Friday, June 13’s WWE SmackDown delivered fireworks as “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes took center stage in an electrifying fatal four-way that also featured Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Andrade “El Idolo.” Rhodes pinned Nakamura, booking his spot in the King of the Ring semi-finals and sending a message to the WWE Universe: he’s not just here—he’s here to conquer.
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Rhodes vs. Priest vs. Nakamura vs. Andrade
Rhodes entered the matchup hungry, and boy, did he deliver. He took a brutal fall through a table but battled back with three Cross Rhodes finishers—one for each opponent—to secure the victory. That’s grit, timing, and raw power all wrapped into one. And yes, it punched his ticket into the semi-finals .
Fatal Four-Ways Brought the Fire
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Men’s Division: Randy Orton edged out Carmelo Hayes, LA Knight, and Aleister Black in an explosive royal rumble inside the ring.
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Women’s Division: Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss claimed victories in their respective four-way Queen of the Ring quarter-finals, advancing to the next round.
Yes, SmackDown was running mini tournaments live—and the competition? Trash-talking, bone-jarring, storyline-building heat.
Cena Opens. R‑Truth and CM Punk Throw Down
John Cena kicked off the show with his signature promo swagger—only to be blindsided by R‑Truth, playing Hunter’s STF on the 17-time World Champion. Later, CM Punk teased Cena with verbal jabs in a blazing segment reminiscent of old-school psych-out promos. Then, R‑Truth struck again, applying STF to Cena a second time. The blow-off? A SmackDown match next week, raising the stakes and tension.
SmackDown Night at a Glance
| Segment | Detail |
|---|---|
| Open promo | John Cena cut a powerful new promo… then got torched by R‑Truth |
| Men’s King matches | Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes advanced thru chaos-filled four-way bouts |
| Women’s Queen matches | Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss move on after #FatalFourWay showdowns |
| Tag Team Spotlight | Motor City Machine Guns fell to Wyatt Sicks |
| Cena vs. Punk tease | Heated exchange ahead of their Night of Champions build-up |
| Next week’s promise | Cena vs. R‑Truth in-ring next Friday |
What This Means for King & Queen of the Ring Storylines
SmackDown’s tournament tie-ins are working beautifully. Orton, Rhodes, Cargill, Bliss—each advancing competitor builds momentum not just for the title ahead, but for their upcoming pay-per-view arcs. Cody’s pin on Nakamura is especially massive: it positions him as a major title threat already, before the semi-finals even hit.
Cena’s Fallout: R‑Truth and Punk Fuel a Rivalry
Cena’s SmackDown return isn’t just him stepping back into the ring—it’s a storyline pivot. Enter R‑Truth, reeking havoc, and CM Punk, stirring the emotions. Cena’s next confrontation will shape his legacy arc as he marches toward potential retirement (with a hint at June 19). Expect fireworks as Punk and Cena’s dynamic flips the script next week.
Women’s Division Finds Emerging Stars
Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss advancing through the Queen brackets underscores WWE’s strategy: inject fresh energy while bridging to future main events. Cargill’s power and Bliss’s cunning are getting the spotlight—reminds me of a chessboard: muscle versus mind, collision course to the top.
Tag Team Damage: Wyatt Sicks on the Rise
Motor City Machine Guns fell to Wyatt Sicks, who brought a new ruthless edge to tag team wrestling. With Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis in the mix, expect them to be a disruptive force rolling into Money in the Bank fallout.
Conclusion
SmackDown on June 13 wasn’t filler—it was the kind of explosive narrative advance fans crave. Tournaments heating up, giants falling, promos burning bright. Cody Rhodes locked in the spotlight. Cena tangled in new rivalries. And both divisions finding fresh blood. SmackDown just reminded everyone: Friday nights are not routine—they’re pivotal.