WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: John Cena, Cody Rhodes book street fight for SummerSlam
Rhodes forced Cena to commit to their SummerSlam rematch
Cody Rhodes plans to beat John Cena from one corner of MetLife Stadium to the next. On Friday's WWE SmackDown, Rhodes forced Cena to sign up for a street fight at SummerSlam.
Undisputed WWE champion Cena did everything he could to weasle out of their rematch. Unfortunately, Rhodes refused to let Cena off the hook. After forcing Cena to sign their contract, Cena vs. Rhodes 2 is set for the weekend of Aug. 2.
SmackDown also featured movement in the WWE tag team division. Andrade and Rey Fenix, who recently started teaming together, earned a shot at The Wyatt Sicks' WWE tag team titles by knocking off three other teams.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Rhodes forces Cena into street fight
Rhodes won the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions, guaranteeing an undisputed WWE title shot at SummerSlam. Cena tried to circumvent his duty as champion by blaming a Netflix movie he's working on and his emotional exhaustion. Cena promised he'd honor Rhodes' title shot, but not at the next pay-per-view. Rhodes would not concede, chasing down and brawling with his WrestleMania rival. Rhodes cracked Cena with the undisputed WWE title before driving him through a table with a top rope splash. Rhodes placed a pen in Cena's limp hand, physically forcing Cena's hand to sign the contract. Afterwards, Rhodes revealed the contract stipulated that their match would be a street fight.
I'm no lawyer, but I feel like contracts are voided if the signee is unconscious. Also, how did Rhodes learn to forge Cena's signature? These are moot points. Poking logic in professional wrestling is an endless battle. Rhodes' renewed viciousness and Cena's cowardice contrast nicely. Their WrestleMania match was poorly received, but a street fight allows them to distract with big spots and hide Cena's physical limitations. A solid step forward in building to their rematch. Grade: B+
What else happened on WWE SmackDown?
- Charlotte Flair def. Raquel Rodriguez via pinfall with a victory roll. During the match, Roxanne Perez interfered, but Alexa Bliss evened the odds for Flair.
- Damian Priest def. Carmelo Hayes via disqualification after Aleister Black hit Priest with Black Mass.
- Solo Sikoa was arrested for attempting to frame Jacob Fatu for a car accident. Throughout the night, Fatu was interrogated by police, Fatu and Jey Uso brawled with Sikoa's MFTs, and a steel cage match between Sikoa and Fatu was booked for SummerSlam.
- Andrade & Rey Fenix def. #DIY, Motor City Machine Guns and Fraxiom via pinfall after Andrade hit Ciampa with The Message. Andrade and Fenix are now No. 1 contenders for The Wyatt Sicks' WWE tag team championships.
- Stephanie Vaquer def. Alba Fyre via pinfall in a short match.
Share Video
-
1:05BREAKING: Hulk Hogan Dies at 71
-
1:16The Undertaker Says CM Punk, Paul Heyman and Randy Orton Deserve a Farewell Tour Like John Cena
-
1:39MUST SEE: Steelers clinch AFC North after Ravens miss game-winning kick
-
0:15MUST-SEE: Myles Garrett takes down Joe Burrow for 23rd sack, setting single-season NFL record
-
1:38What's Next For Lamar Jackson After Being Eliminated?
-
1:51Raiders On Clock With No. 1 Pick in 2026 NFL Draft
-
0:21Broncos defense makes the play: Ja'Quan McMillian returns interception for TD vs. Chargers
-
0:08What a way to finish: Raiders' Daniel Carlson drills last-second 60-yard field goal against rival Chiefs
-
0:25Browns' Devin Bush stuns Bengals with 97-yard pick-six (and gets some help from Myles Garrett)
-
0:20Memorable first TD pass: Colts rookie Riley Leonard hits WIDE-OPEN Alec Pierce for 66-yard strike vs. Texans
-
1:12Why it Took So Little Time to Build a Good Team in Jacksonville
-
1:54Jonathan Jones: 'Seattle is Probably a Run-First Team'
-
0:35JUST IN: QB DJ Lagway Expected to Visit Florida State
-
1:55Predicting Joe Burrow Landing Spots
