WWE Halloween Edition of Friday Night SmackDown Live on the USA Network | October 31st, 2025 — The Episode Recap:
- robbyplaha
- Nov 3
- 5 min read
The October 31st Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Results:
The Opening Match: Ilja Dragunov (c) defeated Nathan Frazer in a WWE United States Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (19:05)
The 2nd Match: Carmelo Hayes defeated Kit Wilson in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (03:01)
The 3rd Match: Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair) defeated Nia Jax in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (09:46)
The Main Event Match: MFT (JC Mateo & Tama Tonga) (with Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:54)
My Thoughts on the October 31st Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:
My Thoughts: This episode of SmackDown was a real letdown. After several weeks of consistent, high-quality matches and strong talent, I expected the show to continue that trend—but unfortunately, it didn’t. Aside from the Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer match for the WWE United States Title, there was little else on the show that stood out as impressive or exciting. This highlights how Road Dogg has struggled to consistently book engaging episodes. There needs to be a change, as you can’t have a few strong weeks only to fall back into old habits. Looking ahead, next week’s card doesn’t offer much hope either; the only interesting bout is the Ilja Dragunov Open Challenge for the United States Title. Overall, this was a poor showing for SmackDown, and WWE needs to take action because the quality has declined since Road Dogg resumed control in February.
The October 31st Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match Ratings:
The Opening Match: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Nathan Frazer in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.75 — This was an amazing match, Nathan Frazer being the next person for the US Open Challenge was such a great idea. Then, we saw Tommaso Ciampa try to take that spot away, which was denied, but I see maybe he's going to be the next person to answer the Open Challenge Next Week. But this match was amazing. This is up there with the Sami Zayn Match for me. This was a fast-paced, hard-hitting, chaotic, and physical match. Nathan Frazer showed out on SmackDown. He's up there for one of the best young talents in WWE. As we saw in this match, he can wow the crowd, as the crowd was chanting "This is Awesome" Chants as the match was ongoing. Nathan Frazer hit the Phoenix Splash, which didn't work, and Ilja Dragunov retains as he's 3-0 since his return from injury and still is the WWE United States Champion. Tommaso Ciampa ambushed and attacked Nathan Frazer after the match, and when we went backstage, a brawl was ongoing, but a little note to add, seeing Tama Tonga eyeing the title was something, maybe he's a future person who answers the Open Challenge?
The 2nd Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — Kit Wilson, who has been featured on TV a lot as of late, had his first-ever SmackDown Singles Match, and he didn't look that bad. Carmelo Hayes, who's now a babyface, got a solid crowd reaction and had a good performance. I thought The Miz ambushing him during the match was going to help Kit Wilson get the win, but that wasn't the case, as Carmelo Hayes walked away with the win but ate a Skull-Crushing Finale as The Miz got the last laugh. Hoping this babyface run establishes Carmelo Hayes because his booking in 2025 has been very depressing, and we, fans of his, want better because he's a Main Event Level Talent.
The 3rd Match: Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair) vs. Nia Jax in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: **.50 — A very below-average match the Women's SmackDown Roster is very depressing at the moment as it has been a rotation of the same matches, and different varient of finishes but this match Alexa Bliss took on her long-time rival Nia Jax, and honestly this match was very boring and didn't hit for me I just wish instead we can get a Giulia Match and keep on building her up because she is someone I want to see on weekly televison wrestling noting she's the WWE Women's United States Champion. But I also think this is a preview to the Women's WarGames Match, as it has been rumored all ladies involved in this match will play a factor in that match, but this was boring, and please call up some NXT Talent to save this Women's SmackDown Division. Someone like Jordynne Grace, Sol Ruca, and Zaria can bring a spark to this division.
The Main Event Match: MFT (JC Mateo & Tama Tonga) (with Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga & Tonga Loa) vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: **.75 — The Motor City Machine Guns' loss doesn't sit right with me because WWE has been doing everything they can to make the MFT something major, when in reality they aren't a good stable. Just reform G.O.D. with Talla Tonga as an enforcer and have their amazing New-Japan Theme Song, JC Mateo should revert to Jeff Cobb and thrive on the Mid-Card Scene, and Solo Sikoa can revert to his Street Champ Gimmick and be a solid babyface like he was in NXT. This MFT Group isn't good. But this match was very decent, and MCMG lost as the MFT continues to stack wins. After the match, Rey Fenix tried to come and make a save as the MFT were beating down Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, but that didn't work. Shinsuke Nakamura tried to do the same to no prevail as he was shut down as well. The MFT Experiment hasn't worked, and I honestly pray it ends shortly.
The October 31st WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Match of the Night: Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Nathan Frazer in a WWE United States Title Match | The Match Rating: ****.75
The October 31st Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — The Episode Grade: 4.75/10 (D+) — This was a very much letdown of an episode of SmackDown, you know when you have constient weeks of good matches, and actual solid talent on the show you would hope the trend keeps going but in this case it didn't outaside of the Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer Match for the WWE United States Title there wasn't anything else on this show that was eye-popping or amazing. This goes to show that Road Dogg is incompetent to book a good show for a long time. The switch needs to happen because you can't go on a solid stretch and then revert to old habits. Then seeing next week's card for SmackDown made it even worse as the matches don't look interesting outside of the Ilja Dragunov Open Challenge Match for the WWE United States Title. Just a poor show all-around, and WWE needs to do something because SmackDown has been a mess since Road Dogg took the reins back in February of this year.
Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown November 6th Episode — The Announced Matches & Segments:
Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. ??? in a WWE United States Title Match.
Rey Fenix vs. Talla Tonga (with JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) in a Singles Match.
Charlotte Flair (with Alexa Bliss) vs. Nia Jax in a Singles Match.
Giulia (with Kiana James) (c) vs. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) in a WWE Women's United States Title Match.
Comments