WWE SmackDown: A Wild Ride To John Cena’s Grand Finale
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Friday night’s SmackDown was supposed to be about one thing and one thing only: finding out who gets the honor of being John Cena’s dance partner for his last tango. But this is WWE, and if you think they’re just going to give you a straight line from A to B, you haven’t been paying attention. The night in Austin, Texas, was a chaotic, emotional rollercoaster that set the stage for a legendary send-off, and boy, did it deliver the goods.
The Main Event: A Battle Of Wills
The headline act was the final of the “Last Time is Now” tournament, pitting the Megastar LA Knight against the stoic, chop-dishing machine, Gunther. This wasn’t just a match; it was a clash of philosophies. You had LA Knight, the man who clawed his way to the top with nothing but sheer charisma and a mic that spits fire, versus Gunther, “The Ring General,” a guy who treats the squared circle like his personal cathedral of pain.
The crowd was electric, chanting “YEAH!” with every punch Knight threw. For a while there, it looked like he might just pull it off. He threw everything he had at Gunther, including his signature BFT finisher. The crowd went nuts, the ref’s hand was coming down for the three-count… and then Gunther, with the survival instincts of a cornered badger, got a foot on the rope. You could feel the air get sucked out of the Moody Center. It was the kind of heart-stopping moment on Smackdown that makes you love pro wrestling.
But Gunther is a monster for a reason. He endured the onslaught and, like a python, slowly squeezed the life out of Knight, locking him in a submission hold. Knight, to his credit, fought like a man possessed, but there’s only so much the human body can take. He tapped. The dream was over for LA Knight, but what a performance. He looked like a million bucks even in defeat.
Gunther moves on to face Cena, and honestly, the thought of those two clashing is enough to give any wrestling fan goosebumps. It’s the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object, with a side of vicious chest chops.
Rhodes vs. McIntyre: It’s Getting Personal
While the main event was about respect and competition, SmackDown kicked off with pure, unadulterated hatred. Cody Rhodes, still fuming from Drew McIntyre’s sneak attack on his tour bus, came out looking like he was ready to chew through steel. He ambushed McIntyre in the parking lot before the show even started! Rhodes was all fire and brimstone, demanding that GM Nick Aldis reinstate the suspended McIntyre so he could legally get his hands on him.
This isn’t a wrestling feud anymore; it’s a blood feud. Rhodes called McIntyre a “cockroach,” and the venom in his voice was real. This is the kind of raw emotion that elevates a storyline from good to legendary. You believe these two guys genuinely despise each other, and you can’t wait to see them tear each other apart. It was a perfect, explosive way to start SmackDown.
Smackdown Undercard Highlights and Lowlights
Not everything can be a main event, but Friday’s SmackDown show had some solid action throughout.
Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes: This was a technical masterpiece. Two of the absolute best performers in the game went at it for the U.S. Title. It was fast-paced, hard-hitting, and had you on the edge of your seat. The only sour note was the finish. Tommaso Ciampa, playing the role of the ultimate pest, interfered and cost Hayes the match. Dragunov retained, but he looked absolutely furious about how he won. You just know he’s going to unleash hell on Ciampa for that stunt.
The Women’s Division Gets Chaotic: Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane had a solid bout. It was a continuation of their heated rivalry. Bliss got the win with a surprise Sister Abigail, but the real story was the post-match mayhem. Lash Legend and Nia Jax stormed the ring, laying everyone out. It looks like the women’s tag team division just got a whole lot more crowded and a whole lot more dangerous.
On the flip side, Jade Cargill’s match against Alba Fyre was a bit of a head-scratcher. It was a squash match, plain and simple. Cargill is a champion, and she needs to be in there with credible challengers, not running through opponents in two minutes. It felt like a waste of both her talent and Fyre’s. Hopefully, they have bigger plans for her reign.
Overall, SmackDown was a slam dunk. It delivered a classic main event, advanced a deeply personal feud, and added layers to its other storylines. With Gunther now locked in as Cena’s final opponent, the stage is set for an epic encounter at Saturday Night’s Main Event. It’s the end of an era, and WWE is sending “The Champ” out with the bang he deserves.
