WWE SmackDown Recap: Drew McIntyre Plays London Like a Fiddle While New Contenders Rise

Let’s be honest, there is nothing—and I mean nothing—quite like a WWE Smackdown crowd across the pond. They chant louder, they boo harder, and they provide a soundtrack that makes even a standard Friday night feel like a WrestleMania main event. But this week in London? It wasn’t just the noise; it was the sheer emotional whiplash provided by our newly crowned WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.

If you thought McIntyre was going to ride the wave of hometown adulation after his stunning win over Cody Rhodes last week, you clearly haven’t been paying attention to the Scottish Psychopath’s playbook.

Drew McIntyre’s Masterclass In Villainy

The show opened with all the pageantry you’d expect. Bagpipes screaming, pyrotechnics lighting up the O2 Arena, and a hero’s welcome that would make a grown man cry. And for a second, it looked like Drew was buying into it. He soaked it in. He smiled. He let them sing.

Then, he ripped the carpet right out from under them.

In a move that proves he is doing the best character work of his career, McIntyre turned on the very fans cheering his name. He asked the uncomfortable question: “Where were you when I was fired? Where were you when the Bloodline screwed me?” It was gaslighting at its finest, and the London crowd ate it up, switching from adoration to vitriol in record time.

But the real headlines came from the fine print. McIntyre revealed that his “Three Stages of Hell” contract included a little clause General Manager Nick Aldis slipped in: No rematch for Cody Rhodes. That’s right. The American Nightmare is officially at the back of the line. It’s a bold booking decision that forces Rhodes to scrap his way back up, rather than being handed a golden ticket.

The Viper Strikes And Fatu Rampages On Smackdown

Of course, a promo segment in 2026 isn’t complete without an interruption. Randy Orton, looking as dangerous as he did twenty years ago, stepped up to challenge the champ. But before things could get settled, Jacob Fatu—the man who might be the scariest athlete on the roster right now—decided to crash the party on Smackdown.

Fatu went straight for McIntyre, sending the champ scurrying over the barricade like a fan avoiding a security guard. This left a vacuum for The Miz to try and blindside Orton, which went about as well as you’d expect. One RKO later, and Randy Orton punched his ticket to the Fatal 4-Way qualifier. It was quick, it was decisive, and it reminded everyone why Orton is the ultimate predator.

Cody Rhodes Enters The Rumble

With the rematch clause null and void, Cody Rhodes didn’t come out to whine. He came out to work. The crowd reaction was a mixed bag—a fascinating shift from the unconditional love he’s enjoyed for years—but Rhodes leaned into it. He declared for the Royal Rumble, eyeing a historic third win.

But his eyes aren’t just on the WrestleMania sign. He made it crystal clear that Jacob Fatu has a receipt coming. Later in the night, Fatu decimated Kit Wilson (who delivered a surprisingly solid promo regarding toxic masculinity before getting his head kicked off), and Rhodes rushed the ring. The pull-apart brawl that ensued was electric. We are getting Rhodes vs. Fatu at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and frankly, they might tear the building down.

The Future Is Now: Trick Williams And Leon Slater

If you were worried about the future of the business, watching Trick Williams and Leon Slater this week on Smackdown should put those fears to rest.

Trick Williams was put in a tough spot against veteran Matt Cardona. Cardona has been doing incredible work since his return, and seeing him eat a pin here felt a little premature, dare I say a “death rattle” for his current momentum. But the story here is Trick. He has that intangible “it” factor that you can’t teach at the Performance Center. He picked up a massive win, proving WWE is strapping the rocket to his back.

Meanwhile, the United States Championship Open Challenge gave us the hidden gem of the night. Carmelo Hayes vs. TNA’s Leon Slater. This wasn’t a match; it was a highlight reel. Slater, at only 21 years old, moved with a fluidity that defies physics. Hayes retained, as expected, but Slater made a name for himself in defeat. It was a beautiful showcase of cross-promotion done right on Smackdown.

Main Event Mayhem: Zayn vs. Dragunov

We ended the night with violence. Pure, unadulterated violence. Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov is a match you watch through your fingers. Dragunov brings an intensity that makes every chop and suplex feel like a car crash. He was busted open early, blood pouring down his face, adding a gritty realism to the bout.

Zayn, ever the underdog with the heart of a lion, managed to survive the onslaught. He ducked the H-Bomb, weathered the storm, and connected with a Helluva Kick to secure his spot in the Fatal 4-Way. It was a fantastic match that solidified Dragunov as a main-event player and kept Zayn’s title hopes alive for the Rumble in Riyadh.

But the show didn’t end with a celebration. Trick Williams—sensing his moment—laid out Zayn to close the show standing tall. It’s a bold move, positioning the young gun over the veteran, but in this new era of SmackDown, fortune favors the bold.

The Verdict: Between Drew’s heel mastery, the youth movement shining bright, and a Smackdown main event that hit hard, this European tour is off to a flying start.