Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for October 3, 2025

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Before Cody can talk about anything, Paul Heyman shows up from out of the crowd with Bron Breakker and "Big" Bronson Reed. Randy Orton suddenly shows up and stands alongside Cody. Heyman says that he, Breakker and Bronson are not here to talk to Cody, but to Orton, who Heyman considers "a tough guy to get a hold of" and that he knew that if they confronted Cody, Orton would show up. Heyman also states that Cody and Orton will lose to Breakker and Bronson tonight before trying to drive a wedge between Cody and Orton by stating that Orton will blame Cody when they lose. He states that Cody and Orton's partnership cannot last, then says that is not a prediction from an oracle, but a prophecy.

Backstage, The Miz confronts Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo says there is nothing to explain, and The Miz wants to know why Carmelo did not save him. Carmelo says that Miz has his back yet keeps being in his way, and says that they are done. Carmelo says that he is trying to be cool about this whole ordeal, then leaves.

Members of the Cincinnati Bengals NFL team are seen in the front row.

Sami Zayn's open challenge opponent is revealed to be Carmelo Hayes. Carmelo says he is here, and this time, he does not have anyone clouding his vision of winning championship gold. He says both he and Sami know how good he is and that he is the best he has ever been tonight. He is then attacked from behind by The Miz with a Skull Crushing Finale. Officials then have to keep Miz away from Carmelo. All of a sudden, Aleister Black walks by, takes the microphone and says he will take Sami Zayn's challenge.

Sami Zayn retains the WWE United States Championship against Aleister Black following the distraction by Damian Priest. After the match, Damian Priest pulls Aleister Black out of the ring and puts him through the announce table with a Razor's Edge.

In backstage footage from earlier today, General Manager Nick Aldis is talking with Sol Ruca and Zaria when Chrlsea Green and Alba Fyre offer them a position in the Secret Hervice. Sol Ruca says they are not interested and that they have been beaten them before, and Zaria says they are more interested in being women' tag team champions. Sol Ruca and Zarian then challenge Chelsea and Alba to a match tonight, which Aldis makes official. Chelsea and Alba are livid.

Sol Ruca and Zaria beat Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Charlotte and Alexa agree that Sol Ruca and Zaria were impressive and that they have come far. Charlotte says she can understand why they want to face them, and Alexa says they will get their shot when the time comes.

Backstage, Randy Orton is met by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes in the locker room. Orton tells Cody that he has his back and that he does not care about what Paul Heyman says.

General Manager Nick Aldis is in the ring to oversee a contract signing between Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer for their WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship match. Tiffany is introduced first, followed by Vaquer. Vaquer tells Tiffany that she respects her and thinks Tiffany is a great champion, but she will soon show her who she is. Tiffany says she cannot wait to step foot into the ring with Vaquer as they have both proven they are the best, but only one women will walk out of Crown Jewel and it will be her. After Tiffany says that it will be Tiffy Time no matter when or where, she signs the contract, and Vaquer immediately follows suit. Both women then shake hands. As Tiffany leaves, she is suddenly attacked by Giulia, and Kiana James makes a business proposal for Vaquer. Kiana says Vaquer is a star, but not a superstar, and that she can make that happen if she accepts her services. She says her costs are high, but the prestige she will gain is priceless, and Giulia overshadows Tiffany as the best champion on SmackDown. As Kiana says she can make Vaquer the Women's Crown Jewel Champion, Tiffany drags Kiana out of the ring and punches her. Vaquer almost hits Giulia with the SVB, but Giulia escapes, and Kiana helps Giulia out of the ring.

In backstage footage from earlier today, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with Je'Von Evans and asks him to keep in touch. Rey Fenix shows up and congratulates Je'Von on his match from last week, then Los Garza (Angel and Berto) show up and mockingly call Je'Von a rookie. Je'Von proposes they have a tag team match, and the match is made official for tonight.

We hear from Jacob Fatu, who says that he is tired of people lying, crying and wasting time with "BS stories." He says people like to talk until the situation gets spicy, then says he has been in a low place before and that he will beat people down for sleeping on him. He says that he will light up anybody who gets in his way to the top, for he is all gas and no brakes.

Je'Von Evans and Rey Fenix beat Los Garza (Angel and Berto).

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Damian Priest, who says that everyone's luck eventually runs out before Kit Wilson shows up in a wheelchair and dares Priest to overthrow him, calls him toxic, and threatens to show what true masculinity is as he stands up. Priest pushes Kit Wilson back into his wheelchair with one finger and shoves him down the ramp into a road crate, then challenges Aleister Black to a Last Man Standing Match for next week.

We hear from Solo Sikoa, who addresses Talla Tonga, stating he helped him win his first main roster championship. He says there is a monster in Talla and that Talla needs to bring it out and show it to everyone and show his loyalty. Talla tells Solo he loves him. Solo then says someone is missing, and when he finds that missing partner, everyone is on notice.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and B-Fab. B-Fab says The Street Profits are on the same page. Dawkins says they have been through a lot in the past couple of months, but their partnership is not worth giving up. Montez says they are not fighting just for the tag team championships, but also for each other. The Wyatt Sicks (Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) show up on the nearby monitor. Erick Rowan says The Street Profits may be brothers, but asks if that brotherhodd will survive after their next match. Gacy says their house is burning and surrounded by flames that will take everything from them, and Dexter Lumis says they will choke on the smoke of everything they desire. Nikki Cross says they will be nothing but a pile of ashes. Erick Rowan says "From my family...to yours" before The Wyatt Sicks laugh.

The Vision (Bron Breakker and "Big" Bronson Reed) beat "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton after Paul Heyman distracts the referee so that Seth "Freakin'" Rollins can get in the ring and hit Rollins with The Stomp. After the match, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins goes from a celebratory mood to an angry mood, as as Heyman dares him not to do anything, Rollins runs into the ring to hit Cody with The Stomp only for Cody to get up and hit Rollins with the Cross Rhodes.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!