Salt Lake City, UT. – It’s a balmy 60 degrees as I head to the Delta Center for World Wrestling Entertainment, presenting their WWE SmackDown brand. Having lived in Utah all my life, I can count the number of times WWE has graced their presence along the Wasatch Front versus the times we have been an afterthought compared to other wrestling towns. The fact that the they are doing this not just tonight, but tomorrow for Saturday Night’s Main Event is a big boon
As I headed downtown via TRAX (Utah’s Transit system), I was curious what I would find this time around. I did notice a few fans in their wrestling wear, like a nice Stone Cold Tee, or a few championship belts. Since this was a Halloweeen themed night, some fans went into costumes like The Undertaker, or even some friends I saw dressed as Paul Heyman (bald spot and all.) But I defy anyone to beat out a man decked out as Doink the Clown.
While I missed the WWE Main Event heading into the arena (oh, shucks), I did get to see a Mascot Match between The University of Utah’s own Swoop hawk and the University of Cincinnati’s Bearcat. Obviously, this match was done for the hometown crowd in anticipation of the college game Saturday.
With that, allow me a quick…
(Author’s Note: If you live in the Salt Lake area, there are two types of fans: those to love the University of Utah Runnin’ Utes, and those who hate Brigham Young University. Yeah, I said it! I will even venture to say we are not fans of any feral feline from any football team. Now say that three times fast.)
In any case, Swoop won handily to the delight of the Delta Center.
Another thing that was telling about this night is that the Delta Center, which typically houses 15,000 fans easily, was at half capacity. No doubt, this is probably because more fans will be attending the Saturday Night Main Event show. There was even a point when WWE showed a Tribute to the Troops, and chants of “USA” were noticeably piped through the speaker system once most fans stopped midway. Oh, and Utahns in attendance were definitely not keen on Riyadh Season, and they made sure to express their views on that matter vocally.
I spoke to a guy next to me who said his seat was upgraded to near the ring, stating he paid $89 USD for a seat up near the midlevels. My friend John, who once joined me, said on my social media platform, “They did the impossible; they priced me out. $50 to be a couple of rows from the ceiling? Nah, I’ll watch from home.”
As for the entire show, I will say this. It was slower-paced, but I’ve always been a big proponent of the idea that for wrestling, less is more. There is simply no need to cram every single body into every single match.
*cough*AEW*cough*
While I won’t get into the minutiae of the matches, these were the things that stood out to me:
- As Ilja Dragunov entered the ring to face Nathan Frazer, there were at least five minutes of ads and a backstage segment with Solo Sikoa and the Motor City Machine Guns setting the stage for the main event. I mean, my gods. Can I have a few minutes without commercials before a match starts? Jesus Marimba!
- The United States Open Match had a bit of a Japanese reaction from fans, which was a slow burn that turned red hot near the end, prompting fans to chant, “This is Awe-some!”
- There was even a small “Let’s go Fray-zer” chant, so the other half of Fraxiom may be on to bigger things down the road.
- As Dragunov won, heading into (sigh!) another commercial, Ciampa attacked Frazer, and Axion came to his defense, and Johnny Gargano jumped into the fray, with Dragunov trying to be a peacemaker of sorts
- Kit Wilson’s entrance has the crowd go mild, and that is a good time for a beer.
- Side note: A domestic beer at the Delta Center costs $14 USD, which is precisely why I am a steadfast proponent of pre-gaming.
- Side note to the side note: Don’t pregame too much that you become a “Professor Pregame” where what you say things that may sound intelligent, but it’s not. Conversely, if you must do post-game drinking, make sure you don’t wind up a “Post Game Malone.” This has been a Lucid Luchador PSA.
- Heading to Alexa Bliss versus Nia Jax, I could not help but wonder with the fans booing, “What is the equivalent of ‘X-PAC Heat? Is it ‘Jax-PAC’ heat?” No matter your disposition, give credit where it’s due, ’cause Jax can work the crowd.
- During one of the commercial breaks, there were Signs of the Night, and two of my favorites were: “The American Nightmare in SL, UT!” and “Trick or YEET!” Gods bless Utah fans!
- Once the contract signing was done, Cody Rhodes was able to give a birthday message for WWE cameraman “Stew.” Stew got a special message from John Cena wishing him a happy birthday, along with Rhodes putting the Undisputed title around his waist as he basked in the birthday cheers.
That led to a bonus match after SmackDown ended, and it was a…
Trick or Treat Street Fight: L.A. Knight vs Solo Sikoa
This match had skeletons, spiders, and pumpkins surrounding the ring (oh my!). For his part, Sikoa was wrestling in his black turtleneck and gold chain, which prompted me to think that all he is these days is “Rocky Temu-via,” but without the leather fanny pack.
In any case, Knight bopped Sikoa on the head with a plastic skull, and then there were Candy Corn Kendo Sticks abound (again, say that three times fast). The fans got antsy, chanting, “We want Pump-kins!” Knight sends Sikoa to a chair in the corner, and grabs a pumpkin, but Sikoa blocks his squash.
Before I go on, allow me another…
(Author’s Note: Why did that last sentence sound dirtier than I meant it to be?)
In any case, Knight delivers a BFT to Sikoa onto a pumpkin for the one, two, and three.
Your Winner: L.A. Knight YeAHH!!
After the match, Knight gets on the stick and thanks the fans, and even acknowledges someone with an “L.A. Knight, will you marry me?” sign. Simply put, Knight is down with that, and all the fans are invited to party on for this Halloween, as tomorrow is his birthday, as we close out this moment in the Delta Center for another WWE moment yet to come on Saturday.
YeAHH!
Top Photo: WWE SmackDown in Salt Lake City, on October 31st, 2025. Photo Credit: Tommy “Milagro” Martinez
