Get ready for an unexpected twist on SmackDown! The return of Apollo Crews has everyone talking, but is it a sign of things to come?
Cain A. Knight, our wrestling analyst extraordinaire, brings us the latest from the world of pro wrestling. With a passion dating back to the '80s, Cain has been crunching numbers and providing insightful coverage for Cageside Seats since 2014.
Tonight's episode (Feb. 13) in Dallas started with a bang as United States Champion Carmelo Hayes offered a rematch to Ilja Dragunov. Just as the match was about to begin, Solo Sikoa and MFT crashed the party, sending Ilja to the back of the line. And here's where it gets controversial... MFT and their crew stormed the ring, leading to a chaotic 5-on-2 beatdown. But wait, there's more! Matt Cardona, Apollo Crews, and Shinsuke Nakamura came to the rescue, and GM Nick Aldis decided to shake things up with an impromptu 10-man tag team match.
Apollo's return to the blue brand after a hiatus since January 2025 left us with a burning question: is he here to take a fall? The answer, my friends, is a resounding no! The match's finish was a doozy. Tama Tonga tagged in unnoticed by Carmelo, and Hayes fell victim to Solo's Samoan Spike. Tonga then delivered the Cut Throat finisher, pinning Hayes and potentially setting up a US title shot for Tama.
But here's the part most people miss... The Wyatts Sicks, instead of reclaiming their lantern from MFT, decided to be spooky in the rafters. What a twist!
So, Cagesiders, do you think Tama Tonga is the one to dethrone Carmelo and end his US title reign? And what's your take on the Wyatts and their lantern quest? Join the conversation in the comments and let us know your thoughts! Don't forget to catch up on all the SmackDown results in our live blog right here.
