WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights Oct. 3: Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton Face Chaos as The Vision Intervenes

Last night’s WWE SmackDown in Cincinnati, Ohio, delivered a mix of high-flying action, tense storylines, and a few predictable outcomes, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. While some moments thrilled, others felt like classic “glorified house show” material — a reminder that weekly shows still balance entertainment with ongoing narratives.

Main Event Madness

The main event was a tag-team match with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. There were many key moments in this match with Breakker crushing Rhodes through the barricade and then hitting him with a huge back body drop. Breakker's exceptional agility made him look like an absolute beast.

Randy Orton’s in-ring work remained stellar, though the match ended with a predictable distraction finish. Paul Heyman’s interference allowed Seth Rollins to stomp into Reed’s Tsunami, giving Orton the pin. The storyline involving Rollins and Rhodes is clearly being set up for Crown Jewel, making the finish unsurprising, yet it kept fans invested in the drama.

U.S. Title Chaos

The U.S. Title open challenge ran into its first hiccup Friday night. The Miz had to interfere before the scheduled match of Carmelo Hayes. Aleister Black entered, and this also carried interference from Damian Priest amidst their never-ending feud.

Though it was a great showing in Zayn vs. Black, the finish was predictable: Priest distracted Black, allowing Zayn to win with the Helluva Kick/Blue Thunder Bomb combo. The ending did not hold any novelty, but both the performers inflicted memorable strikes and counter moves that entertained the fans. Next week, the Last Man Standing match should end this storyline for good.

Friday Night Highlights

Sol Ruca & Zaria defeated The Secret Hervice, with Ruca finishing Chelsea Green using the Sol-Snatcher. A brief match but effective in showcasing Ruca.

Solo Sikoa continued his vignettes, building hype for MFT. WWE seems to be resetting the group for a fresh start after a rough patch.

Je’Von Evans made a notable appearance alongside Rey Fenix against Los Garza. Their tag match was full of high-flying maneuvers and exciting teamwork, hinting at Evans’ permanent main roster debut.

Mixed Bag Moments

Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer’s contract signing was far too brief and lacked any real tension. Giulia and Kiana James’ post-segment attack added some intrigue, but motivations felt muddled.

Commentary by Booker T and odd on-screen terminology, like The Miz admitting, “I took three finishers,” drew some groans from fans seeking more immersive storytelling.

Takeaway

Friday’s SmackDown offered a blend of athleticism, drama, and storyline progression. While predictability and filler moments lingered, standout performances from Rhodes, Orton, Breakker, and high-flyers like Fenix and Evans reminded fans why WWE remains must-watch entertainment.

Next week’s episodes promise to resolve lingering feuds, including Black vs. Priest, and continue building towards major events like Crown Jewel.