Why Jelly Roll SAVED This Week's Episode Of WWE SmackDown (WWE News)

Generally, our write-up for the 11 July edition of SmackDown was negative. It received just 1 'Up' and a whopping 6 'Downs. Most of the criticism stemmed from matches that failed to really get going in-ring and several other segments that sucked the life out of the flat live crowd in Nashville, Tennessee.

Then, one man came around to save the day: Jelly Roll.

In one of the most unexpected treats of 2025 thus far, Mr. Roll was comfortable in his position as babyface opposite antagonist Logan Paul. Then, when Randy Orton came out to fend off Paul's comments cutting Jelly down as the latest celeb "influencer" coming into wrestling (with a nod and a wink), Drew McIntyre stopped by drop Randy with a Claymore Kick.

Later, Roll told Randy that he'd love to be in his corner for the match with Drew at Saturday Night's Main Event. It looks like this won't be the last WWE fans see of Jelly either, and that isn't a bad thing if this first bit of PLE set up is anything to go by. Again, he was cosy and accomplished when talking on the live mic, and he never once looked out of his depth or element despite sharing the ring with top pros like Randy and Drew.

Jelly Roll's facial expressions were fabulous, and he even looked believable when grabbing Paul by the hair following McIntyre's Claymore Kick on Orton. It remains to be seen whether or not that'll translate well into an actual match, but stranger things have happened.

It's shocking to report, but Jelly's segment was the standout one on this week's episode of SmackDown.

Jelly Roll Expected To Work Tag Match At SummerSlam 2025

Something else is likely to happen involving Roll and Paul at Saturday Night's Main Event on 12 July. Jelly will be around ringside repping Orton, and Logan is likely to poke his nose in just for the hell of it. Don't be surprised if WWE get a viral moment out of this when Roll smacks Paul with a clothesline or some other basic move.

That's really what Triple H and TKO will be chasing here - they want social media interest and numbers, and they'll want that process to continue uninterrupted into SummerSlam on 2-3 August. There, there's a very good chance that Jelly Roll will team with Randy to meet Paul and McIntyre in one of the most surprising tag outings ever.

Those ridiculing this decision making must've forgotten how effective Bad Bunny was when matching up in tags or against Damian Priest at Backlash 2023. That match in Puerto Rico was a shock smash hit, and WWE will go out of their way to protect Jelly Roll in MetLife Stadium. It'll be Logan, Randy and Drew who do most of the heavy lifting, not the singer.

It's important to state that the tag match hasn't been confirmed at time of writing, but it looks like a dead cert for either the Saturday or Sunday nights in New Jersey next month.

Jelly Roll can add, 'Saviour of WWE SmackDown' to his list of achievements. Who honestly saw that one coming?!