If final week’s “SmackDown” left followers a bit confused and empty from Drew McIntyre’s disqualification win over Cody Rhodes within the impromptu title match, this week turned consideration within the brief time period to Jimmy Uso and the Scottish Warrior, with Uso upset over what McIntyre allegedly did to Jacob Fatu final week. This led to a match with an anticipated consequence, as McIntyre beat Uso in his march towards Saturday Night time’s Essential Occasion and a gathering with Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. If Friday’s present didn’t essentially make followers at dwelling extra excited for McIntyre vs. Rhodes , the opening section did set the tone for the group to take pleasure in “SmackDown.”

I did discover it attention-grabbing that Rhodes informed the followers throughout his promo that it was uncharacteristic for him to make use of the title belt as a weapon towards another person, primarily saying “that isn’t my common conduct as a result of that’s what a villain would do” and inserting blame on the feelings of the second, quite than a shift in character.

MFT (Tama Tonga and JC Mateo) def. Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura
Tiffany Stratton def. Kiana James (non-title)
Ilja Dragunov def. Aleister Black to retain the USA Championship
Drew McIntyre def. Jimmy Uso

I’ve stated this earlier than and I’ll say it once more — Drew McIntyre could be a star in any decade of professional wrestling. Friday’s fundamental occasion between Uso and McIntyre was a strong and enjoyable TV fundamental occasion between two veterans, and I do hope McIntyre will get one other world title run ahead of later. Nevertheless it’s laborious to think about that taking place at Saturday Night time’s Essential Occasion on Nov. 1. Rhodes and McIntyre will little question have a terrific match, however don’t anticipate Rhodes to be dethroned.

Jade Cargill attacked Tiffany Stratton after Stratton defeated Kiana James, which is able to launch a brand new period for Cargill as a villain. I really feel like this might be when Cargill actually shines — as a supremely assured, “I’m higher than you in each manner” kind. A title run is totally in her close to future.

I completely love the thought of Ilja Dragunov persevering with the U.S. Championship open problem. The ustitle having this type of hook and serving to make stars (and typically advancing storylines) is a good car. Dragunov proved final week by beating Sami Zayn and once more on Friday towards Aleister Black that he might definitely carry a weekly load like this and make it one of the vital entertaining and must-see elements of the present, identical to Zayn did.

I’m having fun with the social media discourse each time Rey Fenix will get a brand new tag crew accomplice that isn’t his brother Penta. It’s terrific that they each crew up with everybody else on the roster earlier than lastly getting collectively. Ultimately they are going to crew up and it will likely be an excellent second — possibly at a giant occasion like Wrestlemania? No must rush issues right here.

The MFTs seemed sturdy and menacing, which is precisely what they wanted on this tag crew match towards Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura. The Wyatt Sicks await, and the MFTs wanted a match they might win convincingly. I see a collision course for Survivor Sequence: Warfare Video games as a robust risk — with possibly a shock identify or two added to the combo.