SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
OCTOBER 10, 2025
PERTH, AUSTRALIA AT RAC ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Booker T
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with a video showing a “hand off” the (meaningless, barely ever mentioned) Crown Jewel Title belts from Saudi Arabia to Australia 7,065 miles.
(Keller’s Analysis: This had the vibe of a bad WWE Films-produced action-adventure or thriller movie. I mean, it’d be cool if this was done for a meaningful title belt the fans had a reason to care about and was part of the narrative year round.)
-They cut to the arena where Cole touted all the bedazzling of the Crown Jewel Title belts which was shown at ringside.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance wearing a blue suit with a red tie. He carried his WWE Title belt to the ring with him. He asked fans what they want to talk about. He talked about Seth Rollins has “a doom and gloom outlook on our match.” He said he used to want to poke fun at Seth’s take on their match, but after hearing Paul Heyman describe the actual stakes of their match, he thought maybe Seth was right. He said Seth is becoming the type of man he sacrificed himself to defeat. He said he might be Seth’s Achilles heel.
“Dismantling this whole vision has fallen on my shoulders,” he said. He said: “You guys sound like you love WWE.” Cheers and a “Cody! Cody!” chant and the “Cody… Cody Rhodes!” singing followed. He said when you start believe you are “the only person who can carry all of this, that’s the downfall.” He said it’s a quest for control and power and tips the scales from his original intention. He said Seth doesn’t like the quarterback moniker, but he loves to be a leader. He said if he can’t pull his weight, others can step up and do it. (Since when did this become “a team sport”?) He brought up Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, and C.M. Punk. A “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out.
He said he could also be talking about Seth. Fans booed. Cody paused. Fans chanted, “Seth is a wanker!” He leaned on the top rope and asked Michael Cole what the fans were saying. Cole said he doesn’t know. Cole asked Wade Barrett. Barrett said it was very rude. Barrett then said into the house mic what the chant was. Cole said it sounded better coming from Barrett.
Cody said, “Folks, I was trying to be serious here.” Fans chanted, “Thank you, Barrett!” He asked Seth “who am I to you” in the world he envisions. He declared that he is, in fact, the wrestler he cannot beat. Cole said that is “QB1” with a big statement. He then plugged the 8 a.m. ET start time on Saturday morning.
(Keller’s Analysis: After that big video production at the start, Cody didn’t mention the belt they’re fighting over. Instead, the focus was on Seth’s obsession with beating him, what Heyman said the stakes were, and what being the actual WWE Champion means. Cody looked like he was having fun out there with the fans in the midst of cutting that promo.)
-Backstage, Chelsea Green approached Stephanie Vaquer with a flier about joining the Secret Hervice. Tiffany Stratton walked up to Vaquer, so Green left. Vaquer said, “Tomorrow, may the best woman win.” Tiffany said she’s glad they are on the same page. Cole said they’ll be on the same page tonight.
-Sami Zayn made his entrance. [c]
-Cole plugged Fanastics Fest news.
-They showed Cody walking backstage. Jacob Fatu approached him and said when he’s finished with Seth, “you know what’s popping with me.” Cody said, “Good.” Nick Aldis walked up to Fatu and said he likes seeing him level up in real time. He asked to see him later in his office. Fatu said they’d keep it 100. Drew McIntyre then attacked Fatu.
(1) SAMI ZAYN vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA – U.S. Title Open Challenger match
The bell rang 26 minutes into the hour. Cole talked about this match-up back in 2016 at an NXT Takeover in Dallas, Tex, Nakamura made his debut. They cut to a break at 2:00 with Nakamura in control. [c]
They exchanged strikes mid-ring after the break with the crowd engaged in every swing. Nakamura scored a two count after a kick to the face at 7:00. Barrett said there were no signs of ring rust for Nakamura. Sami came back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Nakamura surprised Sami with a small package for a two count. Sami countered and got a two count. Sami followed with an exploder suplex into the corner. Nakamura ducked a Helluva Kick and then hit a Kinshasa for a near fall. They cut to another break at 10:00. [c]
They were fighting at ringside after the break. Sami threw Nakamura into the ring. When Sami entered, Nakamura caught him with a surprise Kinshasa for a near fall. Nakamura set up another Kinshasa, but a man in a black outfit and a mask attacked him. (An ICE thug?) Tama Tonga unmasked. Then Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, and J.C. Mateo stood on the ring apron. They all had black and white facepaint. “A classic match ruined, to what end?” asked Barrett. They beat up Sami and Nakamura four-on-one. “The MFTs are back; treacherous time is coming for Smackdown!” Cole exclaimed as they cut to a break. [c]
-A clip aired of scenes of Perth.
-Cole said the arena was “turned into a slaughterhouse” moments ago as clips aired of the MFTs attacking Sami and Nakamura.
-Aldis told a referee to tell Solo Sikoa he needed to see him. Then McIntyre showed up. Fans cheered. Aldis said he has decided that next week in San Jose, Calif., he’s booked Drew vs. Fatu. Drew said he’s good with that. Fatu then attacked Drew. Officials quickly broke up their fight. “Why wait ’til next week?!” said Cole. [c]
(2) TIFFANY STRATTON & STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. GIULIA & KIANA JAMES
The bell rang 55 minutes into the hour after everyone’s ring entrances aired. Barrett said he didn’t like that Stratton and Vaquer had to team. Vaquer did the Devil’s Kiss in the opening minute to counter a James attack. Cole cackled as he called it one of the most fascinating moves in WWE. Barrett said he received one complaint after his commentary on it the last time. Cole asked if it was just one complaint. Barrett said, “Yes, but a very important one.” They cut to a very early break as fans chanted, “One more time!” [c]
[HOUR TWO]
Tiffany tagged in at 6:00 to a crowd pop. She yelled it was “Tiffy Time” and then she hit a handspring back elbow into the corner for a near fall on James. Vaquer scored a near fall on James, broken up by Guilia. Tiffany entered to offset Giulia and tossed her to ringside. Vaquer then tagged in, but Tiffany blind-tagged herself in. Vaquer leaped onto Giulia at ringside. James rolled up Tiffany for a two count. She followed with a rolling senton and then her Prettiest Moonsault Ever on James for the clean three count.
WINNERS: Tiffany & Vaquer in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Basic match. Just some tense looks between Tiffany and Vaquer. Does Cole know something we don’t in terms of his pronunciation of Vaquer’s name? The ring announcer says it the way everyone but Cole says it.)
-Backstage. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss walked up to Sol Ruca and Zaria chatting backstage. Charlotte said they’re stepping into her spotlight. Bliss added, “Our spotlight.” Charlotte said, “That’s what I said.” Zaria said they aren’t going to sit around and wait for their turn, so prove they’re not ready. Charlotte called her “rude and borderline disrespectful.” She said it was also bold and “reminds me of me.” Ruca said they are just asking for an opportunity. Charlotte said, “Request granted.” Bliss said they shouldn’t expect them to hold back. Charlotte and Bliss walked separate directions after saying they need to be on the same page. Bliss said, “This way, Charlotte.” Charlotte turned around and said, “I knew that.”
-The Street Profits made their ring entrance. [c]
-After Cole plugged Perth as scenes aired of the city, Barrett gave him a hard time for sounding like “the minister of tourism.”
(3) THE WYATT SICKS (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis w/Erick Rowan, Nikki) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins w/B-Fab) – WWE Tag Team Championship match
The Wyatts entrance then took place. The lights went out and fans lit up their phone flashlights. Gacy and Lumis charged into the ring. The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour. They fought to ringside and WWE cut to a quick double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Dawkins interrupted an attempted double superplex in the corner and then Ford delivered a double blockbuster off the top rope which led to a two count. Nikki put Gacy’s leg on the bottom rope to stop the ref’s count. B-Fab went after Nikki. Rowan distracted B-Fab and then Nikki leaped off the ringside stairs at her. Dawkins landed a running flip dive onto Rowan at ringside. Meanwhile in the ring, Ford leaped off the top rope with a frog splash, but Lumis yanked Gacy out of his path. Then Gacy and Lumis hit The Plague for the win.
WINNERS: Gacy & Lumis in 7:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: Well, that was a letdown of a tag title match. There was barely anything to it.)
-Afterward, the MFTs showed up and entered the ring and faced off with the Wyatt Sicks. “This is awesome!” chanted fans. Cole said the MFTs were putting the Wyatt Sicks on notice. The MFTs left.
-Clips aired of Miz and Carmelo Hayes breaking up last week.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Miz backstage. She asked why he turned on Hayes. Miz said he had the audacity to tell him he was done with him after he mentored him. He touted his resume. She said he’s a spotlight-stealer. Miz said, “I am the spotlight!” He said you can either rise with him or fall beneath me. He looked into the camera and said, “Melo, you missed!” He then told Kelley she didn’t wish him a happy birthday. “Some journalist you are,” he said.
-A vignette aired hyping the main event. [c]
-Cole talked up more scenes of Perth. Barrett told Cole, “You need your own travel show.”
-A clip aired from earlier of Paul Heyman introducing Seth during the Kickoff Show. Seth stared at Heyman, then turned and walked away. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed reacted.
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside. Cole said Heyman was at a rare loss of words. They hyped the line-up of the PLE.
-Priest’s ring entrance took place. [c]
(4) DAMIEN PRIEST vs. ALEISTER BLACK – Last Man Standing match
The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. They brawled at ringside early in the match. Priest pulled out a kendo stick, but Black kicked him before he could use it. Priest blocked Black’s attempt to ram him into the ringside steps and then bashed him with the top of the steps. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Black avoided a South of Heaven onto the base of the ringside steps and then landed a meteora, crashing Priest onto the steps. The ref counted to seven before Priest stood. Black then rubbed Priest’s head into the stairs. Cole said he was trying to bust him open. Priest lifted and then dropped Black onto the edge of the steps. Priest charged at Black, but Black dropped down and pulled down the top rope. Black then gave Priest a sunset bomb into the ringside steps. Black then shoved Priest’s head into the steps several times. The ref began a count. Priest stood at seven. Priest then checked a charging Black onto the announce desk. They cut to a double-box break at 9:00. [c/db]
Black jabbed Priest in the ribs with a chair at ringside. “Now you see the evilness coming out of Aleister Black,” Cole said. Priest came back with a chokeslam of Black on the ring apron. He followed with a Razor’s Edge on the announce desk. Fans chanted, “One more time!” The ref reached a count of nine and then Black stood up but staggered immediately. Priest gave Black another Razor’s Edge on the desk. The ref reached nine again before Black sorta stood by leaning on the table. The ref counted it as standing. Priest then threw Black into the crowd where he threw Priest onto a platform. Priest gave Black a broken arrow onto a storage crate.
Zelina Vega showed up from the crowd and stepped between Priest and Black. She begged Priest to stop. She then turned to Black who said something to her. Priest lowered his straps and looked ready to pounce. Black threw a fireball at Priest’s face (right near fans!). He then gave Priest a Black Mass kick and sent him falling off the platform through a table. The ref counted to ten.
WINNER: Black in 18:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I was wondering what they were going to do for a finish there since it didn’t seem like they’d want to book a clean loss for either of them. Zelina joining Black and the use of a fireball was that “extra” they needed to have Priest lose. The match itself went as expected and was fine for a walk-n-brawl style fight.)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER: https://streamyard.com/87gt4imz5r
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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