So I was genuinely surprised at the start of this week's episode of Smackdown because Cody

Rhodes walked the ring and told us he was cleared to wrestle. I was like, man, that guy's such a warrior beast. How the flubbs is eye still looks terrible, which also very sadly leads us to our first down because nobody mentioned Randy on on this show. Now I figured we were waiting until we learned that Cody Rhodes did have the green light, but as we were going to be educated later, that it's not the case at all. Now listen, maybe Randy all his injured, maybe all that back injury stuff was true, but you can't just go quiet and go, if we don't say anything, maybe everybody will forget because we're nerds, man, and we don't forget about anything. In fact, sometimes we do become a little too obsessed. And listen, maybe he does get involved in backlash or wherever we go to do, Cody Rhodes versus insert wrestler here. Once again, you'll find out later. But I just do not get it. Apparently Randy Orton decided, well, I punted Cody right in the head and I didn't win the WW Championship, but my work is done. Also, all my friends, one of ups andps and Downs, the only wrestling review show you need, and we are going to call this episode, the budget episode of Ups and Downs, because this is all you're getting in terms of editing and counters and stuff, because for reasons we don't need to get into because it's boring anyway, we don't have anyone to edit the video, and usually I would do it, that I have like, well, less than an hour, but I have to zoom off to a wrestling show because I am wrestling today, Elevation Wrestling. I will see you later. So it's just one of those occasions. I think in 10 years, this is the first time that it has happened. So it's just going to be me with a background yelling at you. I hope that's okay. But I do apologize, but normal service will return next week. Let's up those doubts. But yes, Cody did come out, is all like on my gosh. What do you want to talk about? Because you have to drop your catchphrase. If you are on the opening promo, he did tell us he was cleared when essentially, who walked to the ring to interrupt him? It was Ricky Saints. Now yes, he didn't get the biggest evasion, but you don't have to worry about that because Ricky Stark slash Ricky Sates always gets over, just give him some time. And actually, given that he was going to have a match later, we'll just go and watch the differences in crowd response. It was kind of tepid when he did properly debut, and then he had everybody booing him. He also said, I am the biggest free agent on Smackdown. Well, that doesn't make sense. It's a contradiction in terms, because if you signed the Smackdown, you are not a free agent. He also hinted at the fact they do have a past, and one day I do hope we'll end into that, because that would be an awesome story where basically Cody was like, oh, well, look at you coming at the big dog in the yard. I'm very proud of that. And you know what, given that I have been allowed to do the fighting, why don't we have one later? It was actually Ricky to put out this challenge because he said, no matter what I have accomplished, you've accomplished more. So let me whip your ass. And actually, if we do take a step back, it probably comes down to the fact that Cody and Ricky Saites are friends and Cody was like, well, if you are about to debut on the big show, let me try give you a great match so we can tell everybody, you've got to watch this guy. Ricky is just made for the main roster two. The promo he cut was absolutely effortless. And while you knew deep down our tutsy-toosy was never going to win, I actually thought this was very effective because, again,

Ricky Saints can talk, and when you can talk, that's half the battle. I mean, I guess it was a bit kind of just there, but we are establishing human beings, which is what you need to do when you do get called up. I am giving it an up. It did the job. John Flare and Alexa Bist were then super mad about what fatal influence had done last week.

When Rea Ripley walked in, it was like, good-a- right. Listen, there's three of them and there's three of us. So even though my exit's gone weird, I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement. And Charlotte went, no, I don't like you when she tried to make a dramatic exit. This made me laugh because she wanted Alexa Bliss to come with her, and Alexa didn't clock on at first, which was like, oh, sorry, Ria, I have to leave.

Charlotte has tried to make a dramatic exit. I love these two, I think they're great together. We then did get Charlotte Flair versus Jacey Jane, and I just thought this was wonderful, and it goes back to what we always say. Sometimes you just need to calm down with all the shenanigans, because when fatal influence here went crazy shenanigans, allowing J.C. Jane to win, you just stare off into the distance and think to yourself, ooh, d'allie, flipping J.C.J. from NXT just meet Charlotte Flair. I don't care which way you cover the toast. That's a big deal. Jane Carp Prime on the way to the ring as well, saying, I am going to take out all the legends, and she kicked out of Charlotte Flauze Moon Salt.

Now, listen, a lot going to take out all the legends, and she kicked out of Charlotte Flair's Moonsault.

Now, listen, a lot of people kick out of Charlotte Flau's Moonsault, but the commentator saw it like it was a big deal, so I have decided to accept it in kind. Fallon Henley also made sure to help her buddy as soon as Charlotte was going for the figure eight, But because that caused some commotion, the sets Alexa Biss was running around,

Lady Reid then ran and went, oh, ever here, Alexa, and can you believe it's shown? the figure eight. But because that caused some commotion, the sets Alexa Biss was running around.

Lady Reid then ran and went, oh, ever here, Alexa? And can you believe it? Charlotte was absolutely shocked by this. How dare somebody on the outside of the ring be doing something when I'm trying to do something in the ring when J.C. Jane hit her finisher, which I've now forgotten the name of. let me look at my notes. Can I find it? No, I can't. The Rolling Encore. Good work, eyes.

I don't know why that slipped my mind. But she did pin Charlotte Flair. And even though this was because of distraction, that's what I want, given they

are fatal influence. And they are a bunch of goobers. Just don't copy and paste it throughout

the show. So I think WWE is doing a great job with this group at the moment, and of course we'll get to the six-person tag eventually, even more so because they started to beat up Charlotte Alexa and who came out to make the save? I mean, maybe you're thinking to tanker, which is totally wrong. It was repo man. I did a double. I shouldn't have done that. It was Ria Rippley. Now, actually, when Fatal Influence were laying it,

Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley almost crashed together, which was their plan, but of course they'll get on the same page. And actually, Ria Ripley, Charlotte Flen Alexiblis, versus those three. Well, I quite like it. So this is a textbook example about how you do get somebody up from NXT on to Smackdown, and I would actually figure out a way to make J.C. Daniel champion in 2006.

She's going to be just fine. She's like Ricky Saints. Maybe she was destined from the main roster, giving it up. And then kind of felt like the women's tag team division has started to meander just a little bit, which is a shame. But we did have a big old promo with Paige and Bree Bella. They were like, oh, that Lash Legend and Nyadjacks. We really hate them and we don't particularly like fatal influence either. I'm sure we'll have a match with the ball. I just don't think it feels all that exciting at the moment, although we will talk about that later when we get to the match. Let's not forget Paige made her big return at WrestleMania. Now it kind of feels like she's just been on the roster for months. It's been about two weeks.

It is sort on the roster for

months. It's been about two weeks. It is sort of the same for the men's as well. I don't think W.W. has a direction here, but at least it does make me laugh. Because R.Truth, Damien Priest and Fraxium were talking. And because Our Truth is such a mad person, Damien Priest thought he'd thrown out a title challenge to Fraxium, who were very excited about this, and ran off to get it green lit.

When it turned out, our truth was actually talking about taxes. Now, that is as insane as it does sound, but once again, truth and priests together are just such a good team. Well, they bring me joy. And you don't actually have a week-to-week plan, which it kind of feels like when it comes to the men's tag team belts, at least put a smile on my face. And that's what WW says they do anyway. It was happiness in my heart after this as well, because WW Smackdown turned into a kid's cartoon. Because the Miz and Kit Wilson were quite literally Scooby-Doo villains. They were trying to come up with elaborate boy to stop Dan

Hauser because they figured out he loves human money. Therefore, they got a briefcase. They put human money in it and they're all like, oh my gosh, Dan Housen will love human money. When Dan Housen walked in, of course, said, oh ha, it's human money. And he was able to take the bills out of the damn briefcase and nothing happened. The Miz then went this stupid thing. Why didn't it work?

And it exploded his face. Now listen, some people will say, bills out of the damn briefcase and nothing happened. The Miz then went this stupid thing. Why didn't it work?

And it exploded in his face. Now, listen, some people will say this is for eight year olds.

What is wrong with that man, whether you're 25, 35 or 72? You always need that childlike spirit.

Doesn't mean you had to enjoy this, but I'm giving it enough. It's just so ridiculous in the best

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