The latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown was filled with excitement, surprises, and intense rivalries. From the return of Randy Orton to the ongoing drama between Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, and Damage CTRL, the blue brand delivered another action-packed show.
One of the biggest highlights of the night was the appearance of Paul Heyman, who made it clear that he would do anything to bring Randy Orton to SmackDown exclusively. This sparked a bidding war between General Manager Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce, with both offering enticing incentives to sign Orton. Ultimately, Orton signed the contract to work on SmackDown, setting the stage for a potential showdown with Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble.
But it wasn’t just about Orton. LA Knight also had a standout moment in the main event scene. He made a heroic save when Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso attacked Orton, earning a monster pop from the crowd. While Knight continues to be beloved by fans, it remains to be seen how WWE will elevate him without giving him major wins in top programs.
Logan Paul made another appearance, showcasing his growing success and popularity. After teasing the crowd with his U.S. championship, Paul announced a tournament to determine his next title challenger. The tournament will feature top wrestlers like Santos Escobar, Dragon Lee, Bobby Lashley, Karrion Kross, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, Kevin Owens, and a wrestler from NXT. Owens, who made his entrance during the segment, expressed his disdain for Paul and vowed to end his reign as champion.
Speaking of Bianca Belair, she opened the show by expressing her desire for another shot at Iyo Sky and the women’s championship. Dakota Kai, representing Damage CTRL, challenged Belair to go through the entirety of her faction to earn another title opportunity. Charlotte Flair also made it clear that she wants the title, setting the stage for future clashes between the top babyface women on the blue brand.
Interestingly, Bayley was not seen with Damage CTRL during the segment. She later revealed that she wasn’t informed about their plans, leading to speculation about a potential babyface turn for the former champion. During Belair’s match against Kairi Sane, Bayley defied Iyo Sky’s orders to stay backstage and attempted to help Sane win. However, Belair ultimately emerged victorious, further fueling the tension between Bayley and Damage CTRL.
The show also featured matches between BUTCH and Bobby Lashley, where Lashley emerged victorious, and Santos Escobar and Joaquin Wilde, with Escobar showcasing his dominance over his former stablemate. The blue brand continues to deliver solid performances and captivating storylines.
For more details and a full recap of the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, you can read the article here.