Disclaimer: This post contains SmackDown spoilers from WWE SmackDown tonight in Barcelona.
WWE’s European Tour is officially underway as the first leg began this afternoon at Olimpic Arena in Barcelona Spain. Please note, SmackDown aired live in Spain at 3PM ET, but will air on tape delay at its usual 8PM ET timeslot in the U.S. on USA Network. Below are SmackDown spoilers from WWE SmackDown tonight. Read at your own risk.
A pre-recorded promo from Drew McIntyre airs as he talks about what’s been happening in his life recently. McIntyre says he’s finally realized that while he was focused on everything in front of him and all of the hurdles he had to jump through, obstacles he had to overcome, he failed to notice until now, who really benefited as he was getting screwed over. It was Damian Priest. McIntyre notes how all of his shortcomings have been to the benefit of Priest, who eliminated him from the rumble before the two came face-to-face inside the Elimination Chamber. It’s all boiled over as McIntyre has seen the light. Their feud isn’t about a title as neither of them have one, but McIntyre notes his mission. Their feud is about McIntyre taking out Priest once and for all so he can never take anything from him again. Powerful stuff and a good way to add stakes and story to a potential WrestleMania feud many seemed on the fence about.
This is great. Turns out while the promo was airing, Flair and Stratton were still brawling around the arena. Fantastic. Miz is standing there waiting for MizTV watching the action explode to the back. Flair sends Stratton into the LED boards by the entrance ramp before Stratton climbs a second board for a swanton that once again takes out everybody. Stratton again gets the upperhand as these two are finally escorted away from the ring area.
See You Next Week, John!
Turns out Miz was a big fan of the brawl but he can’t spend too much time on that. He’s here on WWE SmackDown tonight to talk about Cody Rhodes. Miz tells the fans what he told Rhodes before the chamber, that he would have taken the offer. Because Rhodes didn’t, he got beaten down by, in Miz’ words, “two of the best rappers on the planet.” Love that. ThugLife Cena was the last time he was heel so great callback. Miz can’t help himself as he adds that unlike his upcoming guest, Miz actually has beaten Cena at WrestleMania…cue Rhodes, as the crowd sings his down the ramp for Kingdom and it’s electric. Miz cuts it off however, saying he’s not here for a sing-a-long, he’s here to ask the tough questions. Rhodes doesn’t have time for Miz either as he punches him, hits a CrossRhodes and takes the mic. Short and to the point, Rhodes says he only wants to talk to Cena and if the soulless celebrity has time, Rhodes will be there on Monday to have that talk…
McIntyre is on a Mission
Backstage, Aldis is chastising Shinsuke Nakamura for misting the referee in his title match last week. Aldis says he considered a suspension, but instead, he’s giving Nakamura a rematch. In walks Priest who is looking for McIntyre. Nakamura and Priest get into it and Aldis, already having a night with booking these impromptu bouts, announces Priest will take on Nakamura next. This match is okay but the bigger story happens after. As Priest looks for his finisher, McIntyre arrives standing on the announce desk. Distracted, Priest almost gets caught in a roll up. Priest counters the Kinshasa attempt but he can’t capitalize as McIntyre attacks leading to a DQ win for Priest. Priest and McIntyre brawl before Nakamura hits the Kinshasa on Priest and leaves. McIntyre remains, continuing to beat his most recent rival to the floor and into the barricade. McIntyre slams Priest face-first into the steel steps before hitting a Claymore and stomping Priest’s head. McIntyre finally leaves but not before announcing his intentions. He’s going to make Priest’s life a living hell. Again, nice way to give added stakes to this bout between these two. It seems it’s definitely heading to ‘Mania and now, after WWE SmackDown tonight, there’s a little more heat behind it.
#DIY is being interviewed about their tag title defense before the Motor City Machine Guns arrive on the scene. The Guns tell #DIY there is still unfinished business between them before leaving. Street Profits are up first but should #DIY retain, looks like the rematch with the Guns isn’t far behind. Also backstage, Kelley attempts to interview Chelsea Green…to no success before Zelina Vega walks up to announce she wants Green’s title. Piper Niven reminds Vega there’s an order to these things and she has to go through her first. Vega is game and it looks like these two will be set for a match in the near future.
The Viper’s Return
Welcome back, Randy Orton! In his first in-ring action in months, Orton looked solid taking on the athletic Carmelo Hayes. The two got a chance to showcase their abilities in a lengthy match where Orton could shake off any ring rust. He looked as in sync as ever though, hitting all the right beats and showing the crowd the fan-favorite ‘Vintage Orton’ moves. In the end, Orton won with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, R-K-O…outta nowhere! Orton showed respect after the match but Hayes wasn’t having it. That led to another RKO and then, the set-up. Legend killer instincts came into play as Orton pulled down the knee pad, ready for the punt. But no, Kevin Owens appeared to make the save for Hayes. This led to Orton and Owens exchanging punches before Owens sent Orton into the ring post and making his exit. We’ve seen Orton vs Owens before but this feels different. That said, if their match ends and Orton doesn’t get a chance to show why Pat McAfee is only the second greatest punter to step in a WWE ring, it’s gonna make all this lead-up for nothing. I have no doubt Owens – or someone else – is getting kicked in the head at WrestleMania 41.
Backstage, we see Sikoa ordering Fatu to take out Strowman. So Fatu confronts his opponent and the two are set for a rematch on Friday. Hmm, maybe Fatu vs Strowman isn’t where we’re headed for WrestleMania…Maybe it’s Sikoa vs Strowman as Fatu gets Knight. The options are all there.
The Best Wrestler in Europe
GUNTHER is headed to the ring. After break, GUNTHER cuts a promo saying the Road to WrestleMania officially begins today and as the best European wrestler of all-time, there was no way he was missing this show. Although, the Ring General does acknowledge he wishes the European Tour started somewhere other than Madrid. Heel gotta heel with the hometown slight. GUNTHER then turns his attention to Jey Uso. He says Uso is beloved by the fans but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s like how Spain’s best wrestler is beloved…GUNTHER calls out A-Kid (aka NXT’s Axiom) for a non-title match. Axiom came out and like Otis and Akira Tozawa, the challenger had moments where it looked like they could take down the champ. The main story of the match became GUNTHER becoming frustrated with not able to put away Axiom easily so midway through the match, he continually tried to unmask him instead. Ultimately, GUNTHER did what he always does though, and hulked up to take out his opponent. And yet again, the sleeper hold after the match as the refs pleaded with him to release. Really expected Uso to come out and try to make the save but seems like he wasn’t in the mood for another blindside by the champ.
The Twisting Tale of the Advocate
Paul Heyman arrived on WWE SmackDown tonight to remind the fans that today is the launch day for WWE2K25, aka Roman Reigns Day. Heyman said he also had words to share for Reigns’ possible ‘Mania opponents and if anyone had a problem with that or a problem with his tribal chief, they can come to Italy on Friday and say it to Reigns’ face. The will they/won’t they with Heyman continues to be one of the most fascinating parts of this angle as Heyman can talk himself out of a paper box. But that favor from Punk, it looms large the closer we get to WrestleMania…
Next Friday’s card is set. Reigns to appear, Cargill vs Morgan, Vega vs Niven, and Fatu vs Strowman in Italy.
New Champs
Street Profits are headed to the ring before being interrupted by Legado del Fantasma. Santos Escobar says he hopes they win tonight because he wants to be the one to take the titles away from them. Street Profits promise they will win and they’ll be seeing LDF real soon. We then see Pretty Deadly, the number one contenders, watching backstage. Sure enough, the Profits pull off the victory as the Road to WrestleMania title changes continue to happen en masse. It was a great match that ended when Angelo Dawkins evaded Meet in the Middle leading to Johnny Gargano accidentally kicking Tommaso Ciampa instead. Dawkins got the Sky High on Gargano before Montez Ford hit the Seven Star Splash to pin Ciampa, the legal man. I’d say this was a surprise outcome but the way titles have been changing on TV lately, I’d be more surprised if the Street Profits enter WrestleMania still the champs…
And that’s a wrap on WWE SmackDown tonight.
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