Ricky Saints is continuing to look for ways to make problems on SmackDown, and his latest move may have put Fraxiom and Rey Fenix directly in the path of The War Raiders.
In a new WWE digital exclusive released following the September 25 edition of SmackDown, Saints was shown overhearing a conversation involving Fraxiom and AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix. Rather than simply moving on, Saints approached The War Raiders and told Erik and Ivar that Fraxiom had been “running their mouths” about the team losing the AAA Tag Titles.
The accusation immediately created a volatile moment. Saints urged The War Raiders not to let the supposed disrespect go unanswered, clearly attempting to turn the former champions’ recent frustration into a confrontation with Fraxiom. Erik reacted physically, grabbing Saints and slamming him against a door.
That response suggested Saints may have pushed too far. But before the situation escalated further, Ivar made it clear that even if he had little interest in trusting Saints, he understood the underlying issue being raised.
For more background on this topic, read The Undertaker Brings Signature Entrance to Savannah Bananas Game.
“I don’t like this little weasel any more than you do. But he’s got a point. People are talking about us since we lost the AAA Tag Titles. And it’s time we remind them that we’re the most dominant team in the world.”
After Ivar’s statement, Erik released Saints, and The War Raiders walked away. Saints did not need to provoke a fight in that moment to gain something from the interaction. The digital exclusive left the impression that he had successfully planted a seed, particularly as The War Raiders now appear determined to answer the criticism surrounding their title loss.
Saints Identifies an Opening
The footage adds another layer to Saints’ recent issues with Rey Fenix. Their problems have already become personal, with tension stemming from Saints taunting Fenix and speaking about his family. That led to a physical response last week, when Saints was punched amid the escalating conflict.
With that history in mind, Saints’ decision to involve The War Raiders does not appear accidental. He encountered Fenix alongside Fraxiom, then immediately sought out a team with a clear grievance and plenty of reason to feel overlooked after dropping the AAA Tag Titles. It was a calculated attempt to redirect anger toward Fenix and the Fraxiom pairing.
Saints did not present proof that Fraxiom had actually insulted The War Raiders. His approach instead relied on innuendo, timing, and the fact that Erik and Ivar were already facing questions after their championship setback. For a wrestler looking to create division, that was enough to make the situation dangerous.
Erik’s initial reaction also underlined how little patience The War Raiders have for Saints himself. Rather than immediately accepting his version of events, Erik first took out his irritation on Saints. The shove into the door showed that Saints is hardly viewed as a trusted messenger. Still, Ivar’s response made clear that a messenger does not have to be trusted for his words to hit on a real concern.
The War Raiders Have a Point to Prove
The central issue coming out of the segment is not simply whether Fraxiom said anything about the AAA Tag Title loss. It is that The War Raiders believe their status is being questioned.
Ivar openly acknowledged that people have been talking about the team since it lost the championships. His answer was not to dwell on the defeat or argue about the details of Saints’ accusation. Instead, he focused on restoring the team’s standing as “the most dominant team in the world.” That language puts a target on any team that could be perceived as challenging The War Raiders’ place in the division.
Fraxiom may now be an especially convenient target. The pairing has been closely associated with fast-paced, high-level tag team competition, while Rey Fenix’s involvement gives Saints an obvious personal connection to the angle. If The War Raiders decide they need to make an example of someone, Fraxiom and Fenix are suddenly positioned near the center of the conversation.
It is important that the video did not show Fraxiom confronting The War Raiders, nor did it confirm that either member actually disparaged Erik and Ivar. Saints’ claim remains exactly that: a claim made by someone with a reason to inflame matters. But WWE’s presentation strongly suggests that the former champions have heard enough to start considering their next move.
For The War Raiders, the challenge is separating legitimate frustration from manipulation. Saints is openly willing to use a tense environment to his advantage. If Erik and Ivar act solely on the version of events he gave them, they could be walking into a conflict built around misinformation. On the other hand, Ivar’s comments show that the team’s anger is not manufactured. The loss of the AAA Tag Titles has already given them motivation.
Rey Fenix’s Situation Continues to Expand
Rey Fenix is already dealing with Saints on a personal level, but the new video raises the possibility that his issue could spread beyond a one-on-one rivalry. Fenix was part of the discussion Saints overheard, which made him an easy piece of the story Saints delivered to The War Raiders.
That could make Fenix vulnerable to being drawn into a tag team confrontation despite the fact that Saints is the one stirring the pot. Saints may be trying to isolate Fenix, create additional obstacles around him, or simply ensure that Fenix has to divide his attention between multiple threats.
The presence of Fraxiom is equally significant. Saints framed the situation as an insult from the duo, and The War Raiders’ response centered on their need to re-establish dominance. That is the sort of combination that can quickly move from a backstage accusation to an in-ring statement.
Whether Fenix and Fraxiom choose to address the accusation directly remains to be seen. Ignoring it could allow Saints’ version of events to stand in the minds of The War Raiders. Confronting it, however, could create exactly the clash Saints appears to want. The digital exclusive did not provide a resolution, only a clear warning that the tensions are likely to carry forward.
A Dangerous Success for Saints
Saints did not leave the encounter unscathed emotionally or physically. Erik’s reaction showed that he was one wrong word away from being on the receiving end of an even more severe beating. Yet from Saints’ perspective, the gamble still appeared to work.
He got The War Raiders talking about their championship loss. He directed their attention toward Fraxiom and Fenix. And, most importantly, he walked away after Ivar publicly declared that the team intends to remind everyone of its dominance. That declaration gives Saints exactly the kind of unrest he seemed to be seeking.
There is also a notable contrast in the way Saints has approached his recent conflicts. His issues with Fenix have involved personal provocation, including comments about Fenix’s family. With The War Raiders, Saints used a different tactic: exploiting professional pride. He understood that Erik and Ivar did not need much convincing that their standing had been damaged after losing the AAA Tag Titles.
That makes Saints a complicating factor even if he is not positioned as a formal ally of either side. He does not need The War Raiders to trust him. He only needs them to react to the possibility that Fraxiom has disrespected them. Ivar’s words indicate that the reaction may already be underway.
What Comes Next on SmackDown?
The digital exclusive leaves several unresolved questions for SmackDown. Will The War Raiders confront Fraxiom over Saints’ allegation? Will Rey Fenix respond to being placed in the middle of another of Saints’ schemes? And will Saints ultimately have to answer for attempting to manufacture conflict between multiple competitors?
For now, Saints has created uncertainty around a team already motivated by the loss of the AAA Tag Titles. Erik and Ivar may not like him, and Ivar made that point plainly, but their focus has shifted toward proving themselves again. That is enough for the situation to become potentially explosive.
Fraxiom and Fenix have not been shown giving their side of the story, leaving Saints’ accusation unverified. Still, in wrestling, perception can be just as consequential as a direct confrontation. The War Raiders believe people are talking about them, and Saints has given them names to associate with that perceived disrespect.
What began as Saints overhearing a backstage conversation has developed into a possible collision involving Rey Fenix, Fraxiom, and a former champion team eager to reclaim its aura. Saints may have been dismissed as a “little weasel” by Ivar, but he has managed to make himself relevant to a situation that could soon demand an in-ring answer.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.