SmackDown Recap: Oba Femi Stuns Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans Defies Gravity Before Saturday Night’s Main Event

Let’s be honest, folks. Usually, the “go-home” show before a major event feels like a college student cramming for finals at 3 AM—frantic, messy, and mostly just trying to survive until the morning. But this week’s SmackDown in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, felt different. With John Cena’s final match looming like a dark cloud over Saturday Night’s Main Event, the blue brand had some serious heavy lifting to do. And mostly? They didn’t just lift the weight; they threw it through the ceiling.

We didn’t get Cena on Friday night, but we got a glimpse of the future that was so bright I genuinely hope you were wearing shades at home. From NXT call-ups looking like 10-year vets to the United States Champion putting on a clinic in violence, here’s the breakdown of what went down on SmackDown.

Oba Femi Steals the Show From Cody Rhodes

You know that feeling when a rookie quarterback steps onto the field and stares down the Super Bowl MVP like he’s just another guy? That was the vibe when NXT Champion Oba Femi interrupted Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes was out there doing his thing—talking about Drew McIntyre, working the crowd, looking every bit the polished “American Nightmare.” Then Femi’s music hit, and the energy on SmackDown shifted. Usually, when a developmental talent steps to the main roster’s top dog, they shrink. They rush their lines. They look happy to be there. Femi looked like he owned the building.

The swagger on this guy is undeniable. He cut a promo that didn’t just challenge Cody; it undressed him verbally. It gave me flashbacks to Cena’s “Ruthless Aggression” debut against Kurt Angle, only Femi has the physical presence of a brick wall. By the time they were face-to-face, you almost forgot about McIntyre. If this is the appetizer for Saturday Night’s Main Event, I’m terrified (in a good way) for the main course.

Je’Von Evans Defies Physics Against The Miz On SmackDown

Speaking of the future, can we talk about Je’Von Evans’ future on SmackDown? At this point, I’m convinced gravity just made a gentleman’s agreement with him to look the other way.

He was in the ring with The Miz, and let’s give Mike Mizanin his flowers—he is the perfect canvas for a guy like Evans to paint a masterpiece on. Miz is the safe, reliable veteran who made Evans’ explosiveness pop even more. We aren’t talking about a classic technical wrestling match here. We are talking about a highlight reel.

The Young OG hit a pair of splashes that looked like he was launched from a trampoline, and the finish? Countering the Skull-Crushing Finale into an OG Cutter was poetry in motion. It’s rare to see a 21-year-old sell and fly with that kind of rhythm. If you blinked, you missed something impossible.

Ilja Dragunov and Ciampa Deliver a Brutal Classic

Water is wet, the sky is blue, and Ilja Dragunov had a stiff match that made my own bones hurt just watching it. The United States Championship match against Tommaso Ciampa was exactly the kind of gritty, physical warfare we crave.

Ciampa was surgical, targeting Dragunov’s knee with a cruelty that reminded everyone why he’s one of the best heels in the business. But the “Mad Dragon” moniker isn’t just marketing. Dragunov’s selling is next level—he makes you believe he’s fighting through agony.

The ending was chaotic in the best way. You had Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae trying to intervene (classic DIY messiness), but it backfired, allowing Dragunov to snag the win. And let’s not overlook Carmelo Hayes making the save post-match. A Hayes vs. Dragunov program? Hook it to my veins immediately.

The Terror Twins Feel Stuck In Second Gear

Now, for the part of the night that felt a little… off. Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest reunited as the Terror Twins to take on Aleister Black and Zelina Vega. On paper, it sounds fine. In execution? It felt like using a Ferrari to go on a milk run.

Rhea Ripley is a main event superstar. She is box office. Seeing her tangled up in a mid-card feud with Black and Vega feels like a holding pattern. Yes, the SmackDown match was decent. Ripley tossing Vega around like a ragdoll is always visually impressive, and the Riptide finish was decisive. But with teases of Jade Cargill and the Women’s Tag Titles floating around, this mixed tag match felt like filler content for a star who should be headlining.

Quick Hits From Wilkes-Barre SmackDown

• Lash Legend is Legit: A massive upset over Alexa Bliss? Lash Legend isn’t just tall; she’s arriving. The Boujee Bully planted Bliss and picked up the biggest win of her career. Pairing her with Nia Jax is a stroke of genius—that is a terrifying amount of power on one side of the ring.
• Jade Cargill Needs a Rival: The Women’s Champion beat down Michin with a kendo stick. It looked cool, sure. But we are bordering on “monster of the week” territory. Cargill looks the part, but she needs a storyline with some meat on the bone, stat.
• Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs: We got some promo exchanges and a match set for next week. Solo Sikoa has improved on the mic, but the Wyatt stuff still feels like it’s living in its own weird universe separate from the rest of the show.

The Verdict

Overall, this was a solid B+ SmackDown that did its job: it made us care about “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” We didn’t get Cena, but we got a showcase of the talent that will carry the company after he hangs up the jorts. If Femi vs. Rhodes is half as good as the promo segment, we are in for a classic.

See you Saturday, folks. Don’t forget your tissues for the Cena farewell.