Tonight’s WWE SmackDown: 6 Hits & 3 Misses (July 25)

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Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown began with a solemn tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, as members of the locker room and notable WWE figures paid their respects through a 10-bell salute and video montage. The evening also featured highlights of some of Hogan’s most memorable moments in WWE. However, SmackDown didn’t neglect its ongoing storylines and feuds as it gears up for SummerSlam next week. Here’s our analysis of the night’s main events.

Hit: Jelly Roll Just Gets It

To be honest, I wasn’t all that excited about teaming up with Jelly Roll and Randy Orton against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, and that’s typically how I feel about celebrity wrestling feuds. However, there’s no denying that this collaboration is a success right now, making waves as it does. Despite not being my top pick for the SummerSlam card, I must acknowledge its popularity and impact.

Essentially, Jelly Roll is just incredibly engaging. It’s difficult not to cheer for him, whether it’s due to his charm or his obvious passion for WWE and professional wrestling. It feels as if he’s living his dream, a sight we’ve seen many times before, but with Jelly Roll, his love for it is evident, making the experience contagious. As for the match featuring Orton and McIntyre, you can expect a thrilling, high-impact spectacle. This encounter has all the makings of a memorable moment at one of WWE’s annual flagship events.

Hit: Frenemies to Friends

Over the last few weeks, one of the greatest pleasures has been witnessing the tag team alliance between Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Tonight, this friendship-turned-partnership took another significant leap. The pairing between Bliss and Flair has been amazing, and tonight was no exception as they made their way to the ring. However, their partnership reached a new level by the end of the match.

In addition to pushing Bliss up against the barricade and tossing Raquel Rodriguez over it following an attack on Bliss and interference in the match, Flair demonstrated genuine care when Bliss sustained a broken nose during the contest. This injury occurred as Bliss spun mid-air and leaped from the top rope to aid Flair outside the ring, just as Rodriguez prepared to deliver a power bomb. Although this move ultimately resulted in Bliss losing the match, it subsequently led to a backstage interaction between the two superstars, during which Flair nearly referred to them as friends but chose to call them partners instead. This plot twist has been quite unexpected, and let’s hope they emerge from SummerSlam with some championship titles.

Miss: Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice Can’t Catch a Break

This past week has been challenging for Chelsea Green and The Secret Service, as on Monday, Green, Alba Fyre, and Piper Niven were defeated by Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Stephanie Vaquer. Unfortunately, tonight’s SmackDown failed to provide any positive momentum for the team, and instead of avenging their loss, they were overwhelmed by two of SmackDown’s most powerful wrestlers.

After Cargill discovered Green discussing something backstage, things quickly turned sour. Cargill aggressively pursued Green through the backstage, grabbing her and carrying her towards the entrance ramp. He forcefully tossed Green off the ramp and continued the altercation in the ring. However, Green received assistance from Niven and Fyre, who attempted to intervene. Despite their efforts, they were all eventually overpowered by Tiffany Stratton, who was supporting Cargill’s SummerSlam opponent. Although Green, Niven, and Fyre continue to excel as villains, they need victories or impactful moments to establish themselves as genuine threats.

Miss: Cody Wants the Real Cena

As the darkness fell, I, a fervent fan, found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating Cody Rhodes’ speech about his upcoming clash with John Cena – a rematch echoing their battle at WrestleMania 41. Few can captivate like Rhodes does when he steps up to the mic, yet this promo seemed more akin to one he would have delivered weeks or even months ago. It felt as though he was revisiting some familiar themes about Cena’s character.

Cody Rhodes challenged John Cena to bring his authentic self to their SummerSlam bout, referencing conversations with Stu on the road to the ring and proper title-wearing etiquette. He also touched upon Cena’s renowned loyalty, hard work, and respect, but failed to introduce any fresh elements into their ongoing rivalry. Regrettably, this exchange appeared to be a setback in terms of the passion and intensity Rhodes has shown towards Cena in recent times. Let’s hope that next week, Cena and Rhodes engage in a final skirmish to generate excitement for what should be an excellent match during the upcoming weekend.

Hit: The Miz Is Back!

.@mikethemiz is taking it to Jacob Fatu

— WWE (@WWE) July 26, 2025

Tonight’s SmackDown showcased two exciting comebacks, with the initial one belonging to The Miz himself. Unlike other returns where he faces an opponent, The Miz kickstarted his night by crossing paths with one of WWE’s rising talents, Jacob Fatu. In a fiery exchange, The Miz delivered a scathing promo towards Fatu, culminating in a hard slap. This interaction led to a match, but the excitement didn’t stop there for The Miz. He put on an exceptional performance against the Samoan Werewolf, even managing to counter one of his attacks and almost securing a pin. If you aim to make a strong impact upon your return to WWE, this is certainly an impressive way to do it!

Hit: Clipboard Karen

A delightful unexpected event was the comeback on WWE TV of Kiana James, which could have been a captivating tale in itself since she had been sidelined due to injury for nearly a year. However, what made her return even more enjoyable was an extra twist: James presented Zelina Vega as the new representative for Giulia, causing Vega to crack a witty joke, labeling James as “Clipboard Karen.” It seems as if James never left, and teaming her up with Giulia is an ideal way to reintegrate her, and having James around will only enhance the performances of both Giulia and Vega.

Hit: SmackDown’s Insane Tag Team Division

On Monday Night Raw, the Tag Team division is impressive, but it doesn’t quite match the weekly excitement and turmoil found in SmackDown’s Tag Team ranks. Tonight, a fresh duo, Andrade and Rey Fenix, showcased an exceptional vignette, and given their synergy, it’s no wonder they are clicking. Such captivating previews can only boost their potential success.

Later, you’ll find them grouped with Wyatt Sicks, DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, The Street Profits, and FraXiom – quite a lineup! Talent-wise, it’s already off the charts, but wait until you see how they interact. And to top it all off, a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at SummerSlam for the titles? Things just keep getting better! Life sure is sweet, folks, life sure is sweet!

Hit and Miss: TV Time Please!

.@SamiZayn will battle it out against @realKILLERkross at #SummerSlam!

@MetLifeStadium

— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) July 26, 2025

Without much fanfare and primarily through social media promotion, it might not be immediately apparent that a new match has been formally announced for SummerSlam – the highly-anticipated event. The exciting news is that Karrion Kross, who’s been performing exceptionally well lately, will square off against Sami Zayn at SummerSlam. This encounter promises to showcase both stars impressively, but particularly Kross.

The Main Issue Here is That It Seems to Get Lost Among All the Other Events Happening Tonight’s Show, and It Would Have Been Beneficial to Spend Significant Time Not Only Announcing the Match but Also Preparing for It. Kross Has Managed to Gain Popularity More Than Anything Else, and Although WWE Has Capitalized on This to Some Extent, Incidents Like This Feel Like Unused Chances to Enhance That Momentum Further.

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2025-07-26 07:10