Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for October 31, 2025

Tiffany Stratton suddenly shows up in the ring to start tonight's show to call out Jade Cargill. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and reminds Tiffany that she is "cleared as tolerated" and that her match cannot be jeopardized via physical contact. Jade Cargill shows up, but so does security, and an unfazed Cargill says that "Taffy time is up" on Saturday. Security keeps Tiffany away from Cargill.

We see a vignette for Ilja Dragunov, who says that difficulty shows what men are. He says that suffering is the true test of life, and that the pain will entertain you.

Backstage, R-Truth is dressed as Santa Claus thinking it is Christmas and hands The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) candy, then leaves. Solo Sikoa shows up and calls them bums taking candy from a stranger, then taking offense to them mentioning his family as part of their road back to being tag team champions. Solo then says that the MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) are first in line for tag gold. This leads to Sabin challenging the MFTs to a tag team match.

Before the next match, Tommaso Ciampa rushes past Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) to try to get a United States title shot off of Ilja Dragunov, but Dragunov gives Nathan Frazer the match and tells Ciampa that while the open challenge is for everyone, "there is no reward for jackasses." Ciampa leaves.

Ilja Dragunov retains the WWE United States Championship against Nathan Frazer. After the match, Frazer is attacked from behind by Tommaso Ciampa.

We find out that security have had to break up a brawl between Tommaso Ciampa and Nathan Frazer, then Tama Tonga shows up after the brawl is stopped with the WWE United States Championship in his hands and hands the title back to Ilja Dragunov.

Carmelo Hayes beats Kit Wilson despite interference from The Miz, who attacks Carmelo after the match with a Skull Crushing Finale and tells him it is not over until he says it is over.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Alexa says that The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) are chasing what they have and that they are not hard to find. Charlotte says everyone wants what they have because it works, then says that she let Alexa in and Alexa's life is better for it. Alexa says Nia Jax has been bitter for years and that Nia will find out that she outgrew her.

Backstage, Sami Zayn speaks with General Manager Nick Aldis and asks to be in The Motor City Machine Guns' (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) corner. Aldis tells Sami that he is not cleared and that his presence will make things worse, and asks him to sit this one. Sami agrees, then "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up. Cody says he is proud of Sami for what he has recently done, then Sami wishes Cody luck before he leaves. Aldis asks Cody if he had anything to do with the attack on Jacob Fatu - which Cody says he has nothing to do with - then mentions the contract signing. Cody says he has seen the contract and that Drew McIntyre now has to read it.

Alexa Bliss beats Nia Jax after Charlotte Flair distracts Nia as she goes for the A-Nia-Lator.

Backstage, The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo) run into Rey Fenix. Fenix tells Solo Sikoa he does not want to fight him, then grabs a stool, tells Talla Tonga he wants to fight him, then slaps Talla when Solo says it is on for next week. Solo holds Talla back, telling him to focus on tonight.

We hear from Damian Priest, who says that he should hate Aleister Black for everything he has done to him, but he does not. He says that it is now personal for him and that when he finally gets his hand on Aleister, not even the Devil can save him. He says Aleister spit his poison, but now he will taste his venom when he comes for him.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton speaks with General Manager Nick Aldis when Kiana James and Giulia butt in, with Kiana saying Tiffany should have accepted their help. Tiffany threatens to beat Kiana up, then Giulia says she will not be talking like that - or at all - again after Saturday. Meanwhile, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre shows up wanting a match for the WWE Women's United States Championship. Giulia gives it to Chelsea so she can prove she is the better champion, then she and Kiana leave, as does Aldis. Chelsea celebrates, then she and Alba notice Nikki Cross, freak out and run.

We see a dark match from earlier today between the mascots of the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Univesrity of Utah Utes. Swoop, the Utes' mascot, gets the win.

The MFTs (Tama Tonga and JC Mateo) beat The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) after Solo Sikoa distracts the referee so that Tonga Loa can shove Alex Shelley off the top rope and onto the floor. After the match, Talla Tonga choke slams Sabin while Tonga Loa beats Alex Shelley down. All of a sudden, Rey Fenix shows up and fights Talla Tonga. Talla lays him out, then Loa goes for the ground and pound until Shinsuke Nakamura shows up. Nakamura fights his way to the ring, but he too gets choke slammed by Talla Tonga.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre meets with General Manager Nick Aldis and says there is no issue with the contract, then tells Aldis he needs to learn to relax when Aldis makes it known that he fears McIntyre will say something on the mike that he should not.

General Manager Nick Aldis oversees the contract signing for the WWE Championship match at Saturday Night's Main Event. "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes arrives first. Cody wishes everyone a happy Halloween, then Drew McIntyre is introduced second. McIntyre almost signs the contract, then says he cannot sign it. Cody takes the contract and signs it, then McIntyre says it is lopsided. Aldis says it is in standard legalese and demands McIntyre signs it, but McIntyre refuses, citing the champion's advantage. He also says that Cody will get himself disqualified intentionally again before stating that he will not sign the contract. Aldis says he has had enough of this and says there is a whole locker room full of people who can take his place. McIntyre says "Okay, get one of them." As McIntyre is about to leave, Cody stops McIntyre and says he is "110% fine" with a clause that allows the title to change hands on a disqualification, saying he does not an easy way out against McIntyre. Aldis makes his displeasure known, but Cody tells Aldis that this needs to end and McIntyre tells Aldis to do the right thing. McIntyre then signs the contract. McIntyre calls this a happy moment, but he is also sad, and while Cody finished his story, he comes off as "corporate." McIntyre then says he does things the right way and that he is "the real American Dream." Cody finds it commendable that McIntyre still brings up their parallel pasts as well as McIntyre's return to WWE. He then says that while he grew some balls and walked from WWE, McIntyre just got fired. Cody wishes McIntyre luck, saying that nice guys finished last until he showed up. McIntyre stops Cody on his way out and says Cody keeps giving and the fans keep taking, and that one day, the fans will turn on Cody like they have turned on him. He then says that Cody may be in orange for the fans, then brings up his daughters, saying they would be happy for him to be at home right now trick or treating. Cody nearly attacks McIntyre, but McInytre slips out of the ring. As Aldis reasons with Cody, McIntyre slips back into the ring and hits Cody with a Claymore Kick before looking at the WWE Championship and powerbombing Cody through a table. McIntyre tells Cody to spend time with his family before he takes what is most precious to him - the WWE Championship - away.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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