Explosive Smackdown in San Diego Moments: Kevin Owens’ Big Win and AEW Women’s Division

Explosive Smackdown in San Diego Moments: Kevin Owens’ Big Win and Toni Storm in the AEW Women's Division

Get the lowdown on Kevin Owens’ showdown with Rey Mysterio in San Diego. This first-time clash on SmackDown turned into a dream match, especially with Mysterio competing in his backyard. This article breaks down every highlight of their encounter, including how Owens managed to pull off a high-stakes victory.

You’ll also find reactions from the viewing audience, updates on the Women’s Division, AEW’s hottest promos, and a glimpse at WWE’s road to the Royal Rumble 2025. If you want all the key moves and bombshell moments from the week in pro wrestling, stick around—there’s plenty to uncover.

Kevin Owens vs. Rey Mysterio on SmackDown

Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio shared the ring on a live episode of SmackDown in San Diego, which made the showdown even more special. Mysterio rarely competes in his hometown, and Owens noted how it was their first one-on-one match. The bout was quick-paced, with both men trading moves, countering each other’s attacks, and keeping the audience glued to the action. After plenty of back-and-forth, Owens finished off Mysterio using the pop-up powerbomb.

Support the Ringside Report Network

“Kevin Owens wins. Good match. Still the WWF champion, Kevin Owens. … The Bret Hart champion, I like to call it.”Dave Simon

Rey Mysterio Vs. Kevin Owens In Thew Ring At Smackdown In San Diego
Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens at Smackdown in San Diego

At one point, Cody Rhodes showed up to prevent a post-match attack. This erupted into a ringside brawl, with referees and officials trying to pull Owens and Cody apart. Royal Rumble 2025 is on everyone’s mind, and tensions between these two are growing. Owens has that winged eagle belt, and Cody wants to challenge him. The contract signing appears set for a future date, and fans anticipate a collision involving bitter words and maybe even flying fists.

Support the Ringside Report Network
DAVIDsTEA

“I’m enjoying Kevin Owens, everything he’s doing. He’s been entertaining.”Dave Simon.

Big Jim, Carmelo Hayes, and More SmackDown Chatter

Another SmackDown angle featured Big Jim and Carmelo Hayes. They battled in a match that seemed to last forever, only to end without a clear result when Toma Tonga and Jacob Fatu interfered. According to our hosts, that lack of a finish frustrated many fans.

“Don’t give me a bunch of wrestling and then have no reason to be watching it in the end. … If you don’t give me a conclusion, I don’t want to watch any of your other stories.”Dave Simon

After Toma Tonga and Jacob Fatu stormed in, Big Jim and Carmelo vanished, leaving the ring to the newcomers. Eventually, LA Knight and Braun Strowman joined the fray, leading to a big pileup that didn’t settle anything. This sequence left many watchers scratching their heads, wondering if the creative team just needed to fill time with extra chaos. While crowd energy spiked during these run-ins, the absence of any closure felt hollow.

“It was just dumb booking. It’s lazy and clearly filler.”Dave Simon.

Naomi and Bianca Belair faced Candice LeRae and Nia Jax in tag team action. Naomi nailed a Bubba Bomb on Candice to secure the victory. There was more side discussion about a mysterious backstage incident involving Jade Cargill. Some insisted Naomi acted shady, but no one could confirm any real evidence. It’s still unknown who might have wronged Jade. Fans remain curious about how that will unfold, especially with Jade’s big star power hovering over SmackDown.

Women’s Division Notes: Bayley vs. Tiffy Time, Charlotte’s Tease

The main event of SmackDown saw Bayley challenging Tiffany (nicknamed “Tiffy Time”). With the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line, the two delivered a lengthy, hard-fought match. Roxanne Perez even showed up at ringside, distracting Bayley for a moment but not altering the outcome. Ultimately, Tiffany’s athleticism and a flashy moonsault helped her retain.

“They had to fix Tiffany’s top on live TV. Under-boob and everything. That was intense.”Dave Simon, reacting to a wardrobe slip.

Meanwhile, a short promo aired featuring Charlotte Flair on a boat. She hinted at a possible Royal Rumble appearance, stirring up excitement for fans of “The Queen.” No one knows for sure if Charlotte will join the Royal Rumble or challenge Tiffany, but many hope to see her back in action soon.

Building Towards the Royal Rumble 2025

Over on Raw, the men’s Royal Rumble scene heated up with several big names throwing their hats in the ring. Roman Reigns, John Cena, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre declared their participation. Rey Mysterio also confirmed on SmackDown. The list is stacked with legends and headliners. Cena is a strong favourite, though Punk has never won a Rumble and could pull off a surprise. Reigns might also steal the spotlight, looking to add another trophy to his loaded collection.

“CM Punk might win. He’s never won a Rumble. He was runner-up last year.”Dave Simon.

Fans are also buzzing about potential cross-promotions with TNA wrestlers popping up in the Rumble. Some rumors suggest the Hardys or Moose might appear as wildcards. However, The general feeling is that TNA’s involvement could be minimal because it doesn’t generate the same hype as AEW or NXT.

Lyra Valkaria’s Moment on Raw

A highlight on Raw featured Lyra Valkaria becoming the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion by beating Dakota Kai. This new belt sets her up as a sort of “workhorse” in the women’s division, similar to how the traditional Intercontinental Championship often signals someone’s rise to stardom. Dakota pushed Lyra to her limits, even taking a suplex from the top rope to the floor. Lyra’s star power shone through despite a few rough moments when she secured the final pin.

“She’s kind of new to WWE, so this is a great starting point for her. Everything before this is going to be forgotten. Now she’s the Intercontinental Champion.”Dave Simon.

Some watchers felt the match’s ending was a touch awkward. But the overall wrestling was crisp, and both wrestlers showed off impressive moves. While Becky Lynch was once expected to square off with Lyra, she’s been missing from live shows. Many predict a dramatic return, possibly at the Royal Rumble. Lyra stands tall as a fresh champion with lots of untapped potential.

AEW Highlights: MJF vs. Jeff Jarrett and More

AEW kept the buzz going with heated promos and storyline twists. One segment stood out above the rest: MJF confronting Jeff Jarrett. MJF didn’t hold back, drilling “Double J” with one insult after another. He blamed Jarrett for sinking past promotions and claimed fans never cared about him.

“He is our scumbag. … He is saying the scummy things that we wouldn’t say to Jeff Jarrett’s face, but he’s willing to say them.”Dave Simon

Jarrett tried to fire back by insulting MJF’s parents and mocking MJF’s fiancée. The entire exchange had plenty of laughs and stinging comments. While some argued Jarrett landed a few decent comebacks, MJF’s verbal jabs were sharper. The ongoing story suggests a possible singles match, but critics wonder if Jeff Jarrett has any real shot at dethroning MJF if a title is ever on the line.

“Just because Jeff Jarrett was best friends with Owen Hart, he thinks he’s owed a grand finale?”Dave Simon, quoting MJF’s jab.

Toni Storm’s Gauntlet and Mariah May’s Commentary

Another big AEW angle came in the women’s division. Toni Storm won a multi-woman gauntlet for a chance to face Mariah May in Australia. The way this was set up gave the live crowd something fresh. The entire “Timeless Toni” persona has folks talking, and the strong crowd reaction shows how entertaining she is. Mariah May sat in on commentary and gave an amusing take on everything happening in the ring.

“What does she eat—babies? She’s so strong!”Mariah May, reacting with a playful tone to the arrival of Megan Bain.

Mariah’s commentary style blends humour and insight, which fans compare to top-level talents who can wrestle and talk. With a forthcoming show in Australia, anticipation grows for Toni Storm’s big homecoming. Many predict the possibility of a classic showdown between Toni and Mariah as a must-watch match.

Jon Moxley A Winner In Cincinnati.
Jon Moxley a winner in Cincinnati.

Moxley’s Title Reign in Cincinnati

Jon Moxley defended the AEW World Championship in his hometown of Cincinnati, facing powerhouse Hobbs. Despite Moxley’s main-event star power, the crowd size fell below expectations, with the event held in a smaller theatre. The match showcased Moxley’s physical style and ended with him choking out Hobbs after some outside interference from Wheeler Yuta.

“They still love Moxley for what he has done in wrestling. People in high power in AEW love that.”Johnny North

Some fans, however, pointed out that Moxley’s hometown wasn’t exactly packed to the rafters. There’s a question about whether Moxley’s presence still sells tickets the way AEW hopes. Meanwhile, Edge (sometimes referred to as “Cope” by fans) ran out for the save, and it looks like he may challenge Moxley for the title soon. People are divided on whether Moxley should drop the belt sooner rather than later, but AEW seems ready to ride this storyline well into the next pay-per-view. Whether it’ll click with fans is up for debate.

Corey Graves Commentary Debate

Even commentators stirred headlines when rumours surfaced that Corey Graves felt slighted about changes on Raw. One audience member jumped in with a comment:

“Angelo says, ‘What do you guys make of Corey Graves being pissed off over not being on SmackDown? Is it SmackDown he’s mad about or Raw? I thought he was mad about Raw.’”Angelo, YouTube channel member.

The hosts felt that Graves might view himself as vital to the brand, but with Pat McAfee as a mainstream draw, management might see other options as more profitable. Nobody’s sure if it’s real frustration or a teasing storyline that might lead to something in the ring. Either way, fans keep an eye on commentary teams because the voices at the table can sometimes shift the show’s tone.

Wwe Royal Rumble 2025 Post Show Thumbnail
Join us Live for the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 post-show

Calls to Watch and Listen

A lot is going on in pro wrestling. From Royal Rumble 2025 buildup—where big names like CM Punk, John Cena, and Roman Reigns are jostling for the next WrestleMania storyline—to AEW’s verbal smackdowns and gauntlet matches, there’s excitement in every corner. If you missed anything or want to hear the hosts’ entire conversation, watch the replay above on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or find the audio podcast below or on your favourite app. You’ll get reactions from the live chat, plenty of banter, and more predictions on who might stand tall in the coming weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Owens vs. Mysterio: This was a great showcase on SmackDown that ended with a furious Kevin Owens victory, plus a Cody Rhodes cameo.
  • Mid-Show Confusion: Big Jim and Carmelo Hayes ended in chaos, with Toma Tonga, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and Braun Strowman all storming in.
  • Women’s Title Scenes: Bayley vs. Tiffany ended with Tiffy Time holding her gold, Lyra Valkaria claimed a new belt on Raw, and Toni Storm earned a shot at Mariah May in AEW.
  • AEW’s Hot Topics: MJF torched Jeff Jarrett in a fiery promo, Jon Moxley carried the world title in a low-attended hometown show, and commentary drama popped up around Corey Graves.
  • Royal Rumble 2025: Major stars declared themselves in, fuelling speculation over who will walk out with a ticket to a headline spot on the next huge stage.

The future is packed with possible title matches, returning legends, and brand-new story arcs. Stick around and watch these stories unfold because wrestlers bring new moves, new feuds, and fresh surprises every week.

Conclusion

With so many moving parts—new champions, classic names returning, and hungry challengers stepping up—pro wrestling fans have no shortage of stories to follow. SmackDown, Raw, and AEW each offered standout moments, from Kevin Owens’s dream match with Rey Mysterio to MJF and Jeff Jarrett trading vicious words. The women’s divisions also sparkled, showing fresh faces and new belts that promise more high-level matches. Royal Rumble 2025 feels like a crucial turning point in the WWE calendar, while AEW continues to spin fresh tales leading to the AEW Revolution.

Whether you’re in it for the star power, the clever promos, or the sheer athletic feats, this moment in pro wrestling packs a punch. Catch our replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or tune in to the podcast version at your favourite audio platform. Get ready for more twists as the road to the Royal Rumble and AEW Revolution continues.