WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Live Grades, Highlights Before SNME 41

Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on October 31.

It's Halloween but that doesn't mean there will be any treats for the men and women of WWE. They still have to head into the ring and do battle just like every other week.

Here is a look at what WWE advertised for Friday's show:

• Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre have a contract signing
• Jade Cargill addresses her actions last week
• Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax
• Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson

Let's take a look at everything that happened on Friday's SmackDown.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Nathan Frazer

Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Dragunov defeated Aleister Black (SmackDown, Oct. 24), The Vision defeated Fraxion (SmackDown, Sept. 19)

Stratton came to the ring and called out Cargill for a fight, but Nick Aldis came to the ring and said the doctors haven't cleared her yet. Cargill came out and taunted the champion a little to get under her skin while security kept them apart.

After a break and a few segments, Ilja Dragunov was set to put the U.S. title on the line in an open challenge against Nathan Frazer.

Before it could begin, Tommaso Ciampa came out and said Frazer doesn't deserve the shot. Ilja told him to take a walk, which he did, but he did it too easily, so it felt like it would lead to something.

Frazer tried to get the advantage immediately with a running knee, but The Mad Dragon was right back to his feet and put him in the corner for some chops.

This was an interesting and exciting matchup because it felt so fresh. These two have only had two previous encounters. One took place in NXT UK in 2022, and one in NXT back in 2023, so this was their first match on the main roster together.

This was a fast-paced match that also had some stiff strikes and fun spots. They worked very well together to put on a great show. At one point, Frazer almost won with a Phoenix splash, but it wasn't enough to keep the champion down.

Dragunov was able to retain with a clean victory, which was surprising after it looked like they were setting up for Ciampa to interfere. He showed up after the match to attack Frazer, though.

Result: Dragunov defeated Frazer

Grade: A-

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Notable Moments and Observations

• Jade Cargill was dressed as The Punisher when she arrived, continuing her Marvel references in her outfits, but then she showed up looking like Catwoman from Batman Returns when the show was live.
• R-Truth was dressed as Santa Claus and handed out some candy backstage.
• The video package for Dragunov was great.
• Frazer somehow moves at superhuman speed sometimes. He is so explosive.
• Dragunov's German suplex had so much snap to it. It looked great.
• Frazer's backflip into a reverse DDT was amazing.

Kit Wilson vs. Carmelo Hayes

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Wilson lost to Montez Ford (Main Event, Oct. 17), Hayes and The Miz lost to the Street Profits (SmackDown, Sept. 26)

Elton Prince is still out with an injury, so Wilson had to go it alone when he took on Hayes in a singles match this week.

Wilson took control early by throwing his vest at Hayes before rushing him in the corner. He maintained his position for a little while, but once Hayes regained his composure, he began unloading on him.

The Miz showed up and sent Hayes into the ring post while the ref was distracted, but Wilson was unable to capitalize on the moment. Hayes hit the First 48 right after for the win.

This was short and predictable, but it had its moments. The Miz left his former protege downed after hitting him with his finisher, so this feud is far from over.

Result: Hayes defeated Wilson

Grade: C

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Notable Moments and Observations

• Tama Tonga had a quick moment backstage with Dragunov implying he might be the next challenger.
• Hayes' headscissor takedown looked good. Wilson sold it well.

Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Bliss and Charlotte Flair defeated Lyra Valkyria and Bayley (Raw, Oct. 27), Jax lost to Stratton (SmackDown, Sept. 26)

Former partners and tag team champions found themselves as opponents on Friday when Bliss stepped into the ring with Jax.

Jax hit Bliss from behind as she was handing her title to Charlotte to take control right out of the gate. She started throwing Bliss from corner to corner and hitting her with splashes against the turnbuckle.

Bliss screamed in her face and tried to fight back, but Jax put her on her back with one shot. It took some time before Little Miss Bliss started getting in any real offense.

The Queen watched as her partner was taking a lot of punishment. Jax came close with a Samoan drop, but Bliss was able to kick out at two.

This match followed the usual David vs. Goliath formula. Jax was as dominant as ever, and Bliss made for the perfect underdog. Thanks to a distraction from Flair, Bliss was able to steal the win by knocking Jax off the middle rope and pinning her before she knew what was happening.

Result: Bliss defeated Jax

Grade: B-

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Notable Moments and Observations

• There were several segments involving Utah University throughout the show.
• Sami Zayn asked Aldis to be in MCMG's corner tonight, but he was not medically cleared, so Aldis told him to sit this one out.
• Corey Graves was really pushing with the hyperbole on commentary.

The MFTs vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: MFTs defeated Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura (SmackDown, Oct. 24), MCMG defeated Los Garzas (SmackDown, Oct. 17)

The next matchup saw Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin take on JC Mateo and Tama Tonga in a tag match that was set up earlier in the show during a backstage segment.

Mateo used his significant size and power advantage to take control almost immediately. Shelley was isolated for a long time, while Mateo and Tonga tagged in and out to keep themselves fresh.

Sabin wasn't able to get the hot tag until after the commercial break, but once he got it, he came in and started going at full speed to take on both opponents by himself.

Sadly for MCMG, Sabin's burst of offense was too little, too late. Tonga got the win for his team by hitting his finisher, and then Talla Tonga added insults to injury by coming in and chokeslamming Sabin while they forced Shelley to watch.

This was a decent tag match, but with a little more time, it would have been much better. It felt like they were just getting going when it ended. Fenix and Nakamura came out to get some revenge for last week's loss, but they didn't fare any better.

Result: MFTs defeated MCMG

Grade: B-

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Notable Moments and Observations

• Chelsea Green's Snow White gear was great.
• Graves referenced Keith Lee being called Bearcat Lee. It was quick and might not have been obvious.
• When Solo Sikoa eventually wrestles again, he should use the same paint as the rest of the group. It's a cool look that stands out.

Contract Signing

Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images

The show ended with the contract signing segment involving McIntyre and Rhodes, which Aldis was out there to oversee in an attempt to keep the peace.

Rhodes signed on the dotted line immediately, but McIntyre said he couldn't sign it because it was lopsided. Aldis said it was a standard championship contract and threatened to take away the title shot completely.

McIntyre called his bluff and said to get someone else as he attempted to leave. Rhodes asked him to sit down and said he knew what McIntyre wanted.

He confirmed that McIntyre wanted to add a stipulation to the contract stating if Rhodes is counted out or DQed, he would lose the title. The American Nightmare said he was fine with it, so McIntyre signed.

They talked a little trash to each other and made this a decent promo segment, but it was also incredibly predictable and felt like a lot of segments Rhodes has had like this.

Grade: B-

The Final Word

WWE usually takes advantage of episodes on Holidays and makes the show feel like it has a theme, but this year's Halloween SmackDown just had a few costumes and that was it. 

We got the usual four matches we get every week from the blue brand, but only one of them stood out as special.

The encounter between Dragunov and Frazer wasn't just the best match on the card, but it was the best WWE match we saw all week.

They worked together to put on an entertaining fight that left both men with some bruises they will be feeling tomorrow. It was the kind of match that could stand next to any PPV bout and hold its own. 

Grade: B-