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WWE ‘SmackDown’ highlights: Cena to face Gunther in final match, ‘Terror Twins’ are back

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WWE ‘SmackDown’ highlights: Cena to face Gunther in final match, ‘Terror Twins’ are back


Friday’s “SmackDown” emphasized that the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is certainly not over, as Rhodes continues to get enraged by the sight of McIntyre.

This episode also served as a launchpad for next week’s “SmackDown,” where we could see the rivalry surrounding the United States Championship finally come to a head, and a mixed-tag team match that involves a terrorizing reunion. It also foreshadowed rivalries of the future, where two massive teams locked eyes (and fists) in the ring, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13, where we finally know who will face John Cena in his final match.

Friday ‘SmackDown’ results

• Ilja Dragunov def. Carmelo Hayes to retain the United States Championship
• Alexa Bliss def. Kairi Sane
• Jade Cargill def. Alba Fyre to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
• Gunther def. LA Knight in “The Last Time Is Now” tournament final

Is Gunther the best opponent for John Cena’s final match?

Gunther defeated LA Knight to win “The Last Time Is Now” tournament and the right to face Cena in his final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.

I don’t mind Gunther as the choice, although it doesn’t perfectly fit SNME’s theme of spotlighting future talent. A couple months ago, my pick to face Cena in his final match was Dominik Mysterio. He hasn’t been world champion yet, but absolutely on course to become one, and would benefit greatly from the aura that would come with pinning the “Greatest of All Time” in his final match. But “Dirty Dom” did get his victory over Cena in his hometown of San Diego at Survivor Series, and one could argue that’s equally as impactful to his career. For Gunther, he is already a former world champion and a main event star, so a win over Cena could be viewed as just another notch on his belt. Now, having retired two pro wrestling legends in a calendar year (Gunther already defeated Goldberg in his final match in July) is an impressive feat, and a “Legend Killer” era of Gunther would be something. Maybe he faces Randy Orton in 2026 — “Legend Killer vs. Legend Killer” — and fans are talking a lot about a Chris Jericho WWE retirement run.

But that’s for later. Let’s dive into next week’s match between Cena and Gunther.

Logically, Gunther should win this match. He’s sticking around while Cena is retiring. He will be among the athletes who will carry the WWE for years to come. The only scenario I can create for Cena winning this match, if you are looking for one, is that the match is in Washington, D.C. and a “Cena wins one for America in the country’s capital” is a nice touch. But that’s the only scenario I could remotely see happening for a Cena victory. Cena has immense respect for WWE and pro wrestling. He’d choose to, and want to go out on his shield. And quite frankly, the result doesn’t matter on Saturday — the paying homage does. The post-match celebration does. I hope it’s a long party in the ring filled with gratitude and respect. Because the “Greatest of All Time” deserves it.

Other takeaways/storylines

• Damien Priest and Rhea Ripley revealed that the Terror Twins are back. Next week on “SmackDown” it will be Priest and Ripley against Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, which should be a highly entertaining match. I could see this rivalry spilling into 2026, maybe even on the first “SmackDown” of the year, in a cage or another climactic specialty match.

• Tommaso Ciampa interfered in the United States Championship open challenge match between Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes, costing Hayes the match with Dragunov unaware. But Dragunov saw the replay on the big screen while walking back up the aisle and became enraged. Eventually, Dragunov will get fed up with Ciampa — who’s been asking for the challenge — and grant him a title match. I wouldn’t mind Ciampa winning by crook and Dragunov chasing him all the way to WrestleMania.

• WWE Undisputed champion Cody Rhodes spoke to NXT champion Ricky Saints and challenger Oba Femi, who will meet on Saturday’s NXT Deadline main event. Rhodes said that the winner of that match will face him at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which aligns with the show’s theme of focusing on future talent. Rhodes and Saints are long-time competitors with a lot of mutual respect. That match would be a highly entertaining match for SNME.

• … and more on Rhodes, whose rivalry with Drew McIntyre continued for another week. McIntyre waltzed into the arena thinking he was no longer suspended following his team’s win at Survivor Series: WarGames, but “SmackDown” general manager Adam Pearce kicked him out — again — but not before Rhodes beat him up inside McIntyre’s own truck (a nice callback to McIntyre roughing up Rhodes on his bus a few weeks ago). After it was over, Rhodes begged Pearce to reinstate McIntyre. Will that be their final match, and will it be on “SmackDown” or at the Royal Rumble?

• Solo Sikoa and MFT have finally addressed the Wyatt Sicks head-on.

“Everything that was his … that is yours … will be mine,” Sikoa said. “You do not deserve the name Wyatt.” He went on to say he is going to take it all away “because I can … all I have to do is Bo-Lieve.” This caused the Wyatt Sicks to arrive, with Uncle Howdy in the ring, flanked by the rest of the Sicks. The segment ended with both groups throwing punches at each other. Erik Rowan threw Tala Tonga out of the ring and the Wyatts stood tall, having the edge.





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UFC 326 takeaways: Is this the end of the BMF title?

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39 minutes ago

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March 8, 2026

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UFC 326 takeaways: Is this the end of the BMF title?



The BMF legacy is used to a certain type of fight that Holloway vs. Oliveira just didn’t bring.



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McKendree wins inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling team title

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3 hours ago

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March 8, 2026

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McKendree wins inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling team title


CORALVILLE, Iowa — Yu Sakamoto beat Riley Rayome of North Central (IL) 4-3 to win the 117-pound crown and clinch the team title for McKendree on Saturday night at the inaugural NCAA women’s wrestling championships.

After a wild scramble in the final seconds, a challenge by North Central and a review, Sakamoto’s win gave McKendree a 167-166 lead over Iowa — which finished with three individual champions and a runner-up but had no remaining competitors with two matches remaining. The Bearcats finished with 171 points and third-place North Central had 123.5.

Grand Valley State’s Katerina Lange, the No. 1 seed, beat second-seeded Claire DiCugno of North Central 4-1 to claim the 138-pound title and become the first women’s wrestling national champion.

North Central’s Bella Mir won at 145 pounds, beating No. 1 seed and former teammate Reese Larramendy of Iowa in the first round to avenge her only regular-season loss. The second-seeded Mir — an Iowa transfer and the daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion, Frank Mir — reversed a takedown attempt, immediately rolled and pinned Larramendy with 34 seconds left.

Iowa’s Valarie Solorio, the No. 2 seed, beat fourth-seeded Rayana Sahagun of Grand Valley State by technical fall in the second round to win the 103-pound title. Sahagun beat No. 1 seed Heather Crull on criteria (7-7) in the semifinals.

Lehigh’s Audrey Jimenez pinned Sage Mortimer of Grand Valley State just 1:19 into the first round to claim the crown at 110 pounds.

Quincy’s Xochitl Mota-Pettis won at 124 pounds, beating Shelby Moore of McKendree by technical fall (10-0) in the second round.

Cameron Guerin of McKendree beat Alexis Janlak of Aurora on criteria (5-5) to win the championship at 131 pounds in the final match of the night.

Iowa’s Kennedy Blades, the No. 1 seed, pinned third-seeded Tiffani Baublitz of East Stroudsburg in 1:19 to claim the 160-pound crown.

Iowa’s Kylie Welker outscored Destiny Rodriguez of McKendree 11-0 in the first round to win the 180-pound title by technical fall.

McKendree’s Tristan Kelly beat Sabrina Nauss of Grand Valley State by technical fall (11-0) in the second round to secure the national championship at 207 pounds.



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White House UFC event to be headlined by Topuria-Gaethje

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4 hours ago

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March 8, 2026

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White House UFC event to be headlined by Topuria-Gaethje


A collage showing UFC fighters Justin Gaethje (left) and  Ilia Topuria. — AFP/Reuters/File

WASHINGTON: An Ultimate Fighting Championship event to be staged on the White House’s South Lawn in June will be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, the UFC announced Saturday.

The lightweight championship clash will top a bill of six fights set to take place on the US Flag Day holiday and the 80th birthday of President Donald Trump, who is an avowed UFC fan.

The June 14 event has been dubbed “UFC Freedom 250,” in reference to the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations this summer.

Topuria is one of the UFC’s top-rated fighters and a double-weight champion who has won all 17 of his fights.

A former featherweight champion, he earned the lightweight belt last year by knocking out Brazil’s Charles Oliveira before temporarily stepping away from the sport for personal reasons.

Born in Germany to Georgian refugee parents, Topuria moved to Spain as a teenager, and has both Georgian and Spanish citizenship.

In Topuria’s UFC absence, Arizona native Gaethje won an interim lightweight title, but will now have a chance to capture the undisputed championship.

The 37-year-old American has a 27-5 record in UFC.

Trump has said a stadium for more than 100,000 people would be constructed in front of the White House for the fight, although organisers have since said the event is expected to host some 3,000 to 4,000 people at the heart of Washington DC.

Large screens to view the event are expected to be raised in other places near the White House for larger crowds to watch the show.

The event was originally announced for July 4, which is Independence Day in the US, before being moved to Trump’s birthday.

The Republican president has also unveiled plans for an IndyCar race on the streets of Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence.

UFC is the largest and most successful organisation in the burgeoning world of MMA, a blend of martial arts disciplines like jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing and wrestling.

Bouts take place in an eight-sided ring — dubbed “The Octagon” — bounded by a chainlink fence.

With few exceptions — such as eye-gouging — male and female fighters are allowed to employ almost any technique to attack their opponent.

The sport’s popularity with young men — a key demographic in the 2024 US election — and Trump’s long association with the UFC have made the president a regular fixture at some of its more high-profile events, where he is greeted like a rock star.

Its brutal nature and high injury rate mean the sport is controversial, with doctors decrying the potential for brain damage amongst fighters who are repeatedly hit in the head, though it has gained increasing mainstream acceptance in recent years.





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