Friday’s Halloween edition of WWE SmackDown from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City served as the official go-home show for Saturday Night’s Main Event, and WWE used the night to sharply escalate every major storyline. The evening’s defining moments were a brutal contract-signing beatdown that left Cody Rhodes sprawled through a table, a high-octane United States Title Open Challenge that preserved Ilja Dragunov’s momentum, and a tense face-off that confirmed Jade Cargill’s direction as a clear heel threat to Tiffany Stratton. 

Contract Signing Implodes — McIntyre Crosses the Line

What was billed as a formal signing quickly became the night’s central statement. After trading barbs and adding a stipulation to their title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Drew McIntyre turned the segment physical — driving Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes through a wooden table in the ring. The spot was filmed and framed as a deliberate escalation designed to put Rhodes on the back foot psychologically as he defends his title. The visual of Rhodes amid the wreckage became SmackDown’s defining image heading into the weekend. 

Why it matters: This was classic escalation booking: a go-home show moment that raises the emotional and physical stakes. McIntyre’s action reframes their encounter as more than a championship match — it becomes a personal demolition test for Rhodes. If the pay-off at SNME doesn’t match the intensity seeded here, the build risks peaking early; if it does, the table spot will read as a crucial turning point in the feud. 

United States Title Open Challenge — Ilja Dragunov (c) def. Nathan Frazer

Ilja Dragunov’s U.S. Open Challenge delivered a compact, brutal contest. Against Nathan Frazer, Dragunov leaned on his trademark intensity and resiliency, absorbing Frazer’s high-risk offense before putting him away with a decisive finisher to retain. The match reinforced Dragunov’s status as a fighting, must-see champion and left Frazer with increased credibility despite coming up short. Tommaso Ciampa’s post-match involvement further seeded a plausible midcard storyline to watch. 

Analysis: The Open Challenge format continues to function well when paired with a rising opponent; it lets the champion look strong while elevating new names. Dragunov’s work here kept the title meaningful without squandering television time. 

Women’s Division — Stratton vs. Cargill Tension Boils Over

Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill participated in a tightly produced face-off, with General Manager Nick Aldis enforcing a “no contact” directive because their Women’s Championship match is scheduled for tonight. Cargill leaned into heel heat, mocking Stratton and promising to end “Tiffy Time,” while Stratton responded with controlled confidence and defiance. The segment avoided an overblown brawl and instead traded in psychological heat and character beats. 

Why it works: Restraint sold the tension; by withholding a physical confrontation on the go-home show, WWE kept anticipation high and made the title match itself feel like the inevitable collision. Jade’s mic work and body language positioned her as a vindictive challenger rather than a one-note powerhouse. 

Undercard Highlights & Continuity

• Carmelo Hayes def. Kit Wilson — Hayes scored a clean win and was then ambushed by The Miz, continuing that personal rivalry and keeping both men prominent on the card.  
• Alexa Bliss def. Nia Jax — Bliss used ring craft and speed to top Jax, reaffirming her relevance in the division.  
• Tag division and backstage beats — The Street Profits and Pretty Deadly exchanged heat that hints at tag title ramifications in the weeks to come.  

These matches functioned as short-form storytelling: keeping momentum for ongoing feuds, protecting the show’s pacing, and ensuring the focus remained on the card’s high-profile title narratives.

Creative Assessment — What SmackDown Got Right (and Risks)

What worked

• Clear escalation: The show did exactly what a go-home program should — raise stakes and increase urgency for the PPV night.  
• Efficient pacing: SmackDown balanced high-impact segments and tight matches so the main narratives received emphasis without the show feeling overcrowded.  

Risks

• Expectation load: The table spot and heightened intensity demand a satisfying, possibly visceral payoff on the SNME card. If the main event doesn’t deliver a distinct emotional beat beyond in-ring action, fans may feel the angle peaked on television rather than at the event.  

What This Means for Tonight’s Saturday Night’s Main Event

The go-home show transformed the card from “must-see” to “can’t-miss.” With Cody Rhodes entering the match reeling from a public humiliation and Drew McIntyre established as an unrestrained threat, the Undisputed WWE Championship bout has legitimate narrative jeopardy. Tiffany Stratton versus Jade Cargill now reads as a personal grudge with real character contrast rather than an obligatory title defense. The U.S. Title scene and Hayes–Miz thread add midcard volatility that could produce spoilers or shifting priorities across the weekend. 

Bottom Line

WWE SmackDown (Oct. 31, 2025) accomplished its primary goal as the go-home show: it escalated, clarified, and intensified. Drew McIntyre’s attack on Cody Rhodes provided a visceral hook; Ilja Dragunov’s Open Challenge kept the in-ring standards high; and Tiffany Stratton versus Jade Cargill was framed as a psychologically charged main event. Tonight’s Saturday Night’s Main Event will be judged partly on whether it can top what SmackDown laid out — and WWE ensured the stakes will be felt the moment the bell rings. 

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