BackLash 2025 - SmackDown Fallout...

 How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

Happy Friday! Well, there are a few things we can chat about this evening. Nothing spectacular or crazy but enough to get some conversation going. Give us some things to talk about. You ready to get into it? Let’s do it. 

We’ll start in the Realm of AEW since they had their dual part Beach Break this week. I, as stated, checked out the Steel Cage Match between Jon Moxley and Samoa Joe to see how this served the Future and to me, it looked like another “foul ball” into the stands. CM Punk and Drew McIntyre have nothing to worry about as there was no real comparison other than it being a Steel Cage Match but Moxley’s enemies and detractors get more “evidence” in regards to how he’s a threat to himself and others. It’s a stretch, I’ll admit, because blood was spilt but in the action not so much blading I would say. Nevertheless, I’m thinking those against him will take anything that supports their case and he was out there bleeding again. 

It wasn’t a bad display, though. Mox seemed to do most of the work of it but ramped up to about a 5, I will give him that and he seemed to have fun with it so, no real complaints. Joe was all business out there and meant to do Mox in, in good time but we all knew this game was rigged and in the end, Mox enlisted a Gabe Kidd from NJPW to screw Joe over. That prompted the cavalry to storm the cage with Swerve Strickland coming down from the top and it looks like they’re now set for “Anarchy in the Arena” at Double or Nothing. I’m not upset at it. The Future remains bright and the job of advancing the action over all was executed. They earned their paychecks fair and square. As they were.

Also in AEW, Kenny Omega is contemplative. In a recent interview, Omega has some concerns about how wrestling is advancing in the modern age. He fears that one day we’ll see a Logan Paul vs. Mr. Beast main event WrestleMania. It’s like anyone with enough followers can get out there and headline. Well, yes and no. Paul, whether anyone likes it or not, has the athletic ability to hang. Not sure Mr. Beast does but if a similar influencer or podcaster like, Joe Rogan for instance, got into shape and was able to physically hang, then I think it would be fair game to at least get a mid card spot on a big WWE show. 

Many commenters noted how this is not a new thing for WWE. As I’ve also said numerous times, WWE functions very much like a popularity contest. If it gets people buying tickets and watching, they’re game. Some also suggested that there may be some mild resentment, maybe even jealousy emanating from Omega as though he has the skilled chops, it’s hard to say he has the following to get the same attention. 

If I’m Omega, I wouldn’t let it get to me. What he has is longevity and if you know wrestling, you know Kenny Omega. I’m not that big of a wrestling fan but I’ve seen enough of Omega to give him his props. He will never be in the same league as the likes of a Logan Paul and already has a longer career than Paul probably will have. If Omega is smart here, he’ll be the wise veteran and let the babies have their bottles. He has nothing to prove. Let those who know what good work looks like stick to the purists.

On the borders of AEW and WWE, we all have to take a moment to wish Jim Ross well. Amidst various other health problems he has to contend with, he suffered another blow having been diagnosed with colon cancer. With many younger people coming down with it, I suppose the upside is at least he’s of age. Nevertheless, we will pray for remission and recovery. We want him to stay with us for as long as possible.

In the WWE Universe, the news that grabbed my attention was talk of CM Punk possibly reversing his stance on performing in Saudi Arabia. It’s hard to say if that’s happening because word is that ads that featured him for the Night of Champions PPV got updated with Seth Rollins. Yet, Punk may be softening. I don’t mind if Punk stands by his politics. It’s a dicey time in the West right now and there’s no harm in doing what you can to stick to your principles. I can’t say I can comfortably turn a blind eye to Saudi machinations but I do feel that the fans shouldn’t be penalized for the sins of its government. I think it’s safe to say they have little say. We’ll see if a happy medium can be reached. 

And so, that brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. We put BackLash to bed and focus on Money in the Bank for now and so we’ll have some qualifying matches. We’ll see if Mia Yim or Chelsea Green stand a chance against the favoritism towards Alexa Bliss. I can only imagine Rey Fenix will do his best to get Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso to do the work for him and take each other out. Carmelo Hayes will try to even the score against the sly Aleister Malakai Black and Nia Jax will pick up where she left off with Tiffany Stratton as she attempts to reclaim the Women’s WWE Title. 

The unofficial watch party will start at 8pm PDT. Stop by if you don’t know what else to do with yourself. It’s a way to pass the time. I use it to relax. You know, to release the pent up energies. It’s whatever keeps you sane, I tend to say.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)