superplex on Jax impressed, several production issues overshadowed the bout.
-
Half of the match aired during commercial breaks or picture-in-picture, killing the momentum.
-
The finish was botched, with Jax either forgetting to kick out or the referee missing the count, causing confusion.
-
Cargill was also busted open late in the match.
In the end, Stratton recovered and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the victory — but the sloppy execution left fans disappointed and frustrated.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Despite a few bright moments, this episode of SmackDown struggled with poor match pacing, questionable character direction, and confusing booking choices. WWE will need to address these issues quickly to maintain momentum as the road to Crown Jewel continues.
