WWE Friday Night SmackDown on the USA Network | October 17th, 2025 — The Episode Recap:

Cody Rhodes as he brawls with Drew McIntyre on the outside as he is aiming to hit a Cross Rhodes onto the WWE Announcer Table. (Photo by WWE)

The October 17th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Match Results:

The Opening Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) defeated Sol Ruca & Zaria in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (12:07)

The 2nd Match: Ilja Dragunov defeated Sami Zayn (c) in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (19:21) — TITLE CHANGE!!!!

The 3rd Match: The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) in a Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (09:37)

The Main Event Match: Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes (c) in a WWE Title Match | via DQ — (04:51)

My Thoughts on the October 17th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: Well, this wasn't a bad episode by any means. This was a very chaotic episode of SmackDown. Cody Rhodes opened the show, then we saw a very fun WWE Women's Tag Team Title Match, and I need Sol Riuca and Zaria to get called up soon because they have added so much juice to this SmackDown roster if they get added full-time. Ilja Dragunov made his long-awaited return and dethroned Sami Zayn to become the new WWE United States Champion, which was a huge shock to me, but this was one of the best TV Matches of this year, amazing stuff by both men. Motor City Machine Guns celebrated their first anniversary of being in WWE by beating Los Garzas. Jacob Fatu was bloodied up before his Main Event Match and had teeth on the ground as Nick Aldis attended to him, and we saw Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre fight in the Main Event with a DQ Finish, as this feud is far from over. This was a very enjoyable episode, and I feel like the creative shuffle so far has been going well since it was announced.

The October 17th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria in a WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.25 — A very fun title defense, we got a great match as the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, took on Sol Ruca and Za. They were showing they belong on the main roster, and I really hope that soon they will be added full-time to the SmackDown roster, as they would boost that sluggish women's roster. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair have had one of the best WWE Women's Tag Title runs in recent memory, in my opinion. I think they have brought new life to this division, and it feels so important again. That's what was needed--having great veterans re-energize these titles, much like Sami Zayn with the WWE United States Title, and Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair with the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles. But this was a very fun match, and a great job by all four ladies involved.

The 2nd Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.75 — Amazing, just amazing, what a match. This right here was the best way to reintroduce Ilja Dragunov and have him win a WWE United States Title. I thought this was the best match out of Sami Zayn's US Title Open Challenge. Ilja Dragunov came back looking in amazing shape. He bulked up and got a neck tattoo, talk about a whole 180 change to your look. He had new in-ring gear as well. The match itself was amazing. This was just a classic. Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn were great dancing partners. Sami Zayn hit the Helluva Kick and the Blue Thunder Bomb, then BOOM, a kick-out by Ilja Dragunov, so I knew at that moment he was about to win the WWE United States Title. Solo Sikoa came out and was at the top of the entrance ramp, but before anything, Sami Zayn countered Ilja Dragunov, but Ilja Dragunov blasted him, he got the win and his first WWE Main Roster Singles Title as he's the new WWE United States Champion. After the match, the MFTs attacked, and Rey Fenix came out to try to help, but it didn't work out as the MFTs had the upper hand then. We saw the Wyatt Sicks appear. Amazing match, this Sami Zayn Reigns rejuvenated the WWE United States Title. I hope Ilja Dragunov continues this, as he should continue the Open Challenges. I'm so excited to see how this Ilja Dragunov reign is going to go. I expect the Solo Sikoa match, but after that, please give us Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes IV at Survivor Series for the WWE United States Title.

The 3rd Match: The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) in a Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: ***.50 — Finally, we got the Motor City Machine Guns back on TV as we reach the first anniversary of their debut on WWE TV last year. Los Garzas get another match this week, a very underrated tag team getting another match on SmackDown. This match was pretty fun. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin look reenergized, as it has been fifty-plus days since we saw them have a match. Los Garzas try their best to get the best of the Motor City Machine Guns, but they couldn't as the Motor City Machine Guns got the win, and I'm happy to see them back. They needed this, and I think it was time for them to get back in the win column. And for Los Garzas, I hope they stay on TV. They are a great piece for SmackDown, and they always have fun tag matches.

The Main Event Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre in a WWE Title Match | The Match Rating: N/A — Cody Rhodes took Jacob Fatu place after being fouind bloodied up with teeth on the ground and the brawl between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre started in the crowd without the bell ring u ntil it did and we didn't get a conclusion as Cody Rhodes striked Drew McIntyre in the head with the WWE Championship. This was done to set up a match at WWE Saturday Night Main Event or at WWE Survivor Series.

The October 17th WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Ilja Dragunov in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.75 — Amazing match! This was the perfect way to reintroduce Ilja Dragunov and crown him WWE United States Champion. Out of Sami Zayn’s US Title Open Challenges, this was the best. Dragunov returned in peak shape with new gear and a neck tattoo. Both he and Zayn delivered a classic, with memorable spots like Sami’s Helluva Kick and Dragunov’s kick-out. Solo Sikoa appeared, but Dragunov still secured his first WWE main roster singles title. Afterward, the MFTs attacked, Rey Fenix tried to help, and the Wyatt Sicks appeared. Zayn’s reign revitalized the US Title, and I’m excited for Dragunov as champion—hopefully continuing the Open Challenges and facing Carmelo Hayes at Survivor Series.

The October 17th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 7.75/10 (B) — This episode of SmackDown was enjoyable and chaotic, with Cody Rhodes opening the show and a fun WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match. Sol Ruca and Zaria deserve a main roster call-up for their energy. Ilja Dragunov made a shocking return, defeating Sami Zayn to become the new U.S. Champion in one of the year’s best TV matches. Motor City Machine Guns marked their WWE anniversary with a win, and Jacob Fatu was bloodied before his main event. The show closed with Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre ending in a DQ, keeping their feud alive. The creative shuffle seems to be working well so far.

Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown October 24th Episode — The Announced Matches & Segments:

1. Kiana James vs. Tiffany Stratton in a Singles Match.

2. Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) in a Tag Team Match.