Tag: wwe smackdown live results - Page 2

WWE SmackDown live results: Aleister Black’s in-ring return

Posted on May 2, 2025May 2, 2025 by Colin McGuire

Just over a week away from his Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at Backlash, Randy Orton is set to appear on tonight’s SmackDown at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Orton and Cena went face-to-face last week. During that segment, Orton hit the champion with an RKO to lay him out. Their match at Backlash could be the last time the two familiar rivals ever face each other with Cena set to retire in December.

Also tonight, Aleister Black will have his first match back in WWE after not being in the company for five years. He’s facing off against The Miz, which was set up last week when Miz offered up an impromptu promo inside the ring and the lights went out, setting the scene for Black’s return. Black then hit The Miz with a Black Mass.

LA Knight vs. Damian Priest has also been confirmed for tonight. Plus, Nia Jax will make an appearance.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Damian Priest, The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were shown walking backstage. Priest ran into Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu and confronted them. A yelling match ensued as LA Knight walked past them all and made his way to the ring.

The LA Knight/Damian Priest segment

Knight cut a promo in the ring and noted how he said last week that he wanted a rematch for his U.S. title. Knight voiced his displeasure for having to have a No. 1 contender’s match. Knight said the match didn’t go his way because Solo Sikoa interfered and Jacob Fatu jumped around everywhere. Knight then moved his attention to Damian Priest. On cue, Priest’s music hit and Priest made his entrance with a certain level of purpose.

Priest told Knight they didn’t have a problem and last week, everything he did was about Drew McIntyre. Priest noted how McIntyre mentioned Priest’s family and he couldn’t let McIntyre get away with that. Knight said Priest picked the wrong time to get back at McIntyre because the only reason the bell rang on his match was Priest. Priest said he saved Knight from taking a pin. Knight told Priest to not put Priest’s loss at WreslteMania on Knight. Priest responded by saying the only reason things happened the way they did is because Knight lost his title at Mania.

Knight admitted to losing and said he wants to fight his way back into the title picture and the reason he’s not champion this week is because of Priest. Priest said all of Knight’s frustrations are because of Knight. Knight reminded Priest that they don’t have a problem and if that’s the case, Priest needed to stop talking. Priest said even though their match is set for later tonight, they should just fight right now and asked Knight if that’s what he wanted. Knight, of course, said, “Yeah!” A referee ran to the ring and before the match began, the show went to a commercial break.

This was fine, if not a little rushed. Knight usually takes more time milking his catchphrases and Priest usually takes more time milking the spaces in between. On top of that, the promo ended before it was 10 minutes past the hour and I can’t recall a SmackDown going to commercial this early in the show in recent memory. Anyway, it was everything one would expect from both guys. God bless Knight. These crowds are still into him, even if the booking minds behind the scenes aren’t.

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LA Knight vs. Damian Priest

The match was joined in progress with Knight on top, working Priest with a series of strikes, before Priest fought back and slammed Knight. Priest then kicked Knight in the chin and got a two-count out of it. Priest set up for Old School, but Knight pulled Priest off the top and landed a back suplex. Knight followed up with a bunch of punches and a flying clothesline. Knight added a jumping neck-breaker and a Russian Leg Sweep to all of that for a two-count.

Priest punched Knight, but Knight then slammed Priest. Knight went for an elbow drop, but Priest caught him and tried to set up a South Of Heaven. Knight worked out of it and Priest clotheslined the hell out of Knight for a near fall. Priest lifted Knight for a Razor’s Edge, but Knight got out of it and DDT’d Priest. Knight went to the second rope and hit his jump-up elbow from the top for a two-count. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and “This is awesome!” chants rang through the arena. Knight set up Priest for a super-plex, but Knight stopped him and the two battled on the second rope. Eventually, Priest stepped off the rope and onto the apron and kicked Knight. Priest then lifted Knight for a Razor’s Edge inside the ring, executed it, and Knight barely kicked out before three. “LA Knight!” chants began in the crowd. Priest went for South Of Heaven, but Knight countered … only for Priest to hit a Broken Arrow.

Priest went to the top rope, but Knight leapt up and hit a mega-plex for a nice near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants kicked up again. Knight clotheslined Priest over the top and to the outside. Knight went for his dropkick through the ropes, but Priest caught Knight and hit a Flatliner off the apron. Solo Sikoa then showed up and attacked Priest and the referee called for the bell.

Match result: LA Knight fought Damian Priest to a no contest (11:03 of TV time)

Sikoa turned his attention to Knight and set up for a Samoan Spike on Knight, but Priest punched Sikoa and Knight BFT’d Sikoa. Priest and Knight stared at each other and Priest cleared off the announce desk. Knight rolled Sikoa to the outside and Priest was going to hit South Of Heaven on Sikoa, but Fatu showed up and landed a Samoan Drop on Knight onto the announce desk after taking our Priest with a dive through the ropes. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Priest into the crowd barrier. Fatu posed on the ring steps with his U.S. title and the crowd cheered.

Priest and Knight felt like they had something to prove here. It was a welcome surprise. Both guys have settled into matches that have little more than them playing their biggest hits – a Razor’s Edge here, a step-up flying elbow there – and while this match featured all those things, there was a weird sense of urgency to all of it. So much so, that you have to wonder if they were determined to prove their in-ring worth here. It was dynamic. They completely had the live crowd. And they brought a dose of intensity that we don’t often see on SmackDown anymore. A tip of the cap goes to both guys for that. The finish felt predictable – let me guess … this leads to a tag match for later in the show – but as for this, it was one of the better TV matches from both guys in a long time. Good for them.

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– Byron Saxton interviewed Fraxiom backstage. Frazer said they were excited and they plan on flipping the SmackDown tag division upside down. Pretty Deadly walked into the scene and Saxton left. Wilson told them the SmackDown tag division is the hungriest tag division. Prince said he enjoyed having new European blood on SmackDown and followed that up by saying opportunities on SmackDown are earned and not given. The duo said they wanted to see how good Faxiom actually was and talked to Nick Aldis as a means to book a match. Pretty Deadly’s music hit back in the arena and they made their entrance.

– Michael Bisping was shown in the crowd and he stood up to throw some punches in the air.

Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)

Wilson and Axiom began the match, but it wasn’t long before Frazer tagged in and ran the ropes awfully quickly and kicked Wilson. Frazer worked Wilson’s arm briefly and threw him into a corner, but Wilson walked out and kicked Frazer in the head. Prince tagged in and beat Frazer down. Frazer came back with an enziguri. Axiom tagged in and things broke down, complete with a repeated pair of dives onto the heels between the ropes.

Back inside the ring, Axiom went to work on Prince’s back. Axiom went to the top, but Prince caught Axiom during a cross-body attempt. Prince threw Axiom down into Wilson’s legs and Pretty Deadly posed as the show went to a commercial break about three-and-a-half minutes into the match.

The show returned and Axiom was chopping Wilson. Ultimately, Frazer received the hot tag and hit a dropkick on both Wilson and Prince. Frazer landed a springboard until a DDT and a running Shooting Star Press. The referee essentially counted to three but Prince didn’t kick out and it was an awkward moment. Prince’s mouth was quite bloody after all of this. Pretty Deadly took control back and Wilson tagged in. As such, Wilson powerbombed Frazer for a two-count. Wilson and Frazer traded elbows until Frazer placed Wilson on the top rope. Axiom hit a Spanish Fly and Frazer followed up with a Phoenix Splash for the win.

Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) (9:29)

My heart goes out to Elton Prince’s teeth. That fella’s face came up awfully bloody after he missed the kickout spot. Jacob Fatu talks about all gas, no breaks, but damn if Nathan Frazer doesn’t live that lifestyle in the ring, too. Stuff like that is going to happen every now and then when the guy only knows one speed and it’s 150 MPH. The match itself was the standard Fraxiom fare. Lots of speed. Lots of flash. A lot of fun. I’m not complaining. And Pretty Deadly had a good outing, too, proving they can work with any style of team WWE might throw at them. Prince’s face might not approve, but this turned out well.

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– B-Fab and Michin were shown talking to Nick Aldis in Aldis’s office, but Chelsea Green showed up with Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. The trio was dressed in black and Green said last week’s loss was because of collusion. Niven called Green an American hero, which was funny. Aldis tried to walk away, but Green bargained with Aldis for a rematch. Instead, Aldis said Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven tonight. Aldis said if Niven wins, she’ll be the No. 1 contender for Vega’s U.S. title. Green almost fainted.

– A video package chronicling the history between John Cena and Randy Orton aired.

The Nia Jax/Tiffany Stratton/Naomi/Jade Cargill segment

Jax stood in the middle of the ring and soaked in boos. She said it sounded like everyone missed her and the crowd booed louder. Jax said she was happy she was back, but while she was gone, she was at home getting refocused and she regrouped so she could come back and take what’s her’s – the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and Stratton walked out with a microphone in hand. Stratton said she wasn’t the same Stratton that Jax used to bully around. Stratton said went toe to toe with one of the greatest of all time, Charlotte Flair. Stratton said if her and Jax ever locked up again, Stratton would be Jax, too.

Jax asked if Stratton was offering a rematch. Stratton said she wouldn’t ever shy away from a fight and she would defend her title against Jax anytime, anywhere. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi walked out with a microphone. Naomi spoke in the entranceway and said it was funny to see Stratton and Jaxx fighting because she remembered when she tried to take the title from Jax, Stratton always found a way to help out Jax. Naomi questioned whether Stratton actually changed and said she didn’t; in fact, Naomi said Naomi was the only one to really change. Naomi said Jade Cargill ruined everything she has worked for, but even so, she’s not done going after gold.

Jade Cargill’s music hit and Cargill walked with purpose towards Naomi, who rolled into the ring. All four women brawled in the ring. Cargill clotheslined Naomi over the top and to the outside and Stratton disposed of Jax to the outside as well. Cargill and Stratton circled each other and Aldis walked out to make a tag team match, which, it appears, will happen later in the show.

Man, Naomi is so great in this role. That needs to be said. Now, with that said, I can’t say I’m particularly excited for another Jax/Stratton program, but it kind of/sort of feels like WWE is going with this to reset Stratton back on a reliable path after the chaotic business with Charlotte. I’m still a little baffled that Naomi and Cargill is still a thing, but perhaps it will one day lead to a hell of a blow-off match. Wade Barrett mentioned how the tag match might be the main event now, and I hope it is. Give them 20 minutes and let’s see what happens. It could be very good.

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– Tessitore set up highlights of last week’s Miz/Black situation. Melo was hyping up Miz backstage and told Miz he’d show everyone tonight. Miz rambled about how he deserves more respect than he receives. Miz said Black didn’t knock him out last week; he woke Miz up. Miz said Black might want to make a statement, but instead, Black will be part of Miz’s statement. At one point, it looked like Miz forgot his line, but he recovered nicely.

Aleister Black vs. The Miz

Miz ran at Black to start the match and nearly ran into a Black Mass, but Miz retreated. The two went back and forth until Black caught Miz as Miz went for a kick. Black placed Miz’s foot back on the canvas and Miz hit Black. Before long, Black did the springboard moonsault into his sitting position spot. Miz was on the outside and Black reached for Miz, but was distracted by Melo. Miz capitalized and slammed Black’s head into the bottom-ring LED board. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and The Miz was posing as people booed. Miz went for a springboard move, but Black moved. Eventually, Miz pushed Black to the outside. Miz leapt at Black from the ring steps and landed on a knee from Black. Back in the ring, Black went to work on Miz, complete with body strikes and a springboard moonsault for a very close near-fall. Miz came back and kicked Black’s knee before hitting a DDT for a two-count.

Miz hit some Miz Kicks and Black laughed. Black followed up with a spinning elbow and a knee to the jaw of Miz. Miz came right back and went for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Black cartwheeled out of it, much to the delight of the live crowd. Black followed up with a tough knee to Miz’s face. Melo threatened to get involved and Miz rolled up Black to no avail. From there, it was Black Mass and the end.

Match result: Aleister Black defeated The Miz (9:28)

After the match, Melo and Black went face to face in the middle of the ring. Melo slowly exited the ring and walked away as Black sat in the center of the ring.

This was probably more competitive than it should have been, even if about three minutes were lost to commercials. Still, Black got in a lot of really good-looking offense while … weirdly … Miz didn’t concern himself with selling for all that long each time he took some of it. It’s almost as if Black brought some of AEW back to WWE with him. I kid. This was obviously always more about setting Black up with Melo, and that should be a very good match. In the meantime, Miz did his best to hang and he didn’t fail. Don’t get me wrong. This is a no-hate-Miz zone, but his best days are behind him. As such, kudos to him for helping reintroduce Black to the WWE fan base.

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– Santos Escobar was talking with Rey Fenix in the locker room. Escobar said Fenix disappointed him at WrestleMania because he lost to a clown. Escobar said Fenix blew his chance and now that Rey Mysterio is out with an injury, Escobar wants to take his place. Fenix cut Escobar off and told him to stay out of his business. Fenix said there is only one lunchador that he trusts and it’s not Escobar. Fenix said if Escobar had a problem, he’d see him in the ring later tonight.

– Dion Dawkins from the Buffalo Bills was shown in the crowd. He appeared to be very happy.

Zelina Vega vs. Piper Niven

Vega had control early and stretched Niven, who eventually went for a splash and missed. From there, Vega repeatedly kicked Niven. Vega hit a knee on Niven and got a one-count out of it. Vega ran at Niven, but Niven shoulder-blocked Vega to the canvas. Vegan rolled to the outside and then rolled back inside, where Niven lifted Vega to no avail. The two struggled before Niven planted Vega face-first. Niven rammed Vega’s head into the bottom turnbuckle. With Niven in control, the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Niven still had control, spinning Vega around in circles. Niven lifted Vegan, but Vega countered with somewhat of a Codebreaker. Niven came right back with a slam and a running Senton for a two-count. Niven ran at Vega, but Vega moved and went to the top, where Niven slapped Vega. Niven went for a super-plex, but Vega worked out of it and hit a Meteora on Niven for a two-count. Vega tried a Code Red, but Niven stopped it and landed a side-slam.

Niven ran at Vega and Vega moved. Niven lifted Vega, but it all resulted on a DDT from Vega. From there, Vega went to the top and hit a moonsault from the top rope for a nice near-fall. Vega went for a Code Red again, but Niven wouldn’t allow it. Niven tried a powerbomb, but that turned into Vega setting up a 618 situation. Chelsea Green hopped on the apron to stop Vega and Niven ran at Vega, but Vega moved and Niven ran into Green. From there, Vega rolled up Niven for the pin.

Match result: Zelina Vega defeated Piper Niven (11:07)

This was a better match than any of Vega’s outings with Green in previous weeks. Niven worked her powerhouse offense style and Vega broke out some things we haven’t seen from her recently. This exceeded expectations and both wrestlers came out of this looking better than they did going in. Good for Vega, too, because the live crowd seemed to be behind her for the first time in a while. Here’s hoping that momentum continues because it doesn’t look like she’s going to stop working with Green and her crew any time soon.

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– Aldis was speaking to Sikoa and Fatu in Aldis’s office. Sikoa said that Fatu was telling everyone they better stay out of his way. Aldis said at Backlash, Fatu will defend his U.S. title against Priest and Knight. Sikoa said McIntyre is technically the No. 1 contender after last week. Aldis said Sikoa was right and because of as much, McIntyre will be added to the match and it will be a fatal four-way. Fatu said he’s all gas and no breaks and he was fine with it (in so many words). Sikoa said Aldis was trying to screw Fatu over, but Aldis told Sikoa it was actually Sikoa who was screwing over Fatu.

The Randy Orton segment

Orton said he knew they were already two hours into the show (by God), but “Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!” The crowd cheered. Orton simply said “John Cena” and the crowd booed. Orton said while the world couldn’t see Cena, Orton could. Orton said it took about 20 years for everyone to realize what kind of man Cena is, but Orton knew from day one. “Cena sucks!” chants began. Orton called Cena entitled and said Cena he is the ultimate shiny new toy to be played with by the ultimate puppet master. Orton said Cena took advantage of the PG Era. Orton said Cena was willing to be a real life, walking, talking cartoon character. Meanwhile, Orton said, Orton was true to who he was.

Orton said Cena didn’t care about the boys in the back or the fans; all Cena cared about is his bottom line. Orton said Cena only cares about the new merch Cena puts out all the time because all the kids always go and grab it up. The crowd booed in response to this. Orton brought up the kids thing again and said the only thing Cena has raised is the price of his merchandise, which parents have had to work “a double to afford.” Orton said Cena has been selling his soul for 20 years.

Orton asked what happened to loyalty and respect when it comes to Cena. Orton recalled how Cena said he’d erase the Orton name from the pro wrestling business. Orton fired up and said Cena will not do that, over his “dead freakin’ body.” Orton said Cena is the latest legend that he will have to put down and he will do so at Backlash in his hometown in front of his wife, friends and family. Orton said he will punt Cena so hard in “that lego-shaped head,” that it will fly through the Gateway Arch. Orton said he will also drop Cena with an RKO and dropped the microphone and Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

The crowd couldn’t seem to figure out what it wanted to do here. So much so that it almost made me wonder if Cena was actually there, perhaps they would have landed more on Cena’s side than they would have Orton’s. Either way, this was the best it could be, considering how they only had one side of the PLE main event in the live house. Orton’s comments on Cena’s merch sparked a few thoughts in me, though. He wasn’t wrong, really, per se. But if those writers and all those executives know that they have overpriced merchandise that really does require some parents to work overtime to afford for their kids … I’m not so sure that’s a great look. Maybe it caught me at a sensitive time and I’m overreacting, but there were a lot of things off of which Orton could have played. Reminding everyone that WWE preys off its fanbase by raising merchandise prices (and, not to mention, those insane PLE ticket prices) probably wasn’t the most tactful way to go. So it goes. We march on to next Saturday.

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– Naomi was in her locker room and Nia Jax walked in. Jax said they need to be on the same page, so as long as whatever Naomi stays out of Jax’s way, they’ll be good. Naomi simply said, “Sure,” and walked away.

– Orton was shown walking backstage and ran into R-Truth. Truth said Orton has no chance at Backlash. Jimmy Uso stepped in and told Orton not to be too mad about Truth’s prediction. Jimmy told Truth if he keeps talking like this, Orton will kick Truth’s head off. Jimmy told Truth he needed to stop believing in Cena as Truth walked away.

Santos Escobar vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix got the crowd behind him before the two began the match in earnest by locking up. Escobar took Fenix down briefly, but Fenix worked his way back. The two reset the match and Fenix chopped Escobar. Escobar returned the favor and they traded chest chops back and forth until Fenix went to the ground. Escobar yelled at Fenix that they could rule the place together and Fenix responded with a tough chop to Escobar’s chest. Fenix pushed Escobar to the canvas.

Fenix set up for his double springboard arm-drag, but Escobar cut him off. Escobar ran at Fenix, but Fenix moved and Escobar spilled to the outside. Fenix followed Escobar and Escobar eventually ran Fenix into the side of the ring. Escobar returned to the ring and hit a dive through the top two ropes onto Fenix on the outside. Escobar celebrated a bit and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Escobar had the upper hand, complete with a splash onto Fenix from the apron into the ring. Escobar stretched Fenix. Escobar leapt at Fenix in a corner and Fenix moved. From there, Fenix hit a wild springboard top-rope moonsault for a two-count. Fenix followed up with a spinning kick for another two-count. Fenix took a knee from Escobar, but popped right back up and kicked Escobar. Both guys were down to reset the match at about the 10-and-a-half minute mark.

Fenix jumped at Escobar, but Escobar caught Fenix and the two fought in a corner until Fenix came off the top and landed on Escobar’s knee. Escobar followed up with a double-knees in the corner. Escobar lifted Fenix, but Fenix worked his way out it and ran the top rope to kick Escobar’s head. From there, Fenix hit the top rope Meteora on Escobar and got the pinfall victory.

Match result: Rey Fenix defeated Santos Escobar (12:25)

This was pretty good. WWE has done a good job introducing Rey Fenix and Penta into the fold and Penta and Fenix have done a good job melding themselves into the WWE landscape/style. Considering how I can’t even remember the last time we saw a Santos Escobar singles match on WWE TV, it seems like others are benefiting from the Lucha Bros’ arrival as well. It’d be nice to see Fenix elevated into some type of title picture, rather than feud with a faction leader who doesn’t even really seem to have a faction these days, but patience is key. Also of note: I’m kind of finding myself falling in love with these tiny stylistic touches Fenix’s matches continue to display, a la the no-sell quick pop-up super-kick here. You see it 5,000 times on any given AEW television show; when it happens on WWE TV, you almost want to smile because it comes across as a delightful surprise.

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– Stratton and Cargill were talking backstage and Saxton walked in. Stratton said Jax will have to learn that Jax will have to learn that her title belongs around Stratton. Cargill said she is focusing on Naomi, but next week on SmackDown, Cargill will take on Jax in a No. 1 Contender’s match for Tiffy’s title.

– A video package recapping last week’s fantastic TLC match aired.

– Escobar was shown backstage yelling at Berto and Angel. Andrade walked into the picture and said he knows Escobar doesn’t care about Los Garza. Andrade said he doesn’t like Escobar and siad Escobar doesn’t have respect from Los Garza. Angel was taken away via Escobar, but Berto stayed behind and shared a moment with Andrade before he was whisked away by Escobar.

– Next week, John Cena will be on the show. Knight and Priest will team up to face Fatu and Sikoa. Plus, don’t forget, Cargill and Jax will wrestle to determine the No. 1 Contender for Tiffy’s title.

Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill vs. Naomi & Nia Jax

The heels jumpstarted the match and all four women brawled, Tiffy splitting off with Jax and Cargill splitting off with Naomi. Tiffy ran Jax into the ring steps. Jax ran Tiffy into the crowd barrier. Inside the ring, Cargill threw Naomi to the outside. Cargill ran Naomi into a ring post and rolled Naomi back into the ring. Naomi kicked Cargill in the midsection. Naomi worked Cargill’s arm and used the vaunted back-rake. Naomi kicked Cargill in the back and jawed at Cargill. Jax tagged herself in and bulldozed Cargill before knocking Tiffy off the apron. Jax mocked Cargill’s pose in the middle of the ring and the show went to its final commercial break of the night.

The show returned and Jax knocked Stratton off the apron again. Cargill lifted Jax for a bodyslam, but collapsed. Jax got up and tagged in Naomi, who beat Cargill down. Naomi tried to tag in Jax, but Cargill stopped her and planted her. Jax eventually tagged in, but Cargill kicked Jax away and tagged Tiffy into the match. Tiffy put a knee to Jax’s forehead and landed her gymnastics corner spot. Stratton countered a Samoan Drop into a pin attempt for a two-count.

Stratton went to the top, but Jax cut her off and hit a Samoan Drop. Naomi tagged herself in after Jax hit a leg drop on Stratton. Naomi and Jax argued and Naomi set up for the split-legged moonsault, but Tiffy got her knees up. Tiffy tagged in Cargill, who worked over Naomi. Cargill grabbed Naomi by the throat and chokeslammed her, but Jax broke up the pin attempt. Jax dragged Naomi to the corner and tagged in. Jax worked over Cargill, but Tiffy broke things up with a Swanton on Jax.

Naomi reinserted herself and Tiffy and Naomi brawled in a corner. Jax squashed Tiffy and Naomi and pushed them both out of the ring. Jax then hit a splash on Cargill in a corner. Jax set up for her finisher, but Cargill hopped up and hit a powerbomb on Jax, ultimately getting the pinfall victory for her team.

Match result: Tiffany Stratton & Jade Cargill defeated Nia Jax & Naomi (11:30)

After the match, the ref tried to give Tiffy her title, but Cargill intercepted it and held it for a quick second. The two then pulled at the title and Naomi attacked Cargill from behind. Naomi then held up Tiffy’s title as the babyfaces sold pain. Naomi posing ended the show.

This was a fun tag that had a lot of fire and chaos in a good way. While I could use a freshening up of programs for all four women involved, they did a good job here of making me interested in what they had going on, which can only lead to good things going forward for this viewer, at least. Cargill getting the win off a powerbomb that now seems to be a pretty routine spot for most Jax matches was mildly surprising, but then again, it is Jade Cargill, so perhaps that powerbomb is supposed to pack more punch. It also has me thinking Jax wins the No. 1 Contender’s match next week, which is a little disappointing, but we’ll see. At the end of the day, this was good work from everyone involved and a solid way to end a show that was probably a lot better than anyone thought it might be. The bar might be low these days, but the bar, don’t forget, is the bar.

WWE SmackDown live results: Tag Team title TLC match, John Cena appears

Posted on April 25, 2025April 26, 2025 by Colin McGuire

New Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena is set to appear on tonight’s WrestleMania fallout edition of SmackDown in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in the WrestleMania 41 night two main event to win the title. Since then, Cena showed up on Monday’s Raw after WrestleMania, where he was the victim of an RKO from Randy Orton.

Also tonight, the WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line in a TLC match as The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defend their titles against DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) and Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley). All three teams have held the titles in recent months and the match was made official last week after Gargano & Ciampa interfered in a title match between the Profits and Machine Guns.

The Women’s United States Championship will be on the line tonight as well as Chelsea Green is set to defend her belt against Zelina Vega. The two met last Friday with Vega coming away with a pinfall victory.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show while shots of Texas aired. Participants in the upcoming tag title TLC match were shown walking backstage. Ditto for Jacob Fatu and Tiffany Stratton. A video package recapping WrestleMania week was then shown. After that, John Cena’s music hit inside the arena and Cena made his entrance.

The John Cena/Randy Orton segment

This felt a tiny bit more focused than Cena’s work with Cody, but it’s still so much of the same to me. The fans are abusive, manipulative. It’s an untenable relationship. Blah. And blah. It’s so repetitive now that in some ways, I’m almost finding more entertainment in it because it’s so over the top, it’s kind of/sort of funny. Orton was better than Cody in that Orton at least initially tried to talk sense into Cena rather than browbeat him for beating him up previously. Plus, Orton is better at chuckling at things in a real way as when Cody smirks, he just looks unintentionally smug. But the two showed good fire by the time it all wrapped up (no one told me the first half hour this week was commercial free?!). The family stuff was mildly fun and I suspect Orton’s family will play a role in the match at Backlash, even if it only leads to heartbreak. The segment overstayed its welcome to this viewer, but this was a step forward for Cena.

Cena held up his title to cheers from the live crowd. He then did the same bit he did on Monday, calling ring announcer Mark Nash into the ring, giving him a piece of paper to read and telling him to read it while the crowd went nuts with “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants. Nash said he apologized for being disrespectful and reintroduced Cena as the Greatest Of All Time, among other things, and as Nash yelled Cena’s name, most of the crowd cheered with approval.

As soon as Cena raised the microphone to speak, Randy Orton’s music played and Orton walked out through the entranceway. Orton milked the entrance for all it was worth and was given a microphone once inside the ring. “Randy!” chants broke out. The crowd was hot for both wrestlers. Orton said in a couple months, it will be 25 years to the day he and Cena first shook hands. Orton said he’s known Cena for 25 years and up until a few months ago, Cena had never changed. Orton recalled how Hustle, Loyalty and Respect was Cena’s mantra for every day of his life.

Orton said there is a void in Cena and he had been thinking about all the fans and kids that looked up to Cena for so long. Orton said Cena generations and generations of kids looked up to Cena and that should mean something to Cena. Orton referenced Cena’s history with the Make A Wish Foundation. Orton said Cena couldn’t tell him that all those children were just a number and as such, Orton has figured out how to fill Cena’s void: Cena needs to have kids.

Orton said Cena needs to become a father and grow up because it will make Cena a better human being. Cena smirked and slowly responded with a dire, “How dare you?” Cena asked Orton how he could parent-shame him in front of the whole world. Cena, “Congratulations, Randy Orton. You have children and you love them. Good for you.” Cena said the real reason he doesn’t have kids is because he’s spent the last 25 years “raising yours,” which meant the crowd. Cena said the real truth is that for the last 25 years, he has been a better parent to everyone’s children than the parents ever could be. Cena pointed out how a six year old in the crowd gave him the finger and called it classy, which was funny.

Cena said he had been policing brats like that kid for a quarter of a century. Cena told the kid to never bring a knife to a gunfight. Cena followed that up with “I bet your loser dad didn’t teach you that one.” Orton interjected and said the fans are the reason Cena is in the ring and the reason Cena made it to Hollywood. Orton said without the WWE Universe, there would be no WWE and the fans are the biggest reason Cena is still around. Orton said he’s made a lot of mistakes throughout his career, but he can go in the locker room and hold his head up high because he gets respect from his peers. Orton said he’s “here to stay” while Cena is “just a guest.”

Cena said he used to believe Orton’s perspective in that without the fans there would be no WWE. He said he used to think everyone won together, but wasn’t everyone; it was only Cena who won. Cena referenced the “Let’s Go Cena/Cena sucks” chant and the crowd, on cue, launched into another round of it. Cena called everyone hypocrites. Cena said once they get tired of Cena, they can put their energy into any other superstar, but if the roles are reversed, he’s labeled an outcast. Because of all this, Cena said his relationship with the fans is not functional. Cena said fans are manipulating the truth and called out someone else in the crowd for dressing like Jack Black. Cena said he is labeled as an outcast and guest for simply trying to do something different.

Orton responded by saying he was so stupid for thinking he could go out there and Cena would listen to what Orton had to say. Orton noted how he is part of one of wrestling’s royal families. Orton said wrestling will provide for him and his family until he’s six feet in the ground. As Orton went on, Cena told Orton to “Shut your mouth.” Cena said Orton doesn’t understand – Cena has already won 17 while Orton has won 14, but after Cena takes his belt home with him, Orton will be forever frozen at 14. Cena called Orton a babbling moron. Cena said he is going to erase three generations of Orton’s family. Orton got heated and demanded Cena put his title on the line “right here, right now.”

Cena held up his title and smugly said, “No.” Cena said like so many times like he’s done over the last 25 years, Cena is doing it to save Orton’s ass. Cena said, however, there should be a match, but it shouldn’t happen tonight. Cena said it should happen at Backlash because Backlash is in St. Louis and Orton is from St. Louis and Orton can spend the whole day with his family before the match. Cena said he will need Randy Orton at his best and at Backlash, when Orton fails, Orton will have no excuses. Cena told everyone to look at Cena because that’s what the last real champion looks like.

Cena held the title and said that was as close as Orton would ever get to the title and threw the title at Orton. Cena then stomped Orton out and lined up to hit Orton with the belt, but Orton ducked and gave Cena an RKO. Loud “Randy!”chants broke out. Orton grabbed the title and held it over his head while posing on the second rope. Orton’s music hit to end the segment and it was already half past the show’s first hour.

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– A video package on Fraxiom aired.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. Los Garzas (Berto & Angel)

Boy, Fraxiom is so good and I’m happy they got a chance to shine on the big stage like this. Because of how long the first segment went, I was a bit worried they’d get their time cut, but eight-and-a-half minutes was probably about right. Frazer is just so fast and Axiom is so innovative when it comes to incorporating this stuff into the WWE style. Actually, they both are. Anyway, this instantly made the SmackDown tag division better/more interesting and while the bar was low, Fraxiom’s debut was the kick in the pants the division needed. Now if only that TLC match later on delivers … .

Axiom started the match with Berto and hit a dropkick before Frazer tagged in and kicked Berto in the head. Angel entered the match and instantly found himself on the outside of the ring. Fazer and Axiom hit dual dives on the heels before Axiom followed those up with a moonsault onto Berto and Angel on the outside of the ring. Back inside the ring, Axiom tagged in and worked a headlock on Berto. Axiom ran the ropes and Angel held up the ropes so Axiom fell through them and to the floor. The show then went to a commercial break as Angel ripped off his pants.

The show returned and Berto was working over Axiom until Axiom kicked Angel and got the hot tag to Frazer, who showed his speed on the ropes and hit an elbow and Slingblade on Berto. Frazer followed up with a running moonsault for a two-count. Berto kicked Frazer and tagged in Angel, who kicked Frazer as he attempted a springboard moonsault from the second rope. Berto tagged in and Los Garza want to the second rope to hit their finisher. Axiom broke up Los Garza’s pin attempt. “This is awesome!” chants began.

Axiom tagged in and traded blows with Angel. Angel went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. Frazer tagged himself in and Axiom hit a Spanish Fly off the top while Frazer followed it up with a Phoenix Splash to get his team the win.

Match Result: Fraxiom defeated Los Garzas (8:25)

The Tiffany Stratton/Jade Cargill segment

Cargill came off a bit as a heel here, so I wonder if a full turn is imminent. I always thought she was better as a heel in AEW than she was a babyface, so I can’t complain. Meanwhile, this felt rushed (thanks, Cena), and it kind of/sort of feels like they are trying to re-create what happened on Monday between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY. To that, I say … we’ll see … .

Stratton made her entrance in her wrestling gear. Stratton started by asking the crowd what time it was and everyone loudly yelled “Tiffy tiime!” Stratton said she went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest of all time, Charlotte Flair. Stratton said in the end, she prevailed and she’s still the WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton said she was always told she was the next Charlotte Flair, but that was wrong because there is only one Tiffany Stratton. Jade Cargill’s music then hit and Cargill walked out in her wrestling gear, microphone in hand.

Cargill said she was there to give credit where it was due. Cargill said Tiffy’s match with Charlotte created a bigger target on Tiffy’s back. Since her business is over with Naomi, Cargill said she has nothing but time and Cargill said it was time for everyone to see how she got to WWE to become a champion. Cargill told Tiffy that just because she beat Charlotte, she’s not the best. In order to be the best, Cargill said Tiffy had to beat Cargill. Tiffy said that’s fine and she’d wrestle Cargill now if that’s what she wanted. A referee ran down and the match looked like it was going to start as the show went to a commercial break.

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill

Umpf. This was a rough match. Wade Barrett had a point – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Tiffy stumble on a Prettiest Moonsault Ever attempt, even dating back to NXT. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot along the way, so that means little to nothing, but it was jarring to see, for me at least. While I liked the grit of the match, things just seemed so out of sorts at times that I began to feel bad for the wrestlers. Cue the questions on if Cargill can stay afloat in singles WWE waters. As for the Jax return … meh. I can’t say I’m inspired by another Jax/Stratton program. If this was the beginning of a Jax/Naomi alliance, however, you have my attention.

Well, it turned out, they stood there (just staring at each other?) for a long commercial break before starting the match. The show returned and the bell rang. The two worked a slow pace to start things out and Tiffy extended her hand for a handshake. Cargill went for it, but Tiffy used it to whip Cargill into the ropes. After what appeared to be a tiny miscommunication, Cargill landed a backbreaker. Cargill ran at Tiffy and Tiffy tripped Cargill into the ropes. Tiffy followed that with a hip attack, but Cargill came right back with a spinebuster for a two count.

Cargill slammed Tiffy again in a weird spot, but it was only good enough for a one-and-a-half count. Tiffy hit a spinebuster of her own for a two-count. Tiffy hit her gymnastic-springboard splash in a corner for a two-count. Tiffy executed a second one for another two-count. Tiffy looked frustrated as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Tiffy hit a rolling Senton. Tiffy went for a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but she stumbled and Cargill moved. Cargill caught Tiffy after that and hit a powerbomb for a near-fall that woke up the crowd. Cargill went for a splash, but Tiffy moved and went for the gymanstics routine, but Cargill caught her. It didn’t matter because Tiffy came back with a basement dropkick for a nice near-fall. Tiffy went to the top, but Cargill cut her off and landed a super-plex from the second rope. Both wrestlers were down.

Tiffy rolled to the apron and Naomi ran out to attack Cargill to end the match. Naomi ran Cargill into the ring post repeatedly. Tiffy returned to the ring and Naomi rolled out of the ring. Nia Jax then attacked Stratton from behind and ragdolled Tiffy. Jax landed a leg drop on Tiffy and the crowd wanted another one. Instead, Jax dragged Tiffy to a corner and hit the A-Nia-Lator on Stratton. Jax held up the title to end the segment.

Match Result: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill wrestled to a no contest [10:12]

The Jacob Fatu/LA Knight/Drew McIntyre segment

Will this match later on be where one, Mr. Black makes his triumphant return to WWE? We’ll see. As for this segment, I prefer Drew vs. Fatu if only because it’s so much fresher than Fatu vs. Knight. The verbal jabs here were fun, if not a little kids gloves-ish. Knight and McIntyre can go a lot harder on the mic and they just opted not to here for whatever reason. My only hope is that Fatu doesn’t just drop the U.S. belt in his first defense out of the gate, whenever that comes.

Fatu made his entrance with Solo Sikoa. Fatu wore the U.S. title around his neck and received a hell of a reaction from the live crowd. Fatu soaked in “Fatu!” chants. Sikoa asked the crowd to show love and respect for their new United States Champion, Jacob Fatu. Sikoa said everyone saw what he already at WrestleMania – that Jacob Fatu is the future of the company. Sikoa said nobody in his family wanted Fatu in WWE except for Sikoa.

Sikoa said everyone thought Fatu was too much of a risk, but Sikoa was the only reason Fatu was there and he was a champion. Fatu glared at Sikoa. Sikoa ranted and Fatu grabbed the microphone from Sikoa. The crowd cheered. Fatu told Sikoa to not get it twisted because he told Sikoa he would win the U.S. title. Fatu said he told Sikoa the U.S. title was coming home to the family and he’d do it with or without Sikoa. Fatu said that’s exactly what he did and he told Texas to look at their new U.S. champ. Fatu said he knows that the title makes him a menace to society and at the end of the day, Sikoa better “get in where he fit in.” Fatu said he’s all gas and no breaks and LA Knight’s music hit.

Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight said at Mania, Fatu ate a BFT. Knight recalled how Fatu grabbed the rope to get out of a pin attempt and capitalized on the opportunity and beat Knight in the middle of the ring. Knight said everyone told him he had a hell of a match at WrestleMania. Knight said he didn’t care about that, because he wanted his rematch, and he wanted it right now. Drew McIntyre’s music then hit and McIntyre made his entrance.

McIntyre stood in the entranceway with a microphone and said it wasn’t always easy being Drew McIntyre. McIntyre that much like Texas he has “some big guns.” McIntyre said at Mania, he beat Damian Priest in one of the most violent matches in Mania history. McIntyre looked into the camera and thanked Priest for allowed him to embarrass him in front of Priest’s family. McIntyre said the next plan was to challenge Cena for his world title, but Orton jumped the line. McIntyre wondered if it was Nepo Wrestling Entertainment.

McIntyre said he wants to fight the baddest dog in the yard, Jacob Fatu, as he stepped onto the apron. Knight mocked McIntyre speaking and McIntyre said Knight always has jokes, but the only joke around here was Knight’s last title run. Knight said he’d say McIntyre’s last title run was a joke, but he couldn’t remember it. Knight said if McIntyre thinks he deserves a title shot, McIntyre should step into the ring and show Knight. Nick Aldis walked out and told everyone to put on their tights in the back and later tonight, Knight will face McIntyre to determine the next No. 1 contender for the U.S. Championship.

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– Zelina Vega ran into Byron Saxton backstage and Saxton said Vega could become the new Women’s U.S. Champion tonight. Vega said tonight, she’s speechless because she’s wanted this for so long. Vega said in Texas, you go big or go home and she’ll leave with the U.S. title around her waist.

WWE Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green defends against Zelina Vega

That’s a surprise. A double-edged one, too. I like Green’s act a lot and thought she brought a lot to the women’s secondary SmackDown belt. I also tend to like Vega and I don’t think she gets a fair shake from these live crowds who sit on their hands whenever she appears. It’s all so odd if it’s true that the first match that resulted in a count-out wasn’t supposed to end in a count-count. If that doesn’t happen, does that mean Vega never gets this title? Either way, this was a nice surprise and I’m looking forward to Green being in chase/brat mode because that’s what she does best.

Green ran at Vega to start the match, but Vega ultimately took control early. Vega was on the apron and Green dropkicked her off the apron to the outside. Fyre threw Vega into the LED board and Niven followed that up with a Senton on the outside while Green distracted the referee. Green posed on the second rope and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and the two were battling on the top rope. The sequence ended with a German Suplex from Vega to Green off the middle rope. Vega clotheslined Green repeatedly before hitting a spinning back elbow. Vega went to the second rope and landed a Meteora for a two-count. Fyre hopped onto the apron and Vega hit Fyre. Vega turned her attention back with Green with a Backstabber and set up for a 619, but Niven tripped Vega. The referee then kicked Niven and Fyre out of ringside and to the back. Green tried to take advantage of Vega’s attention being elsewhere, but Vega countered with a Code Red and got the win.

Match Result: Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green to win the WWE Women’s United States Championship (7:15)

– Melo was shown backstage with the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal winning trophy. He was with The Miz, who said he sacrificed himself for Melo because he has a vision for Melo. Miz then presented Melo with a chain that had Andrade’s head on it. Melo said the chain represents the chip that is on his shoulder. Melo said he’s larger than life and is the 10th wonder of the world. Melo said he is Him. Miz said he Melo inspired him and because of that, he is going to make his moment in the ring.

The Miz/Aleister Black segment

If this was how Black was going to be reintroduced, there wasn’t much else you could ask for here. It was a Miz segment and it was predictable on every level because of that. I’m happy to see Black back. I’d be lying if I said I don’t wonder about how both he and Rusev will fare in their return from what I guess was the depths of whatever their definition of hell was in AEW. I put little stock in rumors and rumblings and all that, so I’m willing to think that maybe they both simply just weren’t good fits in AEW’s structural approach and we can all move on. If these returns to WWE don’t work, though, and neither wrestler gets over to the degree they might seem to think they should be over, my eyebrow will be raised.

Miz stood in the ring coming out of commercial and he said since 2007, he’s been an integral part of WrestleMania, but this year, he had no match or no mention. He reminded everyone how he main-evented Maina once and beat John Cena, which is something Cody Rhodes couldn’t even do. Miz noted how he’s been there for 20 years. He asked what he has to do – wear a lucha mask and call himself Rey? Miz referenced how Randy Orton needed an opponent but instead, Joe Hendry got the opportunity.

Miz reminded everyone that he is the A-Lister and the most must-see superstar of all time. The lights went out and we saw candles lit near the entrance. Lo and behold, rising up from the floor was Aleister Black, who looked in great shape and made his entrance. Black executed his former WWE entrance to a T, beat for beat. “Welcome back!” chants broke out. Black looked around and soaked in the cheers. Miz walked towards Black and Black hit Black Mass on Miz. Black then sat down next to Miz to end the segment.

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– Saxton interviewed Bianca Belair backstage and brought up how Belair broke a couple fingers. Belair said even though things didn’t go her way, she was very proud of their match at Mania. Belair said it won’t be the last time she sees Rhea Ripley because Ripley inserted herself into a match she didn’t deserve. Belair said when she returns, she will have some business she will need to address.

– Naomi was shown walking backstage and she ran into Jax, who told Naomi to stay out of her way when it comes to Tiffy and Tiffy’s title. Naomi said she will as long as Jax proceeds with caution.

Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight

This was fun while it lasted, but I fear that the U.S. title picture is becoming the tag team title picture on SmackDown, what with all these different storylines overlapping. So, to get this straight, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest are involved in wanting Jacob Fatu’s U.S. title – but that’s only because McIntyre and Priest’s blood feud spilled into this section of the program … and perhaps Solo Sikoa is one Friday away from putting his name in the hat as well? Too many cooks, maybe? Too many cooks. Still, this match was fine while it lasted. I wasn’t anticipating a clean winner and I did not get a clean winner. At some point, SmackDown is going to need to be more creative; I just don’t know when that some point is going to come.

The two locked up to start the match and McIntyre slammed Knight before posing. The pace was slow. Knight came back, took McIntyre down and posed as well. Knight worked a side head-lock until McIntyre shot him off and took Knight down with a clothesline. Knight responded with a back suplex and the two traded chops after that. McIntyre was thrown outside and Knight followed him. McIntyre rolled back into the ring and Knight tried to follow, but McIntyre shoulder-blocked Knight off the apron and into the crowd barrier.

Knight rolled back into the ring and McIntyre pounded on Knight before hitting a Brainbuster for a two-count. McIntyre kicked Knight in the midsection as Knight tried to avoid McIntyre in a corner. McIntyre chopped Knight. Knight chopped McIntyre and then McIntyre stomped on Knight repeatedly. McIntyre taunted Knight and set up for a vertical suplex, but Knight blocked it. McIntyre still came away from things with the upper hand as he beat Knight down … until Knight suplexed McIntyre out of nowhere to reset the match.

Knight hit a leaping clothesline and a Russian Leg Sweep after firing up. Knight followed that up with a jumping neck-breaker for a two-count. McIntyre landed a Glasglow Kiss and set up for a Future Shock DDT, but Knight countered and it ended up with Knight’s second-rope leaping elbow for a two-count. Knight went for a BFT, but McIntyre worked out of it and got to the outside, where Knight hit a dropkick through the ropes. Knight repeatedly slammed McIntyre’s head on the announce desk.

Knight rolled McIntyre back into the ring and the referee was tending to McIntyre as Solo Sikoa appeared out of nowhere gave the Samoan Spike to Knight. Sikoa rolled Knight into the ring and McIntyre set up for a Claymore Kick, but Damian Priest showed up and pulled McIntyre out of the ring. Priest attacked McIntyre and hit a South Of Heaven on McIntyre through the announce desk. Priest tried to leave and ran into Knight, who jawed at Priest. Jacob Fatu came out of nowhere and wiped both Knight and Priest out with a splash.

Fatu rolled Priest and Knight into the ring and landed a hip attack on Knight. Fatu followed that up with a jump-up moonsault on Knight and a hip attack on Priest. Fatu gave Priest the jump-up moonsault treatment as well. “Fatu!” chants filled the building and Fatu held his title high to end the segment.

Match Result: Drew McIntyre defeated LA Knight via DQ (9:25)

– John Cena was shown walking backstage and ran into R-Truth, who said if Cena ever needed him, Cena could give him a call. Jimmy Uso walked into the frame and Truth told Jimmy he still wants to be like Cena when he grows up. Jimmy said Truth is already grown up, though. There was no real need for this.

– Next week, Aleister Black will face The Miz. That was the only match advertised. From there, we went to the introductions for the TLC match.

WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns in a TLC title match

This was really, really good. Look. It’s not a Ladder War. It’s not GCW. It’s not even AEW. It was the traditional WWE TLC match with the spots you expect to look for, but these guys executed those spots (save for Dawkins’s spear off the ladder, which was definitely not as good-looking as Edge’s from a million years ago) well and they even added some new wrinkles to the WWE TLC cannon. It’s all to say, these six guys worked safe and hard and they should be applauded for that. Would I have rather seen this match on the Maina card than, say, AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul? As a matter of fact, I would. Everyone went out there with something to prove and they proved it (ish). Two standouts were Ciampa, who volunteered to take the worst of the punishment, and Tessitore, who put over this match like he was actually calling a WrestleMania bout. Good, hard work all around and if “The SmackDown After WrestleMania” is a thing (like the commentary team referenced many times throughout the night), this was a solid way to end the festivities.

Ciampa and Gargano had the upper hand to start things and they grabbed a ladder, but MCMG dropkicked the ladder into #DIY. MCMG pounded on the Profits until #DIY broke it up. A minute-and-a-half into the match, MCMG started pointed at the titles. Sabin went for a five-hole dive on Gargano, but Gargano held up a chair and Sabin wound up diving into a chair. Dawkins inserted himself and ran Gargano’s head into the ring post. Dawkins was the first to set up a ladder in the middle of the ring, but Sabin hopped on Dawkins’s back. Shelley helped and hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on Dawkins’s leg to get him off the ladder.

MCMG went to work on #DIY and Shelley teased climbing the ladder until Ford popped up. Dawkins returned to theh ring and got the ladder out of the way to land 360 splashes on MCMG. Sabin then knocked Dawkins off the top rope and MCMG went to work on Dawkins. Sabin grabbed a chair and Shelley hit a basement dropkick to the head of Dawkins with the chair assist. Sabin followed that with a missile dropkick on Ford from the top – with the chair assist as well. Shelley sold arm pain in a way that made it look like he may have well had some serious arm pain.

Ciampa and Gargano rammed the ladder into Dawkins’s head before Ford hit a dive over the ring post onto all the teams. Ford put another ladder in the ring and Ciampa and Gargano cut Ford off. Gargano came off one ladder and hit a twisted Flatline on Ford, ladder to ladder. Ciampa looked like he was going to win the match, but Dawkins showed up and pulled Ciampa off the ladder. The titles were swinging and Dawkins slammed Gargano from high on the ladder.

Ciampa climbed the ladder and Sabin cut Ciampa off, but Dawkins pushed the ladder over. Shelley returned to the action, so he turns out he was OK, which was good. A chair was placed around Shelley’s neck and Gargano swung a chair into the chair around Shelley’s neck. Gargano suplexed Sabin onto a chair and #DIY worked over Dawkins with chairs. Dawkins came back and hit a twisted double-arm DDT on Gargano onto two chairs. The Profits fired up and grabbed a table from the outside. Ciampa was on Dawkins’s shoulders and Ford landed a running Blockbuster from the inside onto the outside and all six men were down.

“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Ford grabbed a fan’s prosthetic leg and beat Gargano with it. Ford draped a ladder outside the ring, but Ciampa ran Ford into it. The action slowed down briefly as furniture was set up all around the ring. Dawkins was sprawled out on a table. Sabin hit a splash onto Dawkins while on the table from the top on the outside. Ford set Ciampa up on a table and flipped himself onto Ciampa through a table on the outside. Again, “This is awesome!” chants began to emanate from the crowd.

Ford super-kicked Ciampa on the apron as the two fought. Ciampa returned the favor. Ciampa then hit White Noise on Ford through the ladder that was draped on the outside of the ring. Inside the ring, Gargano climbed the ladder, but was cut off via Shelley. Sabin and Gargano fought on the apron. Sabin and Shelley hit Skull and Bones on Gargano through a table on the outside of the ring. More “This is awesome!” chants broke out.

Back inside the ring, Ciampa fired himself up to climb up the ladder. Ciampa got to the top and it looked like he could have taken the titles, but MCMG removed the ladder from Ciampa, who hung from the belt holder. Dawkins got on top of a ladder and a table was placed below Ciampa. Dawkins speared Ciampa from the top of the ladder through a table. It wasn’t the cleanest spear ever. Shelley and Sabin took their time to set up a ladder and Gargano showed up to throw a chair at the head of Shelley.

Gargano climbed the ladder, but Sabin met him at the top. The two traded blows at the top of the ladder. Sabin knocked Gargano off the top but out of nowhere, Ford leapt onto the ladder and knocked Sabin down. Just when it looked like Ford would win Gargano pulled him down. Then, just when it looked like Gargano would win, Sabin showed up. Ford, Gargano and Sabin battled at the top of the ladder in a wild spot. Ford got the best of them all and unhooked the belts for the win.

Tez and Dawkins posed on top of the ladder after the match before replays aired. The Profits celebrated in the ring and got the crowd to celebrate with them. The Profits went out into the crowd and celebrated with them as the show ended.

Match Result: WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) and Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) in a TLC match to retain (22:52)

WWE SmackDown live results: WrestleMania go-home show

Posted on April 18, 2025April 19, 2025 by Colin McGuire

Cody Rhodes and John Cena will come face-to-face on the final SmackDown before WrestleMania 41.

Ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match, the two have been trading barbs since Cena turned against Rhodes at Elimination Chamber. Tonight will mark the final promo opportunity for both before their Sunday night main event..

Also tonight, Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair will be the subject of two sit-down interviews. They are set to wrestle for the WWE Women’s Championship on night one of WrestleMania.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) are defending their WWE Tag Team titles against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) tonight. A six-woman tag bout is also set with Chelsea Green, Piper Niven & Alba Fyre taking on Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

Plus, the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal will take place on SmackDown as well.

Tonight’s show is being held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time — with the first hour of SmackDown airing commercial-free on USA Network.

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Las Vegas aired. Cody Rhodes, the Motor City Machine Guns, The Street Profits, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga were shown backstage. LA Knight appeared out of nowhere and slammed Tonga’s arm into a car door.

– Seth Rollins’s music hit and Rollins walked out for the first segment.

The Seth Rollins segment

… Because all I wanted for my birthday was watching Seth Rollins cosplay as CM Punk with a promo that didn’t quite hit as hard as everyone hoped it would. Don’t get me wrong. Rollins was good here and his efforts were appreciated, but I simply can’t buy into these “the most important triple threat in the history of wrestling” superlatives. Maybe you can, and if you can, that’s great. I’m jealous. I’d love for this match and this story to grip my attention – and I’ve even tried to play along at various spots in its development – but I can’t get there. I hope they have something bombastic planned for how it all plays out Saturday night. Until then, this just felt like a rehashing of things we’ve all heard Rollins say multiple times already. The AEW reference got him a few cheap gasps from the live crowd, but anyone who’s been paying attention to Rollins both on and off TV has heard all of this before. On to tomorrow.

Rollins stood in the middle of the ring holding a microphone as the crowd sang his song. Rollins welcomed everyone to “Friday Night Rollins,” which doesn’t quite work as well as “Monday Night Rollins,” but so it goes. “CM Punk!” chants began and Rollins sat cross-legged in the middle of the ring, a la Punk. “OTC!” chants broke out. Rollins took the SmackDown cube off the microphone and said he wanted to start by talking about Punk.

Rollins said the reason Punk came back to wrestling was because everyone chanted his name for 10 years. Rollins said when Punk came back to the ring, “it wasn’t a WWE ring.” Rollins asked if Punk came back because everyone chanted his name or if someone else “wrote a big, fat check.” Rollins noted how Punk burned that bridge and came back to WWE and asked again if it was because the fans chanted Punk’s name. Rollins said no because Punk came back to WWE because WWE wrote him a “big, fat check,” and the crowd chanted “Big fat check!” Rollins said, “Tell me when I’m telling lies.”

Rollins called Punk a liar, a fraud and a coward. Rollins said say what you will about Roman Reigns, but Reigns doesn’t even pretend to care about the fans whereas Punk claims to care about the fans. Rollins said Reigns only cares about Reigns and Reigns is in the Reigns business. The crowd did the sing-songy “Roman, Roman Reigns!” bit. Rollins said Reigns knows nothing about sacrifice while Rollins knows everything about sacrifice. Rollins said the story between he, Reigns and Punk started 12 years ago and it started with Paul Heyman.

Rollins said Heyman brought Reigns, Rollins and Dean Ambrose into WWE to be a Shield for CM Punk. Rollins said every single night, he sacrificed everything he had in the ring to be that shield. Rollins said he didn’t get credit for that because everyone in the back wanted all the cameras on Reigns. Rollins said everyone said Reigns would be the next cash cow for WWE, he would be the “next John Cena.” Rollins said Punk took his ball and went home and Rollins heard some Punk chants while Rollins was making every show and sacrificing everything he had every night.

Rollins said it all came to a head last year at WrestleMania, when his knee was shredded and his stepdad was dying of cancer. Still, Rollins said he made it to Mania last year to be a shield to make sure Roman Reigns lost. “Thank you Seth!” chants broke out and the crowd sang Rollins’s song. Rollins said the story started 12 years ago and it will end tomorrow night “in the most important triple threat match in the history of this industry.” Rollins promised everybody he will lay everything on the line to make sure the business moves forward in the right direction. Rollins ended by saying, “That’s not a prediction; that’s a spoiler.”

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– Rey Fenix received a televised entrance for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. A video package on Andre then aired. When the show came back to the ring, Nakamura received a televised entrance as well.

Andre The Giant memorial battle royal

There really isn’t much to say about this because you can take every single Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal ever, say whatever there is to say about that, cut, paste, and use it right here. I was pleasantly surprised to see Melo and Andrade work as the final two left because I loved that best-of-seven series they had (save for whatever the ending to it was supposed to be). Melo going over makes sense, though I’d really love to see the creative minds come up with something meaningful for Andrade to do after Mania. Considering the Gable/Fenix stuff … does this mean Fenix plays a role in Americano’s match vs. Mysterio this weekend? We shall see.

Carlito and R-Truth had a fun bit where Truth took a bite out of Carlito’s apple. Truth then eliminated Carlito and threw his apple at him. The Miz then eliminated Truth as a means to help Melo. Karrion Kross attacked Miz and Melo stepped in to break it up. Los Garza went to work on Fenix, but that led to Fenix eliminating both Berto and Angel. Santos Escobar looked angry about the whole thing. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory eliminated both members of Pretty Deadly.

Kaiser eliminated Tyler Bate with a shotgun dropkick to Bate’s midsection. As a result, Pete Dunne went to work on Kaiser. Santos Escobar proposed working with Fenix to eliminate Andrade, but instead, Fenix eliminated Escobar. The Creed Brothers eliminated Tozawa and Otis then clotheslined the Creed Brothers over the top to dispose of them. Otis was then eliminated. Otis attacked the Creeds outside of the ring. Andrade threw Waller to the floor. Andrade did the same to Theory. Andrade and Chad Gable had a moment and all the luchadores in the match attacked Gable and Fenix eliminated him.

Fenix and Kross exchanged chops and Dragon Lee eliminated Kross, which got some boos, considering how it’s Kross’s hometown (and people seem to like that guy these days). Lee ran into a knee from Nakamura and Nakamura eliminated Lee. Kaiser and Dunne fought on the apron and both safely returned to the ring before Dunne eliminated Kaiser. Miz and Melo were on the apron and Dunne did the finger spot on Melo. Miz saved Melo, but Dunne eliminated Miz.

The final five were Fenix, Dunne, Melo, Nakamura and Andrade. Melo eliminated Dunne and the final four stared at each other. They then brawled. Nakamura fired up, but missed a running knee. From there, Andrade dropkicked Nakamura off the top rope and out of the match. Melo and Andrade fought on the middle rope and Fenix tried to eliminate both of them to no avail. Melo then attacked Fenix. Fenix ran at Melo, but Melo placed Fenix on the apron. Fenix walked the ropes, but El Grande Americano appeared out of nowhere and eliminated Fenix.

The final two were Andrade and Melo. Tessitore referenced their seven-match series. Melo and Andrade countered each other’s moves and landed some clotheslines on each other. Andrade hit his spinning back elbow and both guys were down at about the 15 minute mark. Andrade set up for Three Amigos, but Melo blocked it and hit a cutter. The two battled on the second rope and Melo got the best of it, sending Andrade over the top for the win. The Miz came back to ringside to celebrate with Melo.

Match Result: Carmelo Hayes won the Andre The Giant memorial battle royal (15:30)

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– Wade Barrett interviewed Charlotte and asked why she thinks things got so ugly between her and Stratton. Charlotte took her time to respond and said she doesn’t love it and both she and Tiffy have chips on their shoulders. Now, though, people are invested in the Charlotte/Tiffy match and what matters most to Charlotte is that people now want to see Tiffy and Charlotte go at it. Charlotte said at the end of the day, that’s what the business is about. This was all they showed and I’m not sure if that means we’ll see more later or they just edited the hell out of the sit-down.

– Tama Tonga has been taken to a “local medical facility” after Knight’s attack in the parking lot earlier.

– Rhea Ripley was shown walking backstage and with about 10 minutes before the top of the hour, the show went to a commercial break, which I thought was not the plan? You stiffed us on 10 minutes, WWE. Keep your promises.

The Rhea Ripley/IYO SKY/Bianca Belair/Naomi/Jade Cargill segment

This was fun. Naomi is doing fantastic work as this unhinged friend scorned. I maintain that she plays a role in helping Belair win the title this weekend and then aligns with a heel Bianca Belair (first defense for Belair being … of course … Jade Cargill). Ripley is such a star, it’s great to watch her become more and more comfortable in that role. SKY, meanwhile, has played her role in this program perfectly along the way. I could be in the minority, but even if we all agree that this doesn’t need to be a triple threat and the money match was actually Ripley/Belair, SKY has made the most of her part. As she just sort of stood around while everyone brawled here, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I liked this segment a bit. Fast-moving. Wavering in and out of intensity. This was good.

Ripley took in a bunch of cheers once in the ring. She said this will be her sixth WrestleMania and each time, she’s walked into some sort of championship match. That said, this year’s is probably the most important to her, she argued. Ripley noted how she lost her women’s title before Mania and let Bianca Belair get the best of her. Ripley said she could make excuses and complain, but there’s no point in talking about the past. Ripley said she will do what she has to do to get back what she wants – that Women’s World Championship. Ripley said she will walk out of Mania a three-time champ. IYO SKY’s music hit and SKY made her entrance.

SKY went to talk and Bianca Belair’s music hit. Belair made her entrance. Belair entered the ring and started talking, but the crowd booed her. Belair asked SKY and Ripley if they really thought she wouldn’t show up. The boos got louder. Belair said tonight might be her last time on SmackDown for a while because at Mania, she will walk out as champion. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi stepped into the entranceway. Naomi confronted Belair about not talking to her. Naomi said she’s been calling and texting Belair, but she’s heard nothing in return. Naomi asked if their friendship means so little to Belair. Naomi said she wanted to handle things in private, but … and then Belair and Naomi talked over each other.

Naomi entered the ring and Belair said they weren’t going to do this right now. Naomi said tomorrow, she will finish what she started with Jade Cargill. On cue, Cargill’s music hit and Cargill walked to the ring with purpose. Cargill entered the ring and yelled at Belair off-mic. Naomi rolled out of the ring. Ripley stepped in and said it wasn’t about Cargill, but Naomi returned to the ring and everyone except SKY brawled. SKY just sort of stood there while the crowd chanted “IYO!” SKY then went to the top and landed an Over The Moonsault onto everyone in the floor to end the segment.

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– Rey Fenix was shown backstage and Chad Gable walked up and made fun of him for losing the battle royal. Dragon Lee walked in and told Gabe to shut up. Rey Mysterio showed up and told Gable Americano will learn some real lucha libre at WrestleMania. Mysterio challenged Gable and the Creeds to a six-man tag later in the show.

WWE World Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns

What a stupid finish. The Profits, #DIY, MCMG … they all deserve better. Not only did they not make it on to the actual Mania card, but they were straddled with this waste of time. The action was good while it lasted, and I actually thought the pace was picking up nicely as the teams were finally starting to get the crowd behind them, but it was all for nothing. If there was ever a scenario for a justified multi-person tag match for the biggest PPV, it was the SmackDown tag division. Instead, nobody gets anything. It’s a shame.

MCMG jumpstarted the match as the Profits were posing during their entrance. When the match officially started, Shelley and Sabin worked a series of double-team moves on Ford until Ford powered out of everything and clotheslined Shelley and Sabin separately. Dawkins tagged in and landed his spinning splash on Sabin before tagging in Ford, who hit the assisted Blockbuster on Sabin, but Shelley broke up the pin attempt. Shelley went to fly, but Dawkins punched Shelley in the teeth. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Shelley tagged in Sabin, who fired up and took out both Profits, complete with a running apron kick to Dawkins. Sabin then hit a missile dropkick onto Ford. Shelley tagged in and worked a pair of double-team moves, including a dropkick Flatliner combo. Dawkins tagged in and threw Sabin, who was the legal man, for a two-count. Ford quickly tagged in and went to the top, but MCMG worked him over with a series of tandem moves again. Shelley went to the top, but Dawkins broke things up. Ford then hit a super-kick on Sabin and landed a dive on everyone over a ring post. #DIY then showed up and interfered, ending the match. Gargano and Ciampa got hold of the tag titles, stole them, and walked to the back.

Match Results: Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns went to a no contest (8:35)

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– Nick Aldis ran into Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice. Green’s ladies served Aldis with papers, which addressed last week’s count-out loss. Aldis made a Green vs. Vega match for later with the Hervice barred from ringside.

– Ciampa and Gargano were shown trying to leave the arena with the tag titles, but Aldis stepped in and stopped them. The Profits showed up. Everybody shouted at each other. Aldis took the titles away from Ciampa and Gargano and Aldis made the match for SmackDown next week – a TLC match for the tag titles between the three teams.

The Randy Orton segment

Good fire from Orton. Short and sweet, which isn’t common for Randy Orton segments in the year 2025. The open challenge is probably the best way to go, but I was still holding out hope for an Aldis vs. Orton showdown. Either way, who you got? Rusev? Black? Mariah May? The speculation should be fun over the next 48 hours.

Orton reminded everyone that he doesn’t have an opponent for WrestleMania 41. Orton said he’s been around town all week and there is an excitement about WrestleMania everywhere. Orton referenced his dad being in the first Mania and said there’s no way in hell he will sit out this year’s Mania. Orton noted how this would be the 20th time he would compete at a WrestleMania. Orton said he will show up on Sunday, boots tied, baby oil on his skin, and he will be ready to deliver for the WWE Universe. He said he’ll do it for the fans, himself and the boys in the back.

Orton said if anyone wants to test their meddle, he dares them to step up. Orton said if anyone on the strip owns a pair of wrestling boots, he challenges them to step up. Orton said whomever it will be will fall victim to the three most dangerous letters in wrestling: R.K.O. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

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– Footage from the McIntyre/Priest brawl at the Mania kickoff show aired.

– Byron Saxton interviewed Priest and Priest cut Saxton off, saying he wanted to send a message to McIntyre. Priest said McIntyre is not a victim – not yet. Priest said Drew isn’t ready for their fight this weekend. Priest said he will beat Drew so bad, “he will wish he was future-endeavored again.” Priest said he will bury McIntyre on Sunday.

WWE Women’s U.S. Champion vs. Zelina Vega in a non-title match

I’m glad they made this a one-on-one match instead of what had earlier been advertised as a six-woman tag and the pinfall victory caught me by surprise. So, all of that was good. The thing that bugs me is that this must mean Green won’t be featured on Mania at all (there have been rumors of a segment featuring her, but …). Chelsea Green deserves a WrestleMania moment. We can all agree on that, right? There would be lots of options for a mystery/impromptu opponent. Why not set aside some time for her? She’s earned it. Anyway, I suspect this means we’ll get Vega vs. Green for the women’s U.S. title sooner than later. This match was sort of meaningless outside of the fun the Vega and Green had with the count out situation from last week.

Green ran at Vega to jumpstart the match and kept up her offense in the early part of the match. Vega eventually kicked Green in the face, but Green came right back and landed a series of strikes on Vega before saluting the crowd. The action spilled outside and and Green sent Vega into the crowd barrier. Green instantly scolded the referee for counting her out, which was funny. Green ran at Vega and Vega backdropped Green into the timekeeper’s area. The women nearly missed the 10 count again and rolled into the ring at the same time to break it.

The two traded blows and the crowd cheered Green, booed Vega. Eventually, Vega fired up and took control, setting up for the 619, but Vega instead ran into a kick from Green, which earned Green a two-count. Green placed Vega on the top rope, but Vega fought back and hit a super Code Red from the top rope for a surprising win. Turns out, it was a non-title match, so … .

Match Result: Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green in a non-title match (3:34)

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– LA Knight made his entrance and started his promo by saying, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said what happened last week was inspiration. This was why he attacked Tonga earlier. He now plans to take out Solo Sikoa so he can’t interfere at Mania this weekend in his match against Jacob Fatu. Knight said he walked into WWE and turned the world upside down. Knight said Fatu hasn’t seen anything like him and his U.S. title is the title of titles. Knight said someday, somewhere, Fatu will be a champion in WWE, but at Mania, Fatu will eat a BFT courtesy of LA Knight. Sikoa’s music then hit for the next match.

WWE U.S. Champion LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa

I was a little disappointed this ended up being nothing more than a conduit to set up a tag match. Weirdly, I was kind of/sort of into the idea that Knight would take out Sikoa and Tonga before Mania so he could be assured there will be no interference for his bout against Fatu if only because it added a tiny wrinkle to Knight and Fatu’s story. Either way, this was all right for what it was. Knight and Sikoa aren’t lighting the world on fire with their in-ring work, so this served its purpose.

Knight jumpstarted the match and attacked Sikoa as he made his entrance. Sikoa fought back and ran Knight into the ring steps. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Sikoa was working over Knight on the outside of the ring, complete with a suplex onto the apron. Back inside the ring, Sikoa lifted Knight, but Knight countered with a neck-breaker. Knight ran the ropes and Sikoa hit a knee to Knight’s midsection. Sikoa followed that up with a headbutt to Knight’s midsection.

Knight came off the middle rope, but Knight got the knees up to telegraph Sikoa. Knight fired up and landed a DDT. Knight went to the second rope, but Jacob Fatu showed up out of nowhere and attacked Knight. Braun Strowman’s music hit and Strowman hit the ring with a double cross-body on Sikoa and Fatu. Knight and Strowman cleared the ring. Nick Aldis walked out and made a tag team match on the spot – Knight and Strowman vs. Fatu and Sikoa.

Match Result: WWE U.S. Champion LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ (6:55)

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LA Knight & Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu

So much of this felt like it was lost to the picture-in-picture break – on top of that, the whole idea of a tag match here between these people felt useless in terms of heating anything up – but this got Strowman on the SmackDown before WrestleMania, at least. I continue to wonder if pairing Sikoa with Cody coming out of last year’s Mania was nothing more than a test to see how effective Cody can be in making a star out of nowhere. Considering how Sikoa isn’t on this year’s Mania card … perhaps the answer to that question isn’t all that flattering for either Cody or Solo. Either way, here we are. I just thank the wrestling gods that Kevin Owens wasn’t replaced with Solo Sikoa when it comes to what Randy Orton is doing this weekend … I hope?

The match started during a picture-in-picture and Fatu was working over Strowman as the show returned from break. Sikoa tagged in and kicked Strowman before he went into a head-lock. Fatu tagged in and kicked Strowman in the head and went to a modified chin-lock until Strowman lifted Faty and slammed Fatu. Knight received the hot tag and Sikoa tagged in as well. Knight went to the middle rope and hit his pop-up elbow from the top. Fatu broke up a pin attempt.

Strowman threw Fatu to the outside and went for the Strowman Express, but Fatu threw Strowman over the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Knight hit a BFT on Sikoa and got the win for his team.

Match Result: LA Knight & Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu (7:50)

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– A clip of the Wade Barrett/Tiffany Stratton sit-down interview aried. Barrett asked Stratton how and why her interview with Charlotte went off the rails. Stratton said she felt bullied and during the split-screen interview earlier this year, she wondered if she was up for the challenge. Tiffy said she gave Charlotte a taste of her own medicine and Charlotte doesn’t have to life Tiffy, but she has to respect her. Barrett asked Tiffy what will happen if Tiffy Time ends at Mania. Tiffy said that won’t happen and she’s aware it’s going to be a fight and she’s going to stand up to Charlotte, a bully. Tiffy said she will walk out of Mania as champion.

Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Brutus Creed, Julius Creed & Chad Gable

Oh, no. Mysterio went down before the mid-match break and we didn’t see him again. Not on the apron. Not involved in the action. Not anything. Then, to see how Fenix and Lee went directly to him on the outside of the ring after the match ended … let’s hope Mysterio still get his Mania spot (if not, it better be El Generico who steps in for him, but I digress). The match had some good action and innovation in a very basic WWE way, and as such, it was fine for what it was. I just hope Mysterio walked away from it feeling OK.

Fenix and Brutus started the match. They traded offense and Fenix hit a leaping elbow until he tagged in Dragon Lee, who dropkicked Brutus. Julius tagged in shortly thereafter. Lee worked over Julius and sent him to the outside, where Lee landed a dive. Back inside the ring, Lee hit a cross-body on Julius, but Chad Gable broke up the pin attempt. Rey Mysterio entered the ring and chased Gable around the ring. American Made ran over everyone and the three heels hit flying headbutts from the top rope on Lee at the same time. The show went to a commercial break after that.

Back from the break, Dragon Lee was taking punishment from American Made, complete with a Brutus Ball. Lee was perched on the top, but all three heels ended up hanging by their legs on the top rope. Lee hit a double stomp on all three of them. Fenix received the hot tag from Lee and hit a spinning kick on Julius. Fenix’s run was cut off via a Julius knee to the stomach. Julius followed that up with a belly to belly suplex. Julius ran into a super-kick from Fenix and things broke down as Fenix took out all of American Made.

Fenix went to the top and walked the top rope to kick Gable in the head. Lee landed Operation Dragon on Julius. Fenix followed that up with a Meteora from the top for the victory. Almost immediately after the bell rang, Fenix and Lee checked on Mysterio, who had been out of the match for a while and seemingly had a trainer checking on him.

Match Result: Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated Brutus Creed, Julius Creed & Chad Gable (10:11)

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The Cody Rhodes/John Cena segment

The tension here was fabulous, even if that tension came from the fans and not necessarily from the wrestlers. It was clear that Cody (and/or the WWE writers) were prepared for crowds to turn on Cody and this was the first time during the build to Mania that it was so pronounced. Because of all this, Cody had some good rounds left in the chamber to fire and he landed those parting shots as good as he ever has or ever could. This was a nice go-home segment for the weekend’s biggest match. They left nothing on the table. My only problem: Wait … what’s up with The Rock?

Cody made his entrance first and received a mixed reaction from the fans. When it appeared Cody was going to talk, Cena’s music hit and the crowd kind of/sort of erupted. Loud “John Cena sucks!” chants broke out in tune with Cena’s music. Cena did the pouty face entrance thing. The crowd was up for all of it. “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants broke out and the crowd was hotter than they had been all night. Cody went to speak and Cena said, “Shut your mouth, kid.”

Cena said it will be his 20th Mania and 12th title match. Cena said Sunday will be the last time he ever competes in a WrestleMania ring. Cena said nobody has ever had the courage to end a career the way he is ending his career. Cena said what he is doing is so unprecedented, people don’t believe it. Cena said there is no such thing as a wrestling retirement because wrestlers are all scared, insecure losers. Cena said the second wrestlers get away from wrestling, they’re left with themselves and they come crawling back a shell of themselves. As such, Cena said he doesn’t need a single, damn one of the fans.

Cena said the only reason he wants Cody’s title is that he wants to take it away from Cody and all the fans forever. Cena said he didn’t tell Cody, “Good job, champ” at last year’s Mania and he will lose at this year’s Mania because Cody cares too much about the fans. Cena said he was out there to share one more thing before their match – when he won the Elimination Chamber, he knew it’d be impossible to beat Cody at Mania. In one moment, Cena said, Cody changed that with what he said to The Rock. Cena said he realized at Chamber that Cody doesn’t stand a chance. Cena said he will prove to the fans that they don’t matter.

Cena constantly used “them” and said Cody could accomplish anything he wants in life if he didn’t listen to “them,” but Cody is too weak too do that. Cena asked Cody if he’s going to “do what he thinks is right,” or does he win. Cena called Cody scared, insecure and naive. Cena said on Sunday, he will make Cody “someday who finally realizes that to become a winner, you have to sever ties with all the losers in your life.” Cena said Cody will realize he’s not the captain or quarterback; instead, he’s a kid in a man’s world who doesn’t have the balls of the last real champion.

Cody started to talk and the fans drowned him out with boos. Cody tried again and they booed louder. Cena said, “This is what you fight for?” Cody started up again and the crowd got louder. Cody asked Cena if he knew the guy who usually hands Cena a microphone. Cody said it’s a different WWE and Cena is overrated, overbearing and out of touch and out of time and Cena’s face is melting wax. Cody said Cena is “paler than Sting at Starrcade 97” and wow. Cody said it’s 2025 and Cena “still can’t wrestle.” The crowd loved all of this.

“You can’t wrestle!” chants broke out. The crowd went into the sing-songy Cody Rhodes chant. Cena called the crowd idiots. Cena said the fans are just like Cody – they don’t know what they want. Cena said on Sunday, he won’t have to wrestle and hit (patted?) Cody on the head. Cena lifted Cody, but Cody worked out of it and landed a CrossRhodes on Cena. Cody held up his title, again to mixed reactions from the live crowd, and pointed at the Mania sign. Cody’s music hit and Cody walked to the back. The show ended as the commentary crew ran down the Mania card and then Cody held his title in the air by the LED screens in the entranceway.

WWE SmackDown live results: Fenix debuts

Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Marc Quill

After spending a few weeks in Europe, WWE is back in the United States for tonight’s SmackDown.

Former AEW star Fenix will make his WWE debut. No word on what Fenix’s plans are for tonight, but it’s expected that his first WWE program will be against Andrade.

Two weeks from tomorrow, CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins will headline night one of WrestleMania 41. All three competitors are set to appear live tonight. It’ll be a favorable environment for Punk with SmackDown being held in his hometown of Chicago.

A pair of number one contender’s matches are scheduled. Motor City Machine Guns vs. DIY will decide the next challengers for WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits — and Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman will clash with a shot at LA Knight’s United States title on the line.

Plus, there will be a grudge match with B-Fab taking on Naomi.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Following the WWE signature open, we opened with shots of the Chicago skyline, Allegiant Stadium (WrestleMania 41 in 15 days), and subsequent clips of Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, #DIY, The Motor City Machine Guns, B-Fab, and Naomi at the arena.

– As always, the dynamic duo of Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett welcomed us to SmackDown, as we got a recap of last week’s CM Punk/Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns contract signing. Following that, it was back live to the arena as CM Punk himself arrived to a great ovation from his hometown Chicago crowd.

CM Punk opens SmackDown

Punk started by putting over the Chicago crowd for being loud as he took a TV camera to let the fans cheer as loud as they can for the whole world to see. He said that his goal was to make new fans, but tonight, he was here to thank the 16,000 strong hometown crowd that was here to see him tonight. Punk pointed towards the WrestleMania sign as he reminded everyone that he was in the main event of WrestleMania 41 (one of them, at the very least). Punk said that he earned that opportunity and that through all his life, he was told “you were not supposed to be here” and that he had to work hard to be here. He said that now, the hard work begins.

Punk thanked everyone, starting with his wife April and his puppy Larry first. He said that he would not be who he was without the city of Chicago as he once again thanked everyone. Punk promised that he would whoop Seth Rollins’ ass, put a beating to Roman Reigns at the main event of WrestleMania.

Paul Heyman interrupted proceedings with his trademark “ladies and gentlemen” spiel. Heyman apologized for being late and that there was not disrespect intended to his “best friend” Punk by interrupting him. Punk welcomed Heyman into the ring, stating that he was just getting to him. Heyman said, “ask not what Chicago can do for you, but what your Wiseman can do for you.” He said that Punk belonged in the ring and in the main event of WrestleMania.

Heyman reminisced about the time he begged Punk to take him the last time both were in Chicago as he then talked about the WarGames offer to Punk. He thanked Punk for helping save the Bloodline before he said that he had one more favor to ask of Punk. Heyman asked Punk to tell him what the favor that he owed him.

Punk found out from Heyman that Roman Reigns wasn’t in the building yet, as he then told Heyman that he was going to talk about this favor once Reigns arrived in the arena at some point in the evening, and it was one that would have a direct effect on Reigns himself.

A fine opening salvo from Punk to help set up what’s sure to be an interesting payoff for the favor that Heyman owes him.

**********

Rey Fenix def. Nathan Frazer

Frazer was already in the ring ahead of Fenix’s entrance, as the newest arrival to WWE got a great ovation from the Chicago crowd.

Fenix and Frazer opened with dueling flips as we got an early standoff amidst the chain wrestling action. Fenix hit an impressive dodge between the ropes before he hit Frazer with a side kick. Frazer sent Fenix to the outside as he tried for a dive between the ropes, but he clipped the middle rope and didn’t get all of it. Fenix went up top and soared for a dive onto Frazer at ringside as the action went to a commercial break.

SmackDown returned with Frazer and Fenix battling it out on the top rope. Frazer leapt up from the canvas up top for a springboard superplex and a Final Cut neckbreaker for the two. Frazer went up top and looked for a Phoenix Splash on Fenix, but couldn’t get it.

Fenix had Frazer trapped across the top rope and ran across it for an impressive leaping kick. Fire Driver by Fenix on Frazer got an incredibly close two-count. Frazer nailed Fenix with an enzuigiri to the head, but found himself hit with a superkick. Fenix hit Frazer with the Goodbye Amigo kick, as he then hoisted him on his shoulders to finish this off with the Mexican Muscle Buster for the 1, 2, 3 and the win in his WWE debut.

After the match, Byron Saxton interviewed the victorious Fenix in the ring. Fenix said he had a lot of history in Chicago (he competed in a trios match with Rey Mysterio and Bandido against the Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi at the original All In event in 2018) and that tonight was the rebirth of Rey Fenix. He said he was reborn with rage and animo, as he concluded with “I am WWE! Animo!”

A fun debut match for Fenix, and seeing Nathan Frazer from NXT be his first opponent was a pleasant surprise, especially as someone who watches a lot of NXT for the purpose of keeping abreast for their PLEs. I enjoyed Fenix’s time in AEW, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for him in his WWE career.

**********

– Backstage, Legado Del Fantasma were seen watching Fenix, as Berto said that he was better than Fenix. Santos Escobar told Berto that he was going to talk to Nick Aldis to make that match between Berto and Fenix happen.

– An eyepatch-wearing Drew McIntyre addressed Damian Priest, stating that nobody cared about him unless he was “feasting upon his scraps”. McIntyre talked about how Priest lurked in the shadows last week to ambush him. He said that he was going to pray, as “whenever Drew McIntyre prays, bad things happen.”

– Saxton interviewed Braun Strowman ahead of his Last Man Standing against Jacob Fatu before Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga interrupted. LA Knight barged in and told Strowman to save his energy for Fatu, which led to him trashing Tama as his match against him was up next.

LA Knight def. Tama Tonga (w/ Solo Sikoa)

Knight started off strong with strikes against Tonga, who answered with a dropkick. That wasn’t enough to deter Knight, who dropped Tonga with a suplex. Tonga responded by tripping Knight up, which allowed him to seize advantage, but it didn’t last long. Knight had Tonga trapped in the corner for a series of stomps, followed by a running knee to the face. Knight sent Tonga out of the ring and threw his head repeatedly against the announce table. Solo Sikoa got on the apron to briefly distract the referee, which allowed Tonga to send Knight crasing to the floor below. That took us to a break in the action.

SmackDown returned from break with Knight fighting out of a Tonga resthold as he regained momentum with a victory roll and a two-count. Tonga maintained command with a fierce clothesline that nearly took Knight’s head off, much to the approval of Sikoa at ringside. Tonga got up on the middle turnbuckle and attempted a diving elbow after mocking Knight’s taunt, but he missed big time. Knight fought back and got his second wind with multiple strikes and a neckbreaker. After he slammed Tonga in the middle of the ring, he dropped his signature elbow on Tonga.

Knight had Tonga in position for the BFT, but couldn’t connect. Sikoa tried to hit Knight with the Samoan Spike with the ref distracted. Knight managed to dodge it, however. Rollup by Tonga is reversed as Knight finished this match off with the BFT and the win.

Pretty much a standard match for the U.S. Champion, though Tama Tonga continues to be an entertaining presence.

**********

– Paul Heyman was interviewed as he addressed the camera that whatever the favor was that he owed CM Punk, the answer was “yes”. A car slowly pulled up behind Heyman, which he assumed was Roman Reigns. Unfortunately for Heyman, it was Seth Rollins, who said that he had a plan for Punk and that he also wanted to be present for when the favor would be revealed later.

– Another smoke-filled teaser aired, giving us a glimpse of someone, as well as a symbol of some sort. Is this Aleister Black? Stay tuned…

Charlotte Flair & Tiffany Stratton Face-Off

Wade Barrett was in the ring to moderate this face-off between challenger Flair and Women’s Champion Stratton.

Flair responded to the fans booing her by saying it was “power” before Barrett asked her why she chose Stratton as her WrestleMania opponent. Flair maintained her claim that Stratton was desperate and that her choice was to show the “smartest fans in the world” that there was no comparison.

Stratton said Flair’s biggest battle wasn’t in the ring, but with the crowd, and it was a battle that Flair would never win. She said that no matter how many titles Flair wins, she’d always come second to her dad Ric Flair, and at WrestleMania, she’d come second to Tiffany Stratton.

The crowd booed Flair loudly, which prompted Stratton to respond by throwing back “it’s power” to her face. Flair tried to talk, but couldn’t get in a complete sentence as the Chicago crowd continued to jeer loudly. Stratton mocked Flair for not being able to say anything, with the fans continuing to boo her. Flair conceded and said that Stratton could have the last word.

Stratton said that at age 25, Flair was failing to get into volleyball and “drinking in daddy’s basement”, while at this age, she was heading into WrestleMania as the World Champion. Stratton said that outside the ring, Flair was the Queen of Shit. Stratton capped off her promo by stating that at WrestleMania, Flair would end up alone, just like outside the ring, as she brought up Flair’s previous failed relationships (“0 for 3”). Stratton walked off and headed up the ramp with her WWE Women’s Title held high above her head.

For better or worse, that segment was memorable. That being said, I wasn’t a fan of it at all. The Stratton vs. Flair WrestleMania feud has felt kind of weak, and I’m not sure if Stratton throwing out zingers about Flair’s failed relationships is the way to heat things up.

**********

– Nick Aldis was backstage and announced a Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet would happen next week on SmackDown, with the winners going on to face Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s Tag Titles at WrestleMania.

WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)

Sabin & Gargano started things off in the ring with chain wrestling. Sabin got the upper hand with arm drags as Ciampa tagged in. Shelley entered the match and hit a nice double team move on Ciampa with Sabin’s help. The Machine Guns’ took advantage as they teed off on both Ciampa & Gargano. As a chase took place at ringside, Gargano got the blind tag and hit Shelley with a slingshot spear, which led to a picture-in-picture break.

We returned to live action with Sabin naling a double crossbody on #DIY as he held his own impressively. Shelley re-entered the fray while Sabin hit a suicide dive on Gargano & Ciampa. The MCMGs had Ciampa isolated and hit him with their array of double team moves for a near-fall. As Ciampa had the referee distracted, Gargano caused Sabin to drop down, which allowed for the top rope turnbuckle to be exposed.

Back in the ring, Ciampa got the near fall on Project Ciampa, as #DIY went to work on Sabin. Shelley made the save and got thrown out for his troubles. Ciampa and Gargano had Sabin in their sights for Meet in the Middle, but Sabin avoided calamity.

Another Skull & Bones attempt is foiled by Gargano as Ciampa tried to use a leverage pin to take advantage, but the referee caught Ciampa in the act. In the end, Sabin sent Ciampa into the exposed turnbuckle, which led to the roll up and the victory for the Machine Guns. Sabin and Shelley are now the number one contenders to the Street Profits’ WWE Tag Team Titles.

The SmackDown tag division is entertaining ring-wise, yes, but I think the biggest flaw plaguing them is the lack of promo time or anything substantial to get us to care about most of these teams. It was mentioned on commentary that the MCMGs and DIY had some shared history, but it would’ve been better if we got that history laid out in promos or segments. That said, I did enjoy this match regardless.

**********

– The Miz & Carmelo Hayes confronted Pretty Deadly backstage, as they insulted the two for being losers. Elton Prince & Kit Wilson responded by mocking Miz’s role in The Marine movies, as they called him the “Leonardo DiCaprio of tag team wrestling”. They said that Hayes was wasting his time being Miz’s partner, to which Miz replied by citing his past as a nine-time champion.

Naomi def. B-Fab

As Naomi made her entrance, Jade Cargill ambushed her from behind and got in some good shots before security broke it up. Naomi stumbled her way to the ring as the match proper then got underway.

B-Fab held the advantage on Naomi as she was still left shell-shocked by Cargill’s surprise attack. B-Fab hit a nice slam on Naomi that got a count of two. Naomi managed to regain some semblance of control as she dodged a kick from B-Fab and hung her in a tree-of-woe position. Naomi then got the victory with a modified kneeling lungblower on B-Fab.

After the match, Naomi tried to call out Cargill, but was met with a pump kick from the target of her enmity. Cargill tried to hit Naomi with Jaded, but security separated the two. Nick Aldis appeared on stage and announced that Cargill and Naomi would face each other at WrestleMania.

The match itself was what it was, a short affair and meant more to set up the Naomi vs. Jade match at WrestleMania. In that regard, job well done. The match itself should be great and it’s always nice to see a women’s feud culminate at WrestleMania and not revolve around a title.

**********

– Damian Priest addressed Drew McIntyre and his failures to remain focused on his goals, as he claimed McIntyre repeatedly screwed himself. He called McIntyre a hypocrite and a “junkie” that gets a high from making cheap-ass jokes every week. Priest challenged McIntyre to face him next week in the ring, as he promised to make McIntyre his victim for WrestleMania.

– Kevin Owens was seen walking backstage in casual clothes and a forlorn expression on his face. We’d hear from him coming up next.

Kevin Owens announces injury

Nick Aldis was in the ring and talked about how that this was the part of his job that he didn’t like, and that there was a fine line of being fine and never coming back again. He introduced Kevin Owens as he wanted the fans to hear from the man himself.

Owens entered without his usual pomp and circumstance and took the microphone. He talked about how in the 25 years he’s spent in the ring, he’s gotten to do amazing things and take care of his family as his result. He said that there was a toll that everyone in the locker room had to pay and that it was time for him to pay that toll. Owens said that he’s been wrestling for the past four months with a severe neck injury, to a point that he needs to take time off for surgery.

Owens said that it was an unfortunate timing as he was looking forward to facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Owens sincerely said that he was sorry and that he didn’t know when he’d ever return to the ring.

Randy Orton’s music interrupted as the Viper walked out just as Owens was getting ready to leave. Owens left the ring afterwards. Aldis broke the bad news to Orton that with Owens’ injury, he no longer has a match for WrestleMania. Orton looked devastated as he hit an RKO on Aldis in response to this news.

It’s been reported that Kevin Owens’ neck injury is indeed a legitimate one and obviously, it’s terrible news. We wish KO a speedy recovery and we can’t wait to see him return fully healthy in the future.

**********

Last Man Standing: Jacob Fatu def. Braun Strowman (Winner Faces LA Knight for the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania)

These two monsters didn’t waste any time as Fatu went after Strowman outside the ring to start us off. In the ring, Fatu dropped Strowman with a running neckbreaker and looked to head up top. Strowman intercepted and tried for a Running Powerslam. Fatu fought out of it and hit running elbow. He went up top once again and hit consecutive jumping moonsaults on Strowman. The referee began her count as Strowman was forced to roll out from the ring just to stay on his feet, which led to a commercial break.

We returned to the match with Fatu in firm control as Strowman responded with a spinebuster that sent Fatu crashing to the canvas. As Fatu tried to roll himself back up, Strowman pulled out a table from under the ring. Strowman set the table against a corner of the ring. Strowman tried to run towards Fatu, but got sent outside the ring. Fatu charged from inside the ring right into Strowman, which sent him over the commentary table.

Fatu sent Strowman into the ringpost and had him in position for a charge into the barricade. Instead, he was met with a chair to the face courtesy of Strowman. With a full head of speed, Strowman ran all around ringside and barreled right into Fatu for a trainwreck-like crash through the barricade. Both men struggled as they barely got themselves back up on their feet. We then went to yet another break in the action.

Things picked up from the break with Strowman and Fatu fighting in the production area within the crowd. Strowman lifted Fatu and hit a mighty suplex onto a set of tables. Both Fatu and Strowman once again struggled to stand up, but they made it before the count of ten. As both Fatu and Strowman made their way back to ringside, both of them could barely remain standing. Strowman got himself back in the ring, but was right in the line of fire for a Fatu running hip attack through the table set up in the ring. Fatu managed to get himself to a vertical base as Strowman failed to stand up, which brough this Last Man Standing match to an end.

Just a fun little Last Man Standing match between two big men. With the victory, we now get Jacob Fatu versus LA Knight for the U.S. Championship at WrestleMania, and it should be a good one. With Fatu getting increasingly over with fans, could this match be the time to give him a title? We’ll soon find out in two weeks.

**********

– We got a recap of Cody Rhodes & John Cena’s confrontation from Raw this past Monday.

– Next Week on SmackDown: Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown; Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet Match (Winners earn Women’s Tag Title Match at WrestleMania 41); Rey Fenix vs. Berto; Damian Priest & Drew McIntyre Face-to-Face

– Paul Heyman was seen waiting for Roman Reigns in the parking lot, and we’re told that Reigns is arriving at “any minute”. After the break, Reigns arrived in his truck and made his way down to the ring without the usual grandeur.

Paul Heyman’s Favor to CM Punk Revealed

Reigns started things off, as per usual, by asking the Chicago crowd to acknowledge him. He asked his Wise Man if CM Punk was in the building. He asked Heyman if Punk was still asking for the favor, and if he should share a secret with Chicago. Reigns said that Punk wouldn’t be back in WWE if it weren’t for him. He took credit for Punk being in the WrestleMania main event, as he called the Chicago crowd “good people, but not very smart.” Reigns said that Punk may have wrestled everywhere, but he wouldn’t have a sniff at the WrestleMania main event if it weren’t for the Tribal Chief. Reigns then called out Punk so that we could finally hear what the favor was.

Instead of the static of “Cult of Personality”, the cry of “BURN IT DOWN!” from Seth Rollins’ theme played, which brought Rollins himself out to these proceedings. Rollins was his usual trollish self as he made his way into the ring with a mic in his hand. After Rollins did his opening spiel, he said that he wasn’t going to miss this for the world as he might’ve not known what the favor was, but he knew it was going to knock Reigns’ socks off. Rollins said that reality has a history of biting Reigns’ in the ass, bringing up The Heist of the Century from WrestleMania 31 and Cody Rhodes beating Reigns last year at WrestleMania 40.

Rollins said that you cannot underestimate or ignore CM Punk, and the reality is that we now have to live with Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 40 as a result. Rollins noted that he took a break and it gave him perspective on two options: you either get left behind or you adapt and control reality.

Reigns responded by calling Rollins untrustworthy and that he was a man of his word, because he made a promise to CM Punk. Rollins said that there was only thing missing: CM Punk himself. That, of course brought out the Chicago Made Punk himself to complete this trifecta.

With a mic already in his hand, Punk said that this was about friendship, legacy, promises made and promises kept. This was about loyalty. He addressed Heyman and that this goes way back to when he took a chance on Punk when nobody did. Punk brought up the time Heyman left the company and how he mistakenly made it about himself, and he asked what he could do for him. Heyman said at the time that when Punk main evented WrestleMania “force them to deal with us”. Punk said that he was going to force Reigns to leave his comfort zone, as he revealed that the favor was that Paul Heyman would be in Punk’s corner at WrestleMania.

Reigns laughed at the idea of Punk’s favor because Heyman would never turn against Heyman because he loves him and is loyal to his Tribal Chief. Reigns asked Heyman to “let this fool down easy”, to which Heyman apparently refused.

Heyman continued to refuse Reigns’ demand, much to the Tribal Chief’s protestations. Reigns threatened Heyman to tell Punk “no”, but Heyman said “no, my Tribal Chief, I can’t do that. As Heyman was being intimidated by Reigns in the corner, Punk got the jump on Reigns and hit a GTS on him. With Reigns out cold, Punk and Rollins stared one another down briefly, as Rollins made his exit. SmackDown closed out with Punk standing tall.

**********

Well, the favor didn’t turn out to be something like a future title match as many were expecting, but I don’t hate the idea of it being Paul Heyman managing CM Punk, especially since this whole thing was kickstarted by Punk doing Heyman a solid by joining the Bloodline WarGames team. In any case, this triple threat match at WrestleMania should be a good one and the intrigue of Heyman cornering Punk should make things interesting.

WWE SmackDown live results: CM Punk, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins sign WrestleMania contract

Posted on March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 by Colin McGuire

A week after their confrontation to close out last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and Seth Rollins are set to appear on Friday’s show from London, England, for a contract signing to make their WWE WrestleMania 41 match official.

The three didn’t say much last Friday as they came face-to-face-to-face as a brawl quickly broke out between everybody. The show went off the air as the pull-apart continued.

After showing up to Raw earlier this week to confront John Cena, undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes will make an appearance.

Two title matches are also on tap as LA Knight will defend his WWE United States title against Braun Strowman who earned the title shot after defeating Jacob Fatu last week via disqualification.

The Street Profits will put their WWE Tag Team Titles on the line as they square off against Pretty Deadly, who earned a title shot earlier this month.

Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of London was shown. Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Michin, Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair and Braun Strowman were shown walking backstage. Rhodes was the final person shown and the camera followed him through the curtain as he made his entrance.

The Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton/Drew McIntyre segment

This was longer than it needed to be, but pretty good, all things considered. It felt less like another beat in the road to WrestleMania and more like a, “Let’s throw the two biggest babyfaces we can out there and hope that carries the first half-hour of the show” situation. It worked in its own way, albeit even if that way happened to veer into being boring occasionally. Drew showing up injected some life into things, but he wasn’t out there long enough to really make a difference. These European crowds have been great for SmackDown because SmackDown is the worst WWE TV show these days, but I can’t say I’m not looking forward to wrestlers not having to soak in random cheers all the time before they talk whenever they grab a microphone. It feels so self-aggrandizing at this point, it’s lost its novelty. Perhaps I’m just grumpy. Perhaps both.

The crowd sang Cody’s song once it ended and then showered him with their own sing-song Cody Rhodes chant. Cody soaked it in and stood in the middle of the ring. Cody then asked London what they wanted to talk about. The crowd broke into a bunch of different chants. Cody said at WrestleMania, he will face John Cena as he goes to break the record and win his 17th world title. Cody said in a few nights he will stand face-to-face with Cena at the same arena. Randy Orton’s music then hit out of nowhere (get it?). Orton made his entrance.

Orton grabbed a microphone and said he wasn’t the sentimental type, but for London, he said, “Screw it.” Orton paused as the crowd chanted “RKO!” Orton turned his attention to Cody and asked him to look at the man he is now along with where he came from. Cue the Cody Rhodes Singalong European Chant (trademark that). Orton talked about how Cody used to “bust his ass” harder than anyone else. Orton said Cody wasn’t treated fairly in a WWE locker room and because of that, Cody left and changed the business singlehandedly when he left. Cody teared up a bunch. The crowd went back to the singalong.

Orton asked the crowd if they remembered Cody facing Seth Rollins a Hell In A Cell. Orton noted how the color purple on Cody’s body that night was a color he’s never seen before. From there, Orton talked about how Cody finished his story against Roman Reigns. Orton said Cody is in charge of his legacy and it’s a privilege to watch it and he essentially said the wrestling business as a whole is thriving 99.9 percent only because of Cody. Orton put his arm around Cody and said he’s “very, very proud of him.”

Orton brought up WrestleMania and said he was going to kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head, he can feel it already. Orton said Cody will beat the hell out of John Cena all up and down the Las Vegas Strip. Orton said after all the dust settles, he’ll want to go after his 15th world title reign. Orton said he wouldn’t kick Cody in the balls, “like some coward,” and instead, Orton will look Cody in the eye and tell Cody that he’s coming for Cody’s title. Drew McIntyre’s music then hit and McIntyre walked out with a microphone. The crowd cheered heavily for Drew.

Drew stood in the entrance way and called Orton and Cody Nepo Babies and it made him sick to see them standing in the ring. Drew asked Orton what he’s done to deserve a title shot. Drew told Orton to get to the back of the line. Drew told Cody he should have listened to Drew, but instead, Cody attacked Drew, and from there, Drew harped on the fact that he warned everybody about John Cena. Drew brought up Damian Priest and walked into the ring. The crowd gave Drew his own singalong chant. Drew said he’d take the belt from Cody if Cody gets through and instead, Drew will take it from Cody.

Drew told Orton that Owens might actually have a point and Orton’s voices know Drew very well. Drew said Orton looks great – absolutely jacked, even. Drew said that was on the outside, but on the inside, he knows Orton’s back is hanging by a thread. Drew walked towards Cody and Cody kicked Drew. Orton went for an RKO, but Drew slid out of the ring to avoid it. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Turns out, Drew McIntyre will now face Randy Orton later in the show.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship [7:55]

The Profits seemed to know their role going into this – nobody was booing Pretty Deadly in their home country and the Profits looked to be more than happy to lean into playing the heel role (which they already kind of/sort of do maybe? Sometimes?). The finish was fun as the crowd really rallied behind Pretty Deadly and then subsequently showed their dissatisfaction once it turned into The Profits going over. It would have meant more if this tag division didn’t feel like such a throwaway division for so long. They play hot potato with the titles, too many teams never actually get wins, and in general … well … it’s a mess. Even so, these four guys showed up and had a fun TV match that was made more entertaining because of the love the crowd showed for Pretty Deadly.

Pretty Deadly got a nice ovation during their entrance. Dawkins and Wilson started the match. Prince soon tagged in and Pretty Deadly took care of Dawkins and Ford. Wilson and Prince posed for the crowd as the Profits rolled outside. The show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Prince and Ford were going at it. Dawkins and Wilson tagged in after a weird moment between Prince and Ford. Dawkins lifted Wilson for the Profits’ finisher, but Wilson worked out of it and clotheslined Dawkins. Prince tagged in and the Pretty Deadly duo did their catapult Codebreaker spot on Dawkins for a two-count.

Dawkins came back and slammed Prince before he tagged Ford. Ford hit a frog splash on Wilson, to took the hit and Prince followed up with a pin attempt, but Ford kicked out. Dawkins tagged in and back-suplexed Prince, but Wilson broke up the pin attempt. All four wrestlers were down. “Pretty Deadly!” chants broke out. Each wrestler was in a corner and all four met int he middle of the ring. Pretty Deadly hit their finisher on Dawkins and it looked like they might get the pin, but Ford broke up the pin attempt. Dawkins lifted Ford and the crowd booed. The Profits hit the Doomsday Blockbuster on Wilson and got the win.

**********

– Footage from earlier today aired and it featured Zelina Vega talking to Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre walked in. A tag match was made between Chance & Carter and Niven & Fyre.

– The WWE Hall Of Fame will now induct the WreslteMania 13 match between Steve Austin and Bret Hart because I guess inducting matches is now a thing (dubbed an “Immortal Moment”). Hart and Austin will be at the ceremony now because of this.

– Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns were shown getting out of a car and walking into the building.

The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) defeated Kayden Carter and Katana Chance [7:01]

A fine-enough match that had a tough time finding a groove. Tessitore noted how we haven’t seen Chance or Carter on SmackDown in something like over a year, so you knew how this would end. Still, Chance and Carter got their signature flashy moves in while Fyre and Niven worked well as a team, considering this was their first bout. The crowd was super behind Green and her crew – to the point that I felt bad for Vega, Chance and Carter by the time all this wound down. Something tell me this won’t be a problem that simply stays in Europe even after the circus returns to the States.

Chance and Fyre began the match. Carter tagged in quick after and the babyfaces worked a series of double-team moves on Fyre until Fyre got an elbow up and tagged in Niven. With Carter and Chance on the outside, Niven hit a Cannonball on Carter and Chance. Niven saluted the crowd and the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Carter was leveling Fyre with a bunch of elbows. Carter landed a big boot on Fyre and followed that up with a springboard leg-drop for a two-count.

Niven tagged in, but Carter realize and pinned Fyre, who was the recipient of an accidental Senton from Niven after Cater moved out of the way. Chance tagged in, Carter dropped Niven and Carter and Chance hit the Keg Stand, but Fyre broke up the pin attempt. Carter hit a splash on Fyre on the outside of the ring. Cater tagged in and Green hopped on the apron to distract the referee. This stifled the momentum of Carter and Chance. As a result, Niven hit a Piper Drive on Carter for the win.

After the match, the heels attacked the babyfaces until Zelina Vega ran out for the save. Vega went for a Destroyer, but Fyre kicked Vega in the face to break things up. Green, Niven and Fyre stood tall.

**********

Braun Strowman defeated LA Knight via DQ [7:07]

The expected outcome, considering how it seems inevitable that we are on one slow march towards a multi-man U.S. title match at WrestleMania. Knight and Strowman aren’t necessarily known for their in-ring work, so this going seven minutes was the right call and in the meantime, Strowman showcased his strength while Knight showcased his resilience. Again. The expected outcome. I’m glad to see Fatu get his heat back, though. Conspicuous by their absences were Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga. Perhaps time will explain why they weren’t there.

The two locked up repeatedly and Strowman got the best of it repeatedly. Knight tried to lift Strowman, but that wasn’t happening. Strowman ultimately landed a high hip-toss for a two-count. Strowman ran at Knight in a corner and hit a splash. Strowman found himself on the outside of the ring and Knight hit two sliding dropkicks through the ropes. Knight then turned into a big boot from Strowman. The show went to a commercial break after that.

Back from the break, the two were back in the ring and Knight tried to lift Strowman, but Strowman wasn’t having it again. Knight hit a bulldog off the second rope to slow things down. Strowman set up for a powerslam, but Knight fought out of it and countered with a back suplex. Knight dropped an elbow on Strowman for a two-count. Knight set up for a BFT, but Strowman pushed Knight away and clotheslined Knight over the top and to the floor. Strowman ripped his shirt off and set up for the Strowman Express, but Strowman instead ran into an elbow from Jacob Fatu to end the match.

After the match, Fatu hit a Samoan Drop on Strowman onto the commentary desk. The action spilled into the ring and Fatu worked over Strowman with headbutts. Fatu went for a hip attack, but Knight re-instered himself into things … but Fatu hit a pop-up Samoan Drop on Knight. Fatu then successfully hit a series of hip attacks on Strowman. Fatu ended the segment by hitting a jump-up moonsault on Strowman. And then another one.

**********

– Jackie Redmond interviewed Jimmy Uso backstage. Redmond referenced Jimmy’s slap on Gunther on Raw. Jimmy said Gunther isn’t unbeatable and he will go Raw and bust Gunther’s ass and then Jey will go to WrestleMania and bust Gunther’s ass. Jimmy walked away and ran into The Miz and Carmelo Hayes. The Miz said Gunther is the main character and Jimmy and Jey will not beat Gunther. Miz said Jimmy will never know what it means to carry the industry and made a threat to Jimmy if Jimmy were to slap Miz. Jimmy faked like he was going to slap Miz and instead said he was going to ask Nick Aldis for a match against Miz later in the show.

– Well, this answers my previous question: Fatu ran into Tonga and Sikoa backstage. Sikoa told Fatu to lower his tone when he speaks to Sikoa. Fatu told them when it comes to Strowman, he will be the last man standing and they better “get in where they fit in.” Fatu said he will bring the U.S. title home to the family – and he’ll do it with them or without them.

– A Naomi vignette aired. Naomi said she always wants to do the right thing. Naomi asked Bianca Belair why her attack on Jade Cargill wasn’t the right thing. Naomi started crying and questioned how Cargill took Naomi’s place. Naomi asked Belair to ask herself who has always had her back. Naomi said it was her and not Jade. Naomi said what she’s learned is you teach people how to treat you and she’s done being pushed to the side and underappreciated. Naomi said moving forward, her message to Cargill is that if she continues to be in Naomi’s way, she strongly advises Cargill to proceed with caution. This was great.

– Cargill was shown talking to Nick Aldis backstage. Aldis told Cargill Naomi wasn’t there and Cargill then ran into Michin and B-Fab, the latter of whom said what Naomi did was trash. B-Fab said Naomi deserves everything that’s coming to her.

– Michin made her entrance for her match with Charlotte, but Naomi popped up out of nowhere and attacked Michin and B-Fab before Charlotte could make her entrance. Naomi ran B-Fab into the crowd barrier. Naomi slammed B-Fab into the announce desk. Jade Cargill’s music hit and Cargill ran out to chase Naomi away. Cargill helped B-Fab to the back. As she was doing so, Charlotte’s music hit and Charlotte and Cargill engaged in a stare down.

Charlotte Flair defeated Michin [8:17]

I’m glad Charlotte gave Michin as much as she gave her here because I was under the impression we were getting a squash after that pre-match attack. Good on Charlotte for allowing Michin to get everything in – including her finisher, which didn’t receive the response the live crowd should have given it … which was, really, just any response at all. I wonder if they did a pre-tape with Tiffy because of how odd the split-screen segment came across last week, what with Charlotte constantly cutting her off and making things feel a bit too real. After the last few weeks, I’m a little surprised Tiffy and Charlotte didn’t have a physical confrontation because that could have made up for last week’s disaster. Onward and upward, I suppose.

Charlotte started the match with a big boot to the recovering Michin and went for a pin, but Michin kicked out. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Michin tried to fire up via a tornado DDT, which was good enough for a two count. Michin ran at Charlotte, but Charlotte got her boot up. Michin came right back with a boot, but missed a Cannonball. Charlotte hit a super-kick and stepped over Michin. Charlotte went to the top, but Michin cut her off and landed a powerbomb for a two-count.

Michin hit a Pele Kick and a running knee for a two-count. Michin tried to suplex Charlotte, but Charlotte elbowed and chopped her way out of it. Michin came back with a back suplex. Michin followed up with a Cannonball that connected and set up for Eat Defeat, ultimately getting it, but Charlotte got her foot on the bottom rope to break up the pin attempt. Michin went for a running knee on the outside, but Charlotte moved and Michin kicked the steel steps. Back inside the ring, Charlotte went to work on Michin’s leg and locked in the Figure Eight for the win.

**********

– Redmond interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage and brought up how hard Charlotte came at Tiffy last week. Tiffy said Charlotte is still so insecure, she wouldn’t let a rookie get a word out last week. Tiffy said if she loses at Mania, she loses to Charlotte, a legend. But if Charlotte loses, she loses to a little girl rookie. Tiffy said she’ll make damn sure that what stays in Vegas is her massive ego. Tiffy said she will walk out of Vegas as the WWE Women’s Champion.

Drew McIntyre defeated Kevin Owens [7:58]

The weirdest thing about this was the fact that it clearly could have been a PLE match with some build behind it – and, to be even more frank, this could have packed more of a punch than whatever McIntyre and Priest are trying to build. And yet, it lasted less than eight minutes on a SmackDown and the finish wasn’t entirely clean, but it’s not like Owens interfered. Orton just took a Claymore Kick and that was that. Interesting. It was fun while it lasted, I guess. One of the things about having no buffer between an early Elimination Chamber and a late WrestleMania is that some of these programs are struggling to stay interesting on a week to week basis. Orton and Owens are getting dangerously close to that line of demarcation.

The two locked up to begin the match and Drew got the best of Orton early on. Orton came back with a series of punches in a corner. Orton then threw Drew into the ring post. The action spilled outside and … wouldn’t you know it … Orton suplexed Drew onto the top of the commentary table to complete Track One of Randy Orton’s Greatest Hits. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show went to a commercial break and Drew had control, complete with some chops. Drew threw Orton into a corner and Orton came out with a clothesline. Orton followed that up with a snap powerslam. With Drew on the apron, Orton hit his draping DDT. Orton got the crowd all types of pumped up for an RKO. Sadly, that didn’t happen because Kevin Owens walked out, sans music or anything. Orton gave Owens his attention and Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Orton to get the win.

After the match, Owens put Orton on the commentary desk and set up for a piledriver, but Orton fought out of it. Orton set up for a punt kick on Owens, but Owens ran through the crowd and got away. Security kept Orton from chasing Owens. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– A Rey Fenix teaser aired and they actually called him “Rey Fenix.” He’ll be on the show next week. Also next week, B-Fab will face Naomi.

Jimmy Uso defeated The Miz [8:37]

What if I told you Jimmy Uso vs. The Miz went 39 seconds longer than Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton on a television show that aires during WrestleMania season in the year 2025? This probably serves as this week’s Exhibit A for SmackDown being in the absolute lowest end of pro wrestling television these days. It seems like each week has one of these Exhibit A’s anymore. I digress. Anyway, the guys worked hard, so good for them. Meanwhile, Andrade sits on the bench. Carmelo Hayes sits on the bench. Give it four weeks and Rey Fenix will be sitting on the bench, too. But The Miz gets nine minutes. Make it make sense and I’ll stop whining.

The two locked up to begin things and Miz went for a chop, but Jimmy ducked and chopped Miz. Jimmy then worked a ground-and-pound before hitting a clothesline. Jimmy chopped Miz, but Miz came back with a boot to the face. Miz went to work on Jimmy’s back and put a knee to the back of Jimmy’s head. Miz went for a knee, but Jimmy moved and clotheslined Miz over the top to the outside. Jimmy set up for a dive, but Miz moved, so Jimmy rolled outside and punched Miz into the timekeeper’s area. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Jimmy clotheslined Miz. Jimmy followed that up with a Samoan Drop. Miz came back with a short-arm clothesline. Miz set up for his finisher, but Jimmy rolled Miz up for a two-count. Miz came back with a kneeling DDT for a two-count. The Miz then hit his Miz Kicks. Miz landed a running boot and got a nice near-fall out of it. Miz connected with a splash in the corner and went for a springboard move, but Miz ran into a super-kick. Jimmy followed that up with an Uso Splash for the win.

After the match, Jimmy took a commentary headset and said he’s coming for Gunther’s ass on Monday. Jimmy said Gunther will salute Big Jim by the end of it all.

**********

– Drew McIntyre ran into Lewis Capaldi backstage and they exchanged pleasantries. Redmond showed up and congratulated Drew on his win. Drew said he didn’t care about other people’s business and when nobody gets involved with his business, he wins. McIntyre said he’s going out on the town and opened the door to leave, but Damian Priest was waiting and Priest brawled with Drew on a car. Everything ended with Priest giving Drew a South Of Heaven to Drew on top of the windshield. Real glass? I kid.

– CM Punk was shown walking backstage and stopped to look at McIntyre reeling on top of the car. Punk smirked and kept walking to the ring.

– A video recapping John Cena’s diatribes on Raw aired.

The Roman Reigns/CM Punk/Seth Rollins contract signing

I loved the last bit with Punk telling Roman this still isn’t the favor he was owed. In fact, I’d probably venture to say that’s the only thing that could save this program between these three wrestlers on their way to WrestleMania. I spent too many words writing a column on another website earlier this week about how WWE has a Roman Reigns problem, and part of that argument dealt with the idea that I don’t think this triple threat will be viewed as anything more than a “chapter in the longer story we are trying to tell between CM Punk and Roman Reigns,” per WWE speak, and that bugs me. Now that this mere “chapter” will officially main event a night of WrestleMania, I can only say that I’m more annoyed by this story, this triple threat, the whole thing. I loved Punk’s emotion here, and I even really liked Reigns’s audacity. Even so, these promos between these three feel rushed and nobody ever feels like they get enough time to talk. It’s a forced situation and one I simply can’t buy into. I’m probably in the minority – and I honestly hate to be so down on all of this – but we have a few weeks left and I’m still not interested in this program. Maybe that will change. We’ll see.

Reigns was out first. Paul Heyman was alongside him. Security flanked them. The show went to a commercial break as Reigns made his way to the ring. When the show returned, the crowd was chanting “OTC!” Heyman gave Reigns a microphone and Reigns smirked. The crowd launched into a Roman Reigns singalong. Reigns smiled and screamed, “London! Acknowledge me!” The crowd complied and sweetened the deal with “OTC!” chants. Reigns said the crowd singalong was beautiful, the way they sang to their Tribal Chief. That inspired the crowd to keep going. Even Heyman joined in. Reigns called himself the biggest star on the planet. Reigns said he was there for two reasons: One, to be acknowledged and two, to sign the contract. Reigns then signed the contract and he said he checked his boxes. Reigns tried to speak more, but Seth Rollins’s music hit and out came Rollins.

The crowd, naturally, kept singing Rollins’s music after it stopped playing. Rollins grabbed a microphone and tried to get Heyman to sing along, too, but Heyman just looked pissed. Rollins laughed into the microphone and said the crowd had beautiful singing voices. Rollins noted how he and Roman have a lot of history in that building they were in. Rollins said back then, they were ready to remake that company in their image. Rollins said there’s been a little bit of love and a whole lot of hate between he and Reigns, but he dare say that he and Reigns accomplished their mission. “CM Punk!” chants started.

Reigns said they died a long time ago and they, in fact, did not accomplish their mission. Reigns said he had done all the work and made the place what it is today. Reigns said he took them to where they are today. Reigns said he was the one who made them desirable to Netflix. Rollins said it’s Reigns’s mindset that makes Rollins always want to screw him. Rollins said Reigns lets the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden. Rollins said Reigns wouldn’t let Rollins finish Punk and now, Rollins has to clean up Reigns’s mess again. Rollins then signed the contract. Punk’s music hit and Punk came out.

Punk stood on the top rope and said, “I have come here to chew bubblegum and sign a contract, and I’m all out of bubblegum.” God bless you, Roddy Piper. Punk sat down immediately and actualyl read through the contract before signing it. Reigns asked Punk if he needed a highlighter. Reigns pushed Punk to sign it. Reigns told Heyman to smarten Punk up. Heyman walked over to Punk and told Punk he knew what he was looking for, and it “was in there – he’s going to close the show at WreslteMania.” Heyman said Punk he will get to live his dream of all dreams and CM Punk will be a WrestleMania main eventer. Punk’s eyes got a litter teary.

Reigns said one man’s dream is another man’s check. Rollins flipped out and said Punk doesn’t deserve it. Rollins said main eventing WrestleMania is sacred and it means more to him than anything. Rollins said Punk doesn’t deserve it and it’s Reigns’s and Heyman’s fault. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Punk wiped tears out of his eyes. Punk thanked London, Chicago, Louisville and the fans who chanted his name for 10 long years. Reigns cut Punk off and said Punk needed to thank his Tribal Chief. The credits rolled and Reigns said punk needed to thank Reigns “the right way.” Punk got down on one knee and said, “Thank you, my Tribal Chief,” for allowing a kid from Chicago to be graced by his presence. Punk mockingly said “Because of you, I will see you in the main event of WrestleMania.” The crowd chanted “You deserve it!” Punk thanked Reigns again, but said that’s also not the favor he was owed. The show then went dark and that was it.

WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Seth Rollins appear

Posted on March 21, 2025March 21, 2025 by Colin McGuire

Roman Reigns will appear on WWE SmackDown for the first time in a long time tonight as he is set to be confronted by Seth Rollins and CM Punk.

Rollins announced the appearance on Raw, which came one week after Reigns got involved in their steel cage match on Raw a week prior to that. It’s expected that WWE will soon announce a triple threat between Reigns, Rollins, and Punk for WrestleMania 41.

Also set for tonight, Jade Cargill will return to in-ring action after a long layoff to face Liv Morgan. The match was set up last week when Morgan taunted Cargill for being attacked by Naomi in an angle that wrote Cargill off TV for months.

Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu will continue their program when they face off one-on-one. Plus, Zelina Vega will take on Piper Niven. Vega made her intentions clear last week when she said she was coming after Chelsea Green’s Women’s United States Championship.

Tonight’s episode will air on same-day tape delay from Bologna, Italy, as it continues WWE’s European tour. Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Bologna, Italy was shown. Jade Cargill, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Braun Strowman, CM Punk, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu walking around previous in the day aired. Randy Orton’s music hit and Orton made his entrance. The crowd was all types of riled up.

The Randy Orton/Kevin Owens segment

A standard opening promo for WWE TV. So much so that there really isn’t much to say about it. We all kind of figured this was where the Orton/Owens story was going, and … well, here we are. I’m kind of surprised there wasn’t another week or two of sneak-attacking, but why delay the inevitable. I get a kick out of Owens doing his fake-sincere bit. He’s such a great actor when it comes to being a bad actor.

The crowd sang along to Orton’s song and then chanted “Randy!” after the song stopped. Before Orton could speak, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked into the entranceway with a microphone. Owens said he was there to tell Orton that Owens was wrong for attacking Orton and hitting him with a piledriver. Owens said Cody and Sami Zayn deserved everything he did to them, but Orton did not. Owens said his anger made him do something he regretted and Orton should be able to relate to that.

Owens said he’s only human and he proposed a truce with Orton. Owens talked about leaving things in the past and said he pulled Melo out of the ring last week to protect Orton from himself. Owens said Orton didn’t want to go back to the Randy Orton who kicks people in the head. Owens said Orton has changed and grown. Owens said they should look to the future and WrestleMania is in the future. Owens proposed Orton teaming with Owens to become tag team champions. Owens said they should have become tag champions already, but their differences got in the way.

Orton responded by saying he should roll out of the ring and beat Owens’s ass all around the arena. Orton said he had never heard Owens admit he was wrong and said Owens could shove his apology up his ass. Orton said Owens deserves to get kicked in the head hard by Orton. Orton followed that up by saying instead of it being “Fight Owens Fight,” it should be “Bitch Owens Bitch.” Orton said he’s glad Owens dropped him on his head because now he hears voices in his head and at Mania, Orton said he will kick Owens’s head clean off his shoulder. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

Damian Priest & Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre & Shinsuske Nakamura [7:44]

This felt oddly short. Maybe it had to do with the commercial break in the middle of it, but these are four of the show’s biggest consistent names (yes, Punk, Roman and Seth are all up later, but these four guys show up on the blue brand each week), so I expected the match to go at least 10 minutes. Alas, it was not to be, and perhaps the whole thing was better off for it. I like Drew getting the best of Priest after the match without Priest really even having a hope spot. I also liked the pre-match brawl if only because that was the only real thing that helped heat up the Priest/McIntyre program as those two march to WrestleMania. In all, though, this was a pretty nothing-happening match.

As McIntyre made his entrance, Priest left the ring and attacked McIntyre in the aisle. Nakamura followed and eventually, hit a splash on all three guys on the outside. The match officially started with Jimmy and Drew and Jimmy getting the best of Drew. Before long, McIntyre came back with a belly-to-belly suplex and the crowd seemed to really be behind Drew, who slowed things down significantly. Nakamura tagged in and tripped Jimmy, throwing him into the commentary table on the outside. Nakamura followed that up with a kick to Big Jim’s head. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Big Jim hit a Samoan Drop on McIntyre and McIntyre tagged in Nakamura. Jimmy continued firing up and kicked Nakamura before getting the hot tag to Priest, who came in and ran Nakamura through the gauntlet. Priest hit his version of Old School on Nakamura, but then ran into a series of kicks from Nakamura. Priest clotheslined Nakamura, but McIntyre broke up a pin attempt. Things broke down and Jimmy kicked McIntyre outside the ring. Nakamura kicked Jimmy and Priest immediately landed South Of Heaven on Nakamura to get the win.

After the match, McIntyre attacked Priest and yelled at him. McIntyre ultimately hit a Claymore Kick on Priest.

**********

– Braun Strowman was shown backstage and LA Knight walked up and said he’d keep his eye out for Strowman in his match later. Strowman said Nick Aldis told him earlier in the day that the winner of Strowman’s match with Fatu later will face Knight for the U.S. title.

– A video recapping the Charlotte/Tiffy program developments from last week aired.

The Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte split-screen interview

WWE does not do these split-screen interviews well and it always feels like the wrestlers struggle to make any of it compelling. At best, you get some heated exchanges that kind of/sort of feel real; at worst, you get two people who feel like they are reading off a teleprompter. Charlotte did her best to shed that assumption by constantly interrupting Stratton, but all it seemed to do was shake Stratton and make Charlotte appear even more annoying than her character probably wanted to be (go-away heat, as the pros say). Two steps forward, one step back for this program. Last week’s brawl between these two was fantastic; this third-rate CNN Crossfire debate was not.

Tessitore conducted the interview and Tiffany started talking, but Charlotte interrupted her, saying the queen speaks first. Charlotte said she always brings out the best in people and that’s why last week was the first time Tiffy looked like a star. Charlotte said she felt sorry for Stratton because she’s delusional in that she thinks she’s on Charlotte’s level. Charlotte said Tiffy can’t compare herself with Charlotte. Stratton said Charlotte used to be one of Stratton’s biggest supporters, but now, Stratton sees the real Charlotte.

Charlotte mocked Stratton saying she almost shed a tear for Tiffy. Charlotte said she’s the only woman in the locker room who will tell Stratton the truth. Stratton said all Charlotte does is find the hottest thing and throw water on it. Charlotte interrupted her and Stratton repeated herself. Stratton said Charlotte is struggling to keep up with the fans that don’t want to take Charlotte back. Stratton said at Mania, she will prove the WWE Universe doesn’t bow to Charlotte anymore and instead, they run on Tiffy Time. That, thankfully, wrapped the interview.

**********

Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu via DQ [9:15]

This probably went longer than it needed to and a finish like that didn’t do the thing any favors. I really hope this isn’t setting up a triple threat between Knight, Fatu and Strowman for the U.S. title at Mania. What’s wrong with a really good one-on-one title fight? WWE seems allergic to that approach anymore. But I digress. The long road towards the Fatu/Sikoa break up seemed to take an accelerated step here and I’m thankful for that. What are the odds those two are still on the same team by the time Mania rolls around?

Strowman backed Fatu into a corner and went for a splash, but Fatu moved and took control. Fatu ran at Strowman and Strowman shoulder-blocked Fatu to the ground. Strowman then ran into a big boot and a back body-drop from Strowman, who followed that up with a clothesline over the top. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and kicked him in the head. The crowd started singing and Strowman conducted the crowd, which was kind of fun. Strowman hit a splash on Fatu and Fatu rolled to the outside. Strowman set up for the Strowman Express, but Fatu threw Strowman into the announce desk. Fatu then hit a leaping clothesline from the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Fatu had control back inside the ring, complete with a super-kick, a Samoan Drop and a Senton for a two-count. Fatu hit a hip attack and a splash in a corner. Fatu set up for another splash, but Strowman followed him and countered. The match then reset. Strowman landed a series of strikes and clotheslines. Fatu slid out of the ring and Strowman hit the Strowman Express on the outside. Strowman rolled Fatu back into the ring and landed a spinebuster.

Tama Tonga showed up and Strowman took care of him, but Solo Sikoa followed and hit a Samoan Spike on Strowman for the DQ finish. After the match, Sikoa and Tonga worked over Strowman and Fatu looked unhappy with his family. Strowman popped up for a second, but Fatu slowed him down with a back elbow. LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran to the ring, where he briefly got the best of everyone until he lost the numbers game. Ultimately, Strowman got up and helped Knight take care of everybody. Turns out, it’ll be Knight vs. Strowman for the U.S. title next week.

**********

– Cathy Kelley interviewed Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez backstage. Morgan said she was mad that Cargill allowed everyone to believe Morgan and Raquel attacked her. Morgan said she was impressed with what Naomi did, but Naomi couldn’t finish the job, so Liv will finish it for her.

– Fatu was walking backstage and he trashed the place. He appeared angry that he lost the match. Sikoa said it looked like Fatu was about to lose and Sikoa said they were just trying to help. Fatu said it wasn’t any of Sikoa’s business and Fatu will now take care of his own business.

Piper Niven defeated Zelina Vega [12:53]

This absolutely did not need 13 minutes and it is this week’s Exhibit A when it comes to why these SmackDowns do not need to be three hours long. Especially if Vega wasn’t going to get the win to get her U.S. title shot, there is no reason on earth, no matter the country – Italy, America, England, Antarctica, whatever – that it should take Niven 13 minutes to beat Vega, someone we never see wrestle on TV anymore and who suffers from a pronounced size disadvantage. I’m all for women’s wrestling, and even more so for women to get more time on WWE’s main TV shows (NXT has become THE women’s wrestling show in America and it’s great), but this didn’t make sense. And it wasn’t even really a good match to boot.

Vega slapped Niven and Niven ran Vega into a corner. Niven went for an elbow drop while Vega was on the ground, but Zega moved and ran Niven into a corner. Niven came right back with a series of power moves. Vega went outside and tried to trip Niven from the outside in an awkward spot. Vegan then worked a sleeper hold. Niven shook her off and stomped on Vega. Niven went to the second rope, but Vega pulled Niven off the rope and landed a series of strikes on Niven. Vega jawed at Green and Niven took advantage of that by slamming Vega, who sold back pain as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Niven went for a clothesline, but Vega countered into a roll-up for a quick pin attempt. Niven shook that off and ran Vega into a corner. Niven rag-dolled Vega all around the ring. Niven worked a Million Dollar Dream until Vega managed to get out of it. Niven then headbutted Vega. Niven lifted Vega, but Vega elbowed her way out of it. Niven ran into a boot from Vega, but Niven then lifted Vega, who slipped into a choke/sleeper hold. Niven backed into a corner to break it.

Vegan stretched Niven with an Octopus and then rolled Niven up for a two-count. Vega landed a back elbow and followed it up with a Meteora to the back of Niven’s head. Vega landed a double-knees from the second rope for a near-fall. Vega hit a 619 and got a good near-fall out of it. Green stood on the apron and Vega elbowed Green off the apron. Vega went for another 619 and had to kick Fyre out of the way, which allowed Niven to hit a running splash on Vega for the pinfall victory.

**********

– A recap of the John Cena/Cody Rhodes stuff on Raw aired.

– Jade Cargill was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. Cargill said after she’s done with Liv Morgan, her eyes will be on Naomi and what she’s going to do to Morgan is only a preview of what she’ll do to Naomi.

– A spooky teaser aired. Do with that what you may.

Liv Morgan defeated Jade Cargill [10:56]

This was really pretty good and probably the best singles match Cargill has had in WWE (not that she’s had a bunch). Morgan is so good as a bratty heel and Cargill seems inspired these days. That combination made for a match that exceeded my expectations. Cargill still doesn’t seem like she wants to fully buy into being a babyface, but it’s easy to see how hard she’s trying to accept it. I don’t know, friends. She just seemed more comfortable and confident in AEW. No, I’m not your resident tribalistic pro wrestling television reviewer; I’m just someone who sees a great talent appear to have trouble adapting to her surroundings. Perhaps I’m misreading the whole thing, but even if I am, I can’t be alone in that observation? Maybe? Either way, this was good and I’m glad to see Naomi get one up on Cargill at this point because the feud felt lopsided with their first couple interactions since Cargill has been back.

The match started with Morgan running into a big boot from Cargill. Morgan rolled to the outside and Cargill followed her out there. Cargill turned her attention to Raquel and Liv tried to take advantage, but Cargill wouldn’t have it. Cargill threw Liv around and rolled her back into the ring where Liv went for her finisher early. Cargill, again, wouldn’t have it. Cargill hit a fallaway slam and Morgan rolled to the outside as Cargill posed. Morgan and Raquel started to walk towards the back, saying the match was over. Cargill chased them up the entranceway and dragged Morgan back to the ring.

Cargill ran at Morgan, but Morgan moved. It didn’t matter much because Cargill rebounded with a powerbomb for a two-count. Raquel hopped on the apron and distracted Cargill. Morgan took advantage and hit a Backstabber on Cargill. Morgan then threw Cargill into a ring post and Cargill found herself on the outside of the ring. From there, the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Morgan had control, working a choke, but Cargill backed Morgan into a corner to try and work out of it. All of this led to Morgan attempting the Three Amigos – and successfully executing it. Morgan then kicked Cargill in the head and went for her finisher, but Cargill caught Liv and just sort of threw her across the ring in a German Suplex manner. Cargill fired up and hit a spinebuster. Cargill slammed Morgan and got a two-count out of it.

Naomi showed up out of nowhere and hopped on the apron to distract Cargill. Morgan tried to take advantage of it, but Cargill hit a back-breaker. Naomi hopped back on the apron and hit Cargill in the head with a tag title as the ref was distracted by Raquel. Morgan followed up with the ObLIVion and got the win. Naomi then entered the ring and beat the hell out of Cargill. Naomi mocked Cargill’s pose and ran Cargill off the apron and onto the commentary table. Naomi taunted Cargill. Naomi kept mocking Cargill’s poses to end the whole ordeal.

**********

– Drew McIntyre was interviewed by Cathy Kelly as he left the building. McIntyre said he didn’t start stuff with Priest, but he “sure as well end it.” McIntyre said Priest was always there to pick Drew’s bones like a vulture every time Drew was knocked down over the last year. Drew said all he does is tell the truth and nobody can poke holes in his logic. Drew said Priest can find him in London next week. Drew kept walking and ran into Seth Rollins, who smirked, giggled and walked away.

– Footage of The Street Profits winning the tag titles last week aired.

The Street Profits segment

“You deserve it!” chants broke out as the Profits stood in the ring with microphones. Montez Ford spoke first and said for the first time in four years, the Profits were WWE tag champs. Dawkins said it was “about damn time.” Dawkins said for the past four years, a lot of doubt was creeping in. More “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Dawkins said holding the titles now made everything worth it. Ford said for the past four years, he’s known he can always count on his brother. The Profits then did their secret handshake.

Legado Del Fantasma’s music hit and Santos Escobar walked out with Los Garza. Escobar said things in a foreign language that really got the crowd pumped up. Escobar said the Profits finally captured gold and their moment on this night was beautiful. Escobar said the title reign would end abruptly. He said Los Garza were “pissed” and they were ready to take their titles. Pretty Deadly’s music then hit and Wilson and Prince walked out. Wilson reminded everyone how his team earned the ability to call themselves No. 1 contenders. Escobar said Los Garza would not step aside for Pretty Deadly.

Escobar yelled at Pretty Deadly to stay out of it. Ford chimed in and told everyone to settle down. Ford said Pretty Deadly already have a tag title shot, but Los Garza looks like they want to get in a fight tonight. As such, Ford said Los Garza can have their tag title match. Ford and Dawkins did their “We want the smoke” catchphrase, a referee ran to the ring and it appears Los Garza vs. The Street Profits will happen after the break.

**********

– A teaser for someone who looks an awful lot like Rey Fenix aired.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Los Garza (Berto & Angel) to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship [13:11 of TV time]

You know what? Los Garza are really starting to grow on me. They work hard consistently and they seem to mesh with all the teams wrapped up in this SmackDown tag division nonsense in some way or another. This was no exception. It was a good first match as tag champs – even if the notion that Pretty Deadly won their right to get the first tag title shot was essentially thrown away just because. The Profits were over as all get out and I think Ford is onto something with that little pump-arm dance (I have no idea what the technical term for that might be). In all, this was a worthy match on a show where perhaps not all the matches were particularly worthy of what they were given.

The match was joined in progress and Ford had the upper hand on Angel. Berto tagged in and gained control for his team via a couple tough chops. Angel tagged back in and the two hit a pair of double-team moves. Angel did his ripping-his-pants-off gimmick. Berto tagged in and both heels put the boots to Ford. Angel ran at Ford, but Ford moved. Berto tagged in, but it didn’t matter because Dawkins received the hot tag and cleaned house. Dawkins ran the ropes and Escobar pulled down the top rope, so Dawkins flipped over the top. Berto followed that up with a dive through the ropes. Los Garza celebrated as the show went to another commercial break.

The show returned and Angel had control over Dawkins. Berto tagged in and hit a splash on Dawkins before Angel tagged in and kicked Dawkins. Angel lifted Dawkins and tagged in Berto, who completed the Garza Special on Dawkins, but Ford broke up the pin attempt. Dawkins started to fight back and slammed Berto to slow things down. For then received the hot tag. Ford worked over Both Angel and Berto with a series of punches and clotheslines. Ford went to the top, missed a splash attempt, but came back with a spinebuster on Berto for a two-count.

Ford went back to the top, but Angel cut him off. Berto and Angel went to the top, too, and went for a double-team move off the top, but Ford landed on his feet. Berto and Angel looked Shocked. The crowd went nuts. Dawkins reinserted himself into the match and Ford hit a super-plex on Berto for a two-count. Dawkins and Angel tagged in. Dawkins slammed Angel and back-body-dropped Berto over the top, to the outside. Escobar hopped on the apron and Dawkins punched Escobar. Dawkins tagged in Ford and Ford hit a frog splash on Angel for the win.

**********

– A black car pulled up to the arena and Paul Heyman hopped out of it.

– Pretty Deadly ran into #DIY while walking upstairs. Next week, it’ll be Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits for the tag titles. Ciampa said next week they will make sure they beat the Profits to become tag champs and in return, Ciampa said, #DIY should get the first shot at Pretty Deadly’s titles. In response, Pretty Deadly said, “No boy!” Motor City Machine Guns showed up and welcomed #DIY to the back of the line and essentially challenged #DIY to a tag match.

– Next week, as previously stated, the Profits will take on Pretty Deadly in London. Braun Strowman will take on LA Knight for the U.S. title. Those were the only two matches advertised for next week. Roman Reigns made his entrance for the final segment alongside Paul Heyman.

The Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins/CM Punk segment

Eh, this does nothing for me. I’d love to say it did, but it just doesn’t. All three guys could be utilized better at WrestleMania and while they’ll try to heat this up in the coming weeks, I can’t buy into the fact that this deserves the attention it’s getting. In some ways, it’s a makeshift program, one thrown together a little late in the Mania Season game, based solely on star power and little else. As for this here tonight, the brawl was fine, but if we’re giving out 25-minute talking segments these days, I would have preferred to see these guys roast each other that way over them all hitting their big moves and periodically pointing at a dumb sign hung in the rafters. We’ll see how it unfolds. For now, I can’t say I’m fully behind this booking decision. Then again … that’s just one person’s opinion. So it goes.

Reigns made his entrance first and the crowd showered him with chants. Reigns soaked them in and there were only 11 minutes left until the top of the hour. Reigns shouted “Bologna” and told the crowd to acknowledge him. The crowd went nuts. Reigns said he loves them and that’s why he wanted to tell everyone what was on his mind. Reigns said CM Punk screwed him at the Royal Rumble and because of that, Reigns screwed Punk on Raw last week. Reigns said Rollins tried to kill Reigns at the Rumble but that was OK because last week at the Garden, Reigns tried to kill Rollins.

Reigns said he came a long way to be there and he’d be there another 15 or 20 minutes and if anyone wanted to confront him, they should let him know. Seth Rollins’s music hit and the crowd went nuts. Out came Rollins and he conducted the crowd as the crowd sang his theme. Rollins told Reigns that he messed up because he doesn’t understand how dangerous CM Punk is and Reigns should have left Rollins finish CM Punk when he had the chance. Rollins said he gets it – it’s never been about him because it’s always been about Rollins and Reigns. Rollins said he and Reigns cannot coexist in the same space at the same time.

Rollins said the story of Roman and Seth has a lot of pages already written and it’s time they write another chapter. Rollins began to take off his jacket and Punk’s music hit. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Punk made his way to the ring. Reigns looked angry as he stood in the ring. Rollins looked disgusted and turned his back to both guys. Punk winked at Heyman and stared at Rollins and Reigns. Punk picked up a microphone and stood on the top rope. The crowd was really loud.

Punk said Reigns or Rollins has never beaten him without the other one’s help because neither of them can’t. Punk reminded Reigns that in Royal Rumbles, it’s every man for himself, and Punk “saved his family’s ass at War Games.” Punk reminded Heyman that he owes Punk a favor. Punk said Heyman delivered Reigns on a silver platter and Reigns looked confused as he stared at Heyman. Punk attacked Reigns. Rollins hopped in. The three wrestlers brawled. Officials and referees ran out to try and separate everybody. Punk stood on the commentary table and was fired up. Punk pointed at Reigns and Rollins and then the WrestleMania sign. Heyman yelled, “Oh, no!” The brawl then continued. Rollins hit a suicide dive on everyone and pointed at the Mania sign. Reigns bashed everyone with the steel ring steps and pointed at the Mania sign himself. The show went off the air as the brawl continued. It was about three minutes past the top of the hour.

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody on Miz TV, tag title match

Posted on March 14, 2025March 14, 2025 by Colin McGuire

After appearing on both SmackDown and Raw over the past week to address John Cena’s attack on him at Elimination Chamber, Cody Rhodes will be the guest on what is being listed as a “special edition” of Miz TV tonight.

Also on tap, #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins). The winners of the match will eventually face Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson), who won the number one contender spot in a Triple Threat match last week.

Randy Orton will return to ring action tonight when he faces Carmelo Hayes. The match was set up in a backstage segment last week that featured Nick Aldis. Also returning to singles action will be Charlotte Flair, who squares off against B-Fab. Flair will face Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania next month.

Tonight’s episode will air on same-day tape delay from Barcelona, Spain, as it kicks off WWE’s European tour. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Establishing shots of outdoor Barcelona opened the show as Joe Tessitore narrated. The crowd was hot as hell inside the building.

– Footage of Cody, Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, The Street Profits, #DIY, Paul Heyman and Randy Orton walking backstage aired. LA Knight received an introduction and Knight walked to the ring for the first segment.

The LA Knight segment

These European crowds for the next couple weeks might actually make SmackDown watchable – my God, this crowd is as hot as the deepest part of the sun – but I digress. This was a fine opening promo and the thing about crowds that don’t see Knight in person as often as American crowds do is that when they see Knight, boy, they lose their minds. Knight’s heat has been kind of/sort of waning in recent weeks, but that was most definitely not the case here. Is the U.S. belt at the center of the multi-man secondary title match at Mania? Or will that go to the Intercontinental Championship? Or both? Or neither? Either way, this was a fun way to start the program.

Knight stood in the ring with a microphone and the crowd went absolutely nuts. Knight soaked in the cheers and it even kind of looked like he might get emotional for a second. Knight started with a few “Yeahs!” before getting to the “Let me talk to ya!” line. Knight said they were making history tonight as it was the first SmackDown in Barcelona. The crowd erupted again. Knight smirked. Knight said he might be the U.S. champ, but he’s worldwide. “You deserve it” chants began.

Knight said it was too long that he stood there without the U.S. title, but now the belt is back in the hands of who it should be – LA Knight. Jimmy Uso’s music then hit and Big Jim walked out with a microphone, looking angry. Uso stepped into the ring and said he wasn’t out there to congratulate Knight; he was out there to tell Knight he was desperate. Uso said his road to WrestleMania is getting thin and the only way he might get there is if he challenges Knight for the U.S. title in Barcelona.

Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa walked out with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Sikoa walked to the ring and said if there’s anybody who deserves a U.S. title shot, it’s Jacob Fatu. Sikoa recalled how Knight stole a pin from Fatu to get a shot at the U.S. title. Sikoa called Jimmy the “biggest failure of the family.” Uso said the biggest failure he ever had was trusting Sikoa. Fatu and Sikoa got on the apron and ultimately, Fatu, Sikoa and Tonga put the boots to Knight and Jimmy. Braun Strowman’s music hit and Strowman ran to the ring, where he cleared the ring.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis walked out and said he could see that there were three people on each side and a six-man tag-team match would start now. He said that after he spoke in Spanish for a minute. The crowd loved it. The show went to a commercial break.

**********

LA Knight, Jimmy Uso & Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu [10:11 of TV time]

A crowd-pleasing opening six-man that felt more like a house show main event than a TV opener, but we are in Spain, and international TV tapings feel more like house shows than they do typical TVs anyway (plus red-hot crowds, of course). Hey. I don’t make the rules. The brawls after the match were the most noteworthy things. It appears Knight and Sikoa are on a path together while the Stroman/Fatu program feels like it might be wearing out its welcome. Fatu always stands tall and the novelty of the two going at it has faded just a little bit. Still – and as is usually the case – Fatu looked great, even if the schtick is becoming repetitive. And that means something. I just hope they get Fatu out of this in time for him to hop into something more interesting for WrestleMania. I won’t hold my breath.

The match was joined in progress and Sikoa beat down Jimmy, but Jimmy turned that around quickly. Sikoa came back with a Spinning Solo to slow things down. Fatu tagged in, much to the delight of the live crowd. Tonga tagged in quickly and kept the offense on Jimmy. Sikoa then tagged back in and hit a hip attack. Fatu tagged in and Jimmy landed a step-up enziguri. Knight then received the hot tag and Knight hit Fatu with a jumping neck-breaker. Knight followed that up with a DDT, but that was good for only a one-count.

Fatu fired up and yelled at the crowd. Fatu went for a splash in the corner, but Knight moved and went to the second rope, where he executed his jumping leaping elbow from the top. Knight set up for a BFT, but Fatu worked out of it and hit Knight with a jumping back elbow. The show then went to another commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa was working over Knight. Sikoa went for a hip attack, but Knight moved and ultimately landed a back supelx to get the hot tag to Strowman, who came in and ran everyone over. With the heels on the outside of the ring, Strowman successfully got in his Strowman Express. Knight dropkicked Sikoa and Jimmy landed a splash onto Fatu on the outside. Inside the ring, Strowman hit his running powerslam on Tonga and that was good enough for the win.

After the match, Sikoa ran in and his a Samoan Spike on Strowman. Knight then fought Sikoa through the crowd and to the back. Fatu popped up and super-kicked Uso. Fatu landed a back elbow, a series of headbutts and a moonsault on Strowman. Make that two moonsaults on Strowman. Make that three moonsaults on Strowman. Fatu then got a running head start from the entrance way and crashed Strowman through the barricade into the timekeeper’s area. Strowman sold pain while Fatu stood up and walked his way to the back.

**********

– A video package on the drama that unfolded between Naomi, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill last week aired.

– Cathy Kelley sat down with Cargill in the empty arena from earlier in the day. Cargill said she’s feeling good and ready to go. Cargill called Naomi pathetic because Cargill didn’t need a handout. Kelley asked Cargill how Cargill knew Naomi was the attacker. Cargill got emotional and said all she could recall was being hit in the back and being thrown on the car. Cargill said as everything got dark, she watched as Naomi ran away. Cargill said Naomi attacked Cargill’s loyalty, integrity and heart. Cargill was mad that Belair tagged with Naomi like nothing happened. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walked by and yelled at Cargill, reiterating they didn’t attack Cargill. Morgan taunted Cargill and Cargill challenged Morgan to a match next week. Morgan accepted, laughed at Cargill and walked away, calling Cargill a “loser idiot.” Cargill then stormed out of the interview.

– B-Fab was shown walking backstage and spoke Spanish. B-fab said she was there to build her own legacy and that will start by beating Charlotte Flair. B-Fab then made her entrance.

Charlotte Flair defeated B-Fab [9:06]

The match was fine, and I’m happy B-Fab got some offense in, even if that meant the match went a little bit longer than it probably should have (the most influential booker of WWE TV matches are not Paul Levesque; they are commercial breaks). The really story, like the first match, was what happened afterwards. The brawl was very good. That’s two very good WWE pull-aparts recently (Punk and Rollins being hte other), which isn’t common, so I’m glad to see the company leveling up on that oftentimes tired pro wrestling trope. Tiffy and Charlotte showed great fire and it felt like the post-match brawl lasted almost as long as the actual match that preceded it (no, I’m not complaining). It finally feels like Charlotte and Tiffy have heated up their program to the next temperature. There’s still a ways to go, but this was a good step froward.

he two soaked in crowd chants before locking up. It was about 45 seconds until the two did just that. Charlotte backed B-Fab into a corner and backed away before running the ropes. They locked up again and Charlotte took B-Fab down with a shoulder block. Charlotte chopped B-Fab repeatedly. Charlotte went for one more and B-Fab moved and clotheslined Charlotte. B-Fab slammed Charlotte and got a one-count out of it. Charlotte then rolled to the outside and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Charlotte did the Stephanie Vaquer double-leg face-busting thing. Charlotte posed, but then B-Fab kicked Charlotte. B-Fab fired up and landed a vertical suplex on Charlotte. B-Fab followed that up with a back kick, but Charlotte came back with a boot of her own. B-Fab responded with a pump kick for a two-count. Charlotte came back with her version of a super-kick and a Natural Selection. Charlotte gloated and worked a Figure-Eight for the win.

After the match, Charlotte wouldn’t release the hold and Tiffany Stratton’s music hit. Stratton ran out and she brawled with Charlotte as the crowd loudly chanted “Tiffy Time!” A big old ton of officials ran out to break it up. Charlotte, at one point broke away and tackled Tiffy. Officials restored order. Tiffy pulled Charlotte to the outside to keep brawling, but the officials kept keeping the two apart. Tiffy got loose again and went at Charlotte. After some more separation, Charlotte jumped off the commentary table onto Tiffy. They broke up again, but then Tiffy landed a flip dive onto Charlotte and all the officials. Tiffy was finally dragged tot he back by the officials.

**********

– A Drew McIntyre vignette aired. Drew recalled all the different ways he’s been screwed, which included Drew losing the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. He also mentioned Clash At The Castle and Money In The Bank and CM Punk’s role in all of the screwing. Finally this year’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber were brought up and Drew claimed Damian Priest was the reason he was screwed during those events.

– An AJ Styles vignette aired.

– Miz TV was about to start, but Charlotte and Tffy brawled back into the entranceway. It was great. The commitment the bookers are giving to this is starting to get really good. The whole thing ended with a Senton from Tiffy from top of the entranceway video screen onto Charlotte.

– Cody made his entrance for Miz TV and before a “Whoa!” Miz cut Cody’s music. Cody entered the ring and punched Miz before hitting him with a CrossRhodes. Cody said he didn’t want to talk to The Miz or anybody; instead, he wanted to talk to John Cena, so next Monday in Brussels, he plans on doing just that. So much for Miz TV.

– Footage of Aldis talking to Nakamura from earlier today aired. Damian Priest walked into the frame while Nakamura said he wanted a rematch with LA Knight. Nakamura spoke to Priest in a foreign language and Priest spoke to Nakamura in a foreign language, saying he was looking for a fight. Aldis made Nakamura vs. Priest an official match. Priest’s entrance music then began and it looks like we are going to that match right now.

– A teaser for a new wrestler aired and the streets is saying it’s for Rey Fenix.

Damian Priest defeated Shinsuske Nakamura via DQ [9:26]

Here we are, three-for-three when it comes to the most interesting things happening after an actual match. The McIntyre post-match attack packed more of a punch than the match Priest had with Nakamura, but the wrinkle of having Nakamura join in on the Priest attack made things just interesting enough to say this was worthwhile. Give credit where it’s due: McIntyre and Priest are trying their damndest to heat their program up on the way to WrestleMania. This was a tiny step forward, but not nearly the leap that Charlotte and Tiffy had earlier. In the meantime, at least there weren’t steps backwards and that’s worth celebrating.

The two soaked in some chants after the bell rang and then traded control. Nakamura quickly had control, but Priest came back by clotheslining Nakamura over the top and to the outside. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Nakamura was working a chin lock on Priest. Priest fired up, and caught Nakamura for a slam. Priest followed up with a Broken Arrow and the action spilled to the outside, where Priest threw Nakamura on top of the commentary table.

Back inside the ring, Priest set up for Old School and did his version of it, complete with a cross-body. Priest got the crowd behind him, but Nakamura countered whatever Priest was going for and Nakamura tried an arm-bar. The two traded strikes until Priest landed a strong lariat. Priest set up for his finisher, but Drew McIntyre showed up and distracted Priest. Nakamura took advantage of it, but ran into a South Of Heaven. Priest went for a pin, but Drew attacked Priest and that ended the match.

After the match, Priest and McIntyre brawled inside the ring. Drew eye-gouged Priest and Nakamura hit a Kinshasa on Priest. Nakamura left the ring and Drew smirked. Drew then went to work on Priest. Loud “CM Punk!” chants broke out. Drew threw Priest to the outside and ran Priest into the crowd barrier multiple times. Drew then ran the ring steps into Priest’s head. Drew walked to the back … or at least started to, before running back into the ring, where Priest stood, and hit Priest with a Claymore Kick. Drew shouted at Priest as Priest lay motionless. Drew then actually walked to the back.

**********

– Cathy Kelley interviewed #DIY backstage. Ciampa said SmackDown has the greatest tag division in all of the business because #DIY is on top. Gargano said the Profits are better because they’ve worked with #DIY. Gargano said Barcelona will find out that the best tag team in the world is #DIY. Ciampa then asked Kelley how they say “moment of silence” in Spanish. Motor City Machine Guns walked into the frame and reminded the heels about what they did to win the tag titles.

– Randy Orton was shown walking backstage and the crowd got really loud.

– FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal was shown in the crowd.

– Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre were interviewed by Kelley backstage. Green touted herself as the most dangerous women’s U.S. champion in history. Green called Fyre her secret weapon and now Green’s administration is in full force. Zelina Vega showed up and Niven got in the way, saying if Vega wanted to get to Green, she had to get through Niven. Vega said next week, she’ll face Niven and that will secure her opportunity to win the U.S. title.

Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes [10:52]

Orton stuck out his hand for a handshake and Melo teased Orton as he didn’t return the favor. Orton then went to work on Melo and threw him into the ring post. Orton then suplexed Melo onto the commentary table and posed as the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Melo had the upper hand and worked on Orton’s leg. Melo chop-blocked Orton and got a two-count. Orton came back and clotheslined Melo before landing his snap powerslam.

Melo went for a springboard move and Orton caught him to landed a wild powerslam for a great near-fall. Orton set up for his draping DDT and hit it. Orton played to the crowd, which was more than happy to play their part as they chanted “RKO!” Melo rolled to the apron to shut it down. Melo landed a neck-breaker over the top rope on Orton. Melo went to the top and missed Nothing But Net, but Melo came back with a springboard DDT for a two-count.

Melo went to the top, but Orton cut Melo off. The two traded blows with Orton getting the best of it. Orton followed it up with a super-plex from the second rope. The crowd chanted “RKO!” Orton set up for it, but Melo denied it and hit a First 48, but Orton no-sold it and hit the RKO for the win. After the match, Orton stood Melo up and tried for another handshake, but Melo pushed Orton away … so Orton RKO’s Melo again. The crowd wanted to see it again and Orton set up for the Punt Kick, but Kevin Owens pulled Melo away. Owens punched Orton and then ran through the crowd to get away from Orton.

**********

– Sikoa, Fatu and Tonga were shown talking backstage. Fatu cut a promo and yelled at Strowman. Fatu challenged Strowman to a match next week on SmackDown.

– Gunther made his entrance in his wrestling gear, but the show went to a commercial break before Gunther got to the ring.

– Gunther said the “road to WrestleMania in Europe starts tonight in Europe.” As the greatest European wrestler of all time, Gunther said as he called himself the greatest European wrestler of all time, he wanted everyone to know he’d rather be in Madrid. Gunther turned his attention to Jey Uso, but moved off him quickly to call out A-Kid (Axiom), who is from Spain. Gunther then introduced Axiom … and Axiom actually made his entrance for a match.

Gunther defeated Axiom [9:24]

I loved this. I have no idea what anyone else thinks and I did my best to avoid spoilers throughout the day, so maybe I’m in the minority, but I loved this. Gunther gave Axiom so much offense. As in. So. Much. Offense. And while the result wasn’t really in question, those false-finishes were a joy to watch as that red-hot crowd walked with them every step of the way. It’s great to see Axiom get some homecoming flowers, but send a bouquet to Gunther, too, for knowing the role, playing it perfectly, making Axiom shine, and still look like a guy who is inevitably impossible to beat. This was one of the best things on SmackDown in recent memory, even if it is the product of The Rare International TV Taping Gimmick. I just loved all of this.

Gunther threw Axiom around early on, but Axiom never backed down. Gunther went for a pair of chops, but each time, Axiom ducked them and landed chops of his own. Gunther looked annoyed and the crowd went crazy. Loud chants broke out, but I have no idea what they were saying. Axiom went to Gunther’s arm and followed up with some kicks to the face … until Axiom ran into a chop from Gunther, who then posed and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Gunther tried to rip Axiom’s mask off, but Axiom countered and hit a shotgun dropkick from the top rope. Gunther chopped Axiom, but Axiom came back with some chops and kicks of his own. Gunther lifted Axiom, but Axiom countered with a roll-up … but Gunther hit a dropkick and a powerbomb for a great near-fall and the live audience went crazy. Gunther went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. Axiom actually hit a Rana from the top rope and followed it up with a Golden Ratio for a great near-fall.

Wade Barrett was losing his voice while screaming over all this. Gunther chopped the hell out of Axiom, but Axiom kept kicking Gunther. Axiom tried to stretch Gunther, but Gunther countered with a powerbomb and a hell of a lariat. One more powerbomb was enough to get Gunther the win. After the match, Gunther worked a sleeper hold until some referees broke it up.

**********

– A video recapping the Rollins/Punk cage match from RAW aired.

The Paul Heyman segment

Eh. The crowd didn’t care as much as Heyman thought they should – that was clear. But in reality, he was out there to sell them a video game and let them in on the secret that they wouldn’t see Roman Reigns tonight despite the fact that they have been randomly chanting “OTC!” all night. It’s a tough spot to be in, but Heyman did the best he could.

Heyman was standing in the ring and said he’d hype the crowd on two things. Heyman said he’d keep it short and sweet and that today is officially “Roman Reigns Day” because today is the release of the WWE 2K25 video game. Heyman said he was sure everyone would go home and play the video game. That was item No. 1. Item No. 2 was that some people had a problem it was “Roman Reigns Day.” One of the people who had that problem was CM Punk. The crowd responded with “CM Punk!” chants.

Heyman said that unfortunately, it’s not CM Punk Day; it’s Roman Reigns Day. Heyman said it will also never be Seth Freakin Rollins Day. The crowd responded by singing Seth’s theme song. Heyman said he hates that song and if anyone has a problem with any of this, then they could say it straight to the face of their Tribal Chief next week in Italy because Roman Reigns will appear on SmackDown. Heyman said it’s not a prediction; it’s a spoiler. Heyman threw the mic and walked out of the ring.

**********

– Next week, Roman Reigns will return. Also, Jade Cargill will battle Liv Morgan. Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven. Braun Strowman is set to go one-on-one with Jacob Fatu. Or, at least these are the things that are booked

– The Street Profits were shown walking to the ring and ran into Legado Del Fantasma. Santos Escobar wished them luck. Montez yelled for Barcelona and cut a promo on their way to the ring. Ford said all they’ve heard is noise and tonight, they’re going to wake everybody up. Dawkins said tonight, they will walk out as the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Ford and Dawkins shouted that they want the smoke.

– Jimmy Uso and Gunther had a confrontation backstage before the main event.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions [11:51]

Good for the Profits. In a quick moment of hindsight, it sort of just now struck me that the best option for the SmackDown tag champs has always been the Profits. MCMG just couldn’t get over as hard as they tried. #DIY did their best to elevate the titles, but they still felt second-rate with Gargano and Ciampa holding them. Pretty Deadly? No. Los Garza? Double no. The Profits actually have experience being actual WWE stars, so why not them? I like the decision and I liked the match. Good action. Nice false-finishes. Really solid work all-around from all four men. Most importantly, I hope this puts to bed the idea of a 4,2010-man tag match at ‘Mania for the titles the Profits just won, if only because it seems like the idea of the tag division being one hot mess might be stabilized now that Ford and Dawkins have the belts.

Dawkins and Ciampa started the match. They went back and forth for the first 45 seconds until Ford tagged in and hit an assistant moonsault for a two-count. Ciampa rolled to the outside and Ford tagged in Dawkins, who ran over to punch Gargano. Upon rolling back into the ring, Ciampa put the boots to Dawkins. Gargano tagged in, but Dawkins caught Gargano during an attempted DDT and slammed. Ford tagged in and clotheslined Gargano and kicked Ciampa on the apron. With Ford on the apron, Gargano pushed Ford off it and the show went to a commercial break after that.

Back from the break, Ciampa went to lift Ford for a Fairytale Ending, but Ford stopped him and back-dropped him. Gargano tagged in for a split second and then Ciampa tagged back in, but Ford got the hot tag to Dawkins, who hit a back elbow on Ciampa and followed that up with a spinning splash in a corner. Dawkins lifted Ciampa and tagged in Ford, who hit an assisted backdrop for a near-fall. Ford went to the top and tried a 450 splash, but Ciampa got the knees up. Gargano tagged in and #DIY hit a Shatter Machine on Ford. Dawkins broke up the pin attempt.

Things broke down and all four men traded moves. Gargano ran into a knee from Ford and that slowed things down. Dawkins tackled Ciampa into the timekeeper’s area. Back in the ring, Dawkins lifted Gargano on his shoulders and Ford went to the top, but Ciampa pushed Ford off the top. Still, Ford took care of Ciampa on the outside and then the Profits hit their finisher on Gargano, but Ciampa broke things up at the last tenth of a second. Ciampa went back to the outside and Dawkins tagged in and went to the top, but Ciampa slowed Dawkins down. Even so, Dawkins missed a Swanton and Ciampa hit a Fairytale Ending on Dawkins for a very good near-fall. Gargano tagged in and accidentally super-kicked Ciampa. Ford tagged in, hit a frog splash and got the win.

The show almost immediately went off the air as the Profits celebrated and fireworks shot off inside the arena.

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes addresses John Cena’s heel turn

Posted on March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 by Colin McGuire

SmackDown’s Elimination Chamber fallout episode takes place tonight from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Less than a week after John Cena’s shocking heel turn, Cody Rhodes will appear for the first time since rejecting The Rock’s offer to be The Rock’s champion.

Cena laid out Cody last Saturday at the direction of The Rock with help from rap star Travis Scott. Cena won the men’s Elimination Chamber match and is scheduled to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 for the Undisputed WWE Championship next month.

Both the women’s and men’s United States title will be on the line tonight. Women’s US. Champion Chelsea Green defends her title against Michin in a street fight, while Shinsuke Nakamura will take on LA Knight for the men’s US belt.

Also on tap, Braun Strowman faces off against Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso takes on Drew McIntyre in a rematch from two weeks ago.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Philadelphia aired. LA Knight, Nakamura, Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa, Drew McIntyre were all shown walking around backstage and outside the arena until it got to McIntyre, who ran into Damian Priest and McIntyre laid out Priest.

– A video package recapping Elimination Chamber weekend aired.

– Randy Orton’s music hit back inside the arena and Orton made his entrance.

The Randy Orton segment

I’m a fan of them building Orton vs. Owens on the basis on Orton finally connecting with the punt kick on Owens. Owens has been in so many furniture fights over the last months – and we’ve already established the danger of the piledriver – why not take the simple road with this and just return to one of Orton’s most beloved and menacing spots? I also liked the fact that Owens didn’t show up here. Give Orton his reintroduction time; there’s enough space between now and Mania where Owens and Orton can jaw at one another in real time. With Orton’s voices back in his head (THEY TALK TO HIM), it should be a fun build to their presumed Mania showdown.

Orton soaked in a ton of cheers before he started to talk. Orton said a lot of crazy stuff has happened since he’s been gone. Orton mentioned John Cena and the crowd booed loudly. Orton said Cena has always been on the top of their profession and now he’s “just a bottom for The Rock,” and that gives a whole new meaning to the term “Rock Bottom.” I’m not so sure the crowd got it, so Orton fired up and officially welcomed everyone to SmackDown. The crowd cheered.

Orton brought up Kevin Owens and said they have both done vile things to get jobs done. Orton said they always did what they did in the name of business. Orton said he respects Kevin Owens The Wrestler and touted Owens’s journey to WWE. Orton said it’s Kevin Owens The Man who he has a problem with. Orton said never underestimate a jealous man’s ability to destroy another man and he thinks of Owens when he thinks of that cliche.

Orton brought up how Owens tried to ruin Cody’s career because Owens was jealous about the gold around Cody’s waist. Orton noted how Owens tried to drop Sami Zayn on his head at Elimination Chamber because Zayn had become a bigger star than Kevin Owens. Orton said Owens was once his friend, but Owens dropped Orton with a piledriver because Orton was trying to protect his own friend. Orton recalled how Owens main-evented WrestleMania not once, but twice – including his brawl with Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Orton explained how he was told his spinal fusion would be career-ending for him a year and a half ago. Orton said he busted his ass to come back, but once he got back, he wasn’t going to let anyone piss him off … but Kevin Owens pissed Orton off. Orton talked about how he RKO’d Owens at Chamber, but that didn’t satisfy Orton because his voices started talking to Orton again for the first time in a decade. Orton said he wanted to punt kick Owens so hard, his family wouldn’t recognize him. Orton said he will prove that Pat McAfee is only the second-greatest punter in WWE and threw his microphone. Orton’s music hit and that was the end of the segment.

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– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green in Nick Aldis’s office from earlier today aired. Stratton told Green to shut up and turned her attention to Piper Niven, challenging Niven to a match. Green said Niven couldn’t do that because of Green’s match later. Naturally, Aldis made the match official instead and Stratton’s music hit for the first match of the night.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Piper Niven [7:43]

A fine television match. The outcome was never in doubt, and I’m a little surprised how long it went and how much offense Niven got in, but we got to where we needed to go, complete with the post-match attack from Charlotte. The bigger story is how this highlights how thin the women’s mid-card is on SmackDown. Stratton needed a win against someone to then set up Charlotte’s attack, and instead of giving a new face a chance, they threw Niven, who will most likely be in another segment later on in the show, out there. Nothing against Niven – she’s great! – but this could have been used to elevate someone else. The problem? There really isn’t a someone else to elevate in the SmackDown women’s midcard scene. Maybe that will change after the presumed Draft after Mania.

Niven came to the ring without Green. Niven and Stratton locked up to to begin the match and Niven took Stratton to the mat. Niven went for a running Senton, but Stratton moved and hit a basement dropkick. Stratton followed that up with a springboard splash, but Niven kicked out at two. Niven then caught Stratton and threw Stratton to the outside, where Niven landed a cannonball on Stratton as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Stratton was giving it back to Niven, taking her down and connecting with her gymnastics splash in a corner. Stratton followed that up with a basement dropkick and a two-count. Niven ran at Stratton, but Stratton moved and went to the top. Stratton then connected with a Swanton for a near-fall. Niven came back with a Boss Man Slam and a near-fall of her own. Niven dragged Stratton to a corner and set up for a Vader Bomb, but Stratton moved, hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and that was the end of the match.

As Tiffy was celebrating, Charlotte Flair ran out and chop-blocked Stratton. Charlotte then worked a Figure-Eight as Tiffy screamed in pain. Officials ran out to break it up and Charlotte’s music hit to end the segment.

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– Nick Aldis hosted a segment in his office and the segment was designed to dissect the SmackDown tag team division. Next week, The Street Profits will take on #DIY for the tag titles. Meanwhile, Pretty Deadly, MCMG and Los Garza will compete in a triple threat tonight to determine who gets the next shot at the tag titles after the Profits get their shot. Yeah. I don’t know, either.

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) and Los Garza (Berto & Angel) to become the No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship [7:05]

A mild surprise when it comes to the finish, but in the end, none of this really matters. The tag division (on both brands, really) is cold and I understand the “Hey, it’s chaos!” approach to try and heat things up, but it just isn’t working. The truth is, a nuclear bomb needs to fall into the WWE tag division and the whole thing needs reset. It isn’t that I don’t think I’m capable of buying into a serious tag program between any of these teams; it’s just that at this point, so many wins are traded and so little attention is paid to the booking of the division that I could care less about who does what anymore. The MCMG experiment was fun while it lasted, but at this point, even The Dark Profits can’t breathe life into things.

Angel tagged himself in and Angel received a dropkick from Wilson. Angel came back with a dropkcik of his own and then ripped his own pants off. Shelley tagged himself in. Berto did the same. None of it mattered because all six guys ended up brawling from there. Los Garza hit stereo moonsaults on the other wrestlers on the outside and all six guys were down on the outside of the ring as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Shelley fired up, complete with a hot(ish) tag to Sabin, who came and cleaned house. Sabin landed a Tornado DDT on Berto for a two-count. Prince tagged himself in, but things broke down again and Sabin hit his dive to the outside on the other two teams. MCMG lined up for Skull And Bones, but Prince got in a backslide on Sabin and Pretty Deadly stole the win.

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– A video package highlighting Jade Cargill’s attack on Naomi at the Chamber aired.

– Members of the Philadelphia 76ers were shown in the front row and boy, they got a storm of boos raining down on them from the live crowd (and rightfully so). Put that on First Take, Stephen A.

The Bianca Belair/Naomi segment

As The SmackDown Turns. Days Of Our SmackDown. The Young And The SmackDown. A tip of the cap to the women, who sold this thing all the way to hell and back, even if the live crowd wasn’t all that kind at times (anyone who shouts “WHAT?” in the year 2025 should be banned from all live wrestling events). WWE people correctly take flak for being bad actors, but I don’t really think Naomi or Bianca were bad actors here. Even if they were reciting lines and they’ve taken “learn how to cry on demand” classes, I think this worked really well. If nothing else, it was leaps and bounds beyond what we usually see from emotionally charged promos on WWE TV. I’m not sure where they go from here because that’s two shows in a row that Cargill just simply appeared and ran through Naomi. But the dynamic between Belair and Cargill should be interesting to watch unfold as the weeks pass, especially considering how it’s WrestleMania season.

Belair made her entrance and was not all smiles. Instead, she was wearing all black and walked to the ring with purpose. The crowd felt a little confused as to how it should react and Belair stood in the ring in silence for a few seconds. Belair said she should feel like she’s on top of the world, but instead, it’s hard to do that when “two of your friends are fighting.” Belair talked about how close she became with Naomi after they formed their tag team. Belair said she doesn’t believe that Naomi would attack Jade Cargill. Belair said she needed answers and asked Naomi to come out and give her some answers. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi walked out in a neck brace.

The crowd booed and Belair asked Naomi, “What in the hell is going on?” Naomi said it’s not what it looks like. Naomi asked Belair who stepped up when Cargill couldn’t compete. Belair told Naomi to stop and asked Naomi if she attacked Cargill. Naomi said “all the outside noise is distraction,” and they need to focus on getting their tag team titles back and Belair getting to WrestleMania. Belair told Naomi to stop talking about everything else and to talk about Jade.

Naomi repeated Cargill’s name and said the truth is the way she sees Cargill, Cargill has been piggybacking off Belair all this time. Naomi said she had been forced to watch someone like Cargill succeed off Belair’s hard work. Naomi said she let Belair and Cargill get their flowers. Naomi got emotional and said she doesn’t give a damn about Cargill because Cargill doesn’t give a damn about Belair. The two talked over each other and started shouting at each other until Belair grabbed Naomi and told her to stop.

Belair said it’s a yes or no. Naomi cried – like, actually cried tears – and said, “I did it.” The announcement drew a huge pop from the live crowd. Naomi said she did it for Belair. Belair cried and yelled at Naomi to not touch her. Belair said it hurt so bad because she loves Naomi. Belair said things between her and Naomi are done and walked out of the ring. Naomi continued to cry and begged Belair not to walk away. Naomi shouted at Belair that she wished she would have pushed Cargill “harder” and “sooner.” Naomi yelled at the crowd that everyone turned on her. Naomi then called Belair an “ungrateful bitch.”

Belair turned around and a car pulled up on the big screen. Jade Cargill stepped out of it and the camera followed her as she marched to the ring. Cargill walked out and stood beside Belair before walking to the ring with purpose. Cargill hopped on the apron and chased Naomi out of the ring. Eventually, Cargill grabbed Naomi and ran Naomi into the announce table. Cargill ran Naomi into a ring post. Cargill hit Jaded on Naomi and stood tall to end the segment.

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– Drew McIntyre was shown walking backstage and ran into Byron Saxton, who said McIntyre’s attack on Priest earlier in the show was unprovoked. McIntyre noted how Priest stole a pin from Drew at the Chamber and Drew said because of Priest, Drew has nothing to give but violence on the way to WrestleMania.

– Footage of Cody telling Lex Luger he will be inducted into the WWE Fall Of Fame this year aired.

– Saxton interviewed Charlotte backstage. Charlotte said the women’s division has gone soft and every time Charlotte comes back, she has to remind people that there are levels to what they do. B-Fab walked into the frame and Charlotte said no one compares to Charlotte. B-Fab said nobody is interested in bowing down to Charlotte anymore. Charlotte said everyone eventually bows down to the queen. Charlotte challenged B-Fab to a match next week in Spain.

Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa va DQ [6:55]

Strowman and Fatu had a nice WWE-style brawl afterwards … but it was still a WWE-style brawl and it’s hard to see Jacob Fatu in that setting knowing how much harder he’s willing to go. I knew the Philly crowd would side with Fatu (and they pretty much did), because I’ve covered many an MLW tapings in that town, in person, where Fatu absolutely owned the 2300 Arena, so the home-away-from-homecoming was kind of nice to see. As for the match between Sikoa and Strowman … lest we be reminded that Solo Sikoa just main-evented a SummerSlam with the company’s biggest babyface no more than eight months ago. What’s the plan for Sikoa for Mania? Perhaps more apt: Is there a plan for Sikoa for Mania? Hmm.

Sikoa ran into Strowman a couple times, to no avail. Strowman ultimately took Sikoa down and sent him to the outside. Strowman went for his run-around-the-ring spot, but Sikoa ran Strowman into the ring steps and hit a hip attack on Strowman, who was down against the crowd barrier. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Strowman was on the receiving end of a headbutt and an impressive Samoan Drop from Sikoa. From there, Sikoa followed things up with a hip attack in the corner. Sikoa went for another, but he instead ran into a big boot. Strowman followed that up with a cross-body and another boot. Sikoa rolled to the outside, where Strowman successfully hit the Strowman Express. Back inside the ring, Strowman lifted Sikoa, but Sikoa got out of it and ran Strowman into the corner repeatedly. Sikoa ran at Strowman, but Strowman caught him to hit his signature powerslam. It looked like Strowman would win, but Tama Tonga ran in and that was the end of the match.

Strowman attacked Tonga and Jacob Fatu’s music hit. Fatu walked out and Fatu and Strowman engaged in a stare down. Both guys got onto the apron and the crowd went crazy with “Fatu!” chants. Both guys stepped into the ring and started to brawl. Fatu super-kicked Strowman to the outside and went for a dive through the ropes, but kind of/sort of tripped and Strowman threw Fatu over the commentary table. Fatu popped right up and hit a leaping elbow from the commentary table. Fatu threw Strowman into the crowd and the two battled through the crowd. They eventually found their way onto some road cases and Fatu tried to set up a Samoan Drop, but instead, Strowman chokeslammed Fatu through some tables. It wasn’t long until Fatu just simply got up and stumbled his way to the back.

**********

– Saxton interviewed LA Knight backstage. Knight talked about Fatu going through the table and said there will be no distractions for his match later with Nakamura. Knight called Philly the birthplace of the United States and said they are standing in the place that will be the rebirth of his U.S. title reign. Knight said everyone will pledge allegiance to the United States Champion with everybody saying “L.A. Knight. Yeah.”

– Chelsea Green was talking to Piper Niven backstage and Zelina Vega walked into the frame, saying she will challenge whomever wins the women’s U.S. title. Green then made her entrance dressed as Cactus Jack. Niven was behind her, stumbling, selling pain from her earlier match.

Chelsea Green defeated Michin in a Street Fight to retain the United States Championship [10:01]

This was really fun. I don’t quite know why Alba Fyre got to stick around and do this while Isla Dawn had to hit the road, but I kind of like the wrinkle of adding Fyre to the Green/Niven mix (perhaps this was the part Blair Davenport was at one point rumored to take in Green’s faction?). It didn’t feel like it was quite right to take the belt off Green so soon, so the outcome was hardly in doubt, but they had me wondering after Niven and B-Fab brawled to the back. All women worked hard here and I’m a fan of this mid-card title feud, assuming it’s not over now that Green stole another win from Michin. Good stuff from everyone here.

The two jumpstarted the match and Michin broke out a baking sheet early. Michin then emptied her trash can and threw a bunch of weapons into the ring, including a crowbar, a chain, a chair, a kendo stick and the trash can itself. Michin hit a drop-toe-hold onto a chair and posed with chains in her hands. Green came back with a trash can shot, but Michin back-dropped Green onto the chains. Michin then bit Green’s fingers. Michin went under the ring and pulled out a table, but Green stopped her and pushed the table back under the ring. The crowd booed and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Green was selling pain inside the ring. Michin grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed Green. Michin then successfully grabbed a table from under the ring. Niven then attacked Michin and slammed Michin on the commentary table. Green went to the top and Niven held Michin’s head against the trash can. Green then hit a Coast To Coast for a good near fall. B-Fab walked out and picked up a Kendo Stick. B-Fab worked over Niven with said stick. The two ran through the crowd and to the back.

Back in the ring, Michin had her own Kendo Stick and worked Green over with it. Michin threw a trash can at Green and then hit a Cannonball in the corner with said trash can on Green. Michin got a two-count out of it. Michin made a pile of chairs in the middle of the ring. Michin then got the table into the ring. Out of nowhere, Green slammed Michin on the bottom of the table and then set it up properly. All of this ended with Michin giving Green an Eat Defeat, which left Green on the table. It looked like Michin was going to win, but Alba Fyre showed up, gave Michin a Canadian Destroyer onto the pile of chairs and placed Green on Michin. Green got the win. After the match, Fyre presented Green with her U.S. title and saluted Green.

**********
– Backstage, Santos Escobar was shown yelling at Los Garza. Escobar said things have to start changing for Legado Del Fantasma. Escobar said he won’t expect it; he’ll demand it. Andrade walked in and spoke to Berto individually. Andrade told Berto that he deserves better.

The Cody Rhodes segment

Cody showed great fire, but man, that black eye is gnarly. You have to think Travis Scott is going to get a receipt someday. Cody has such a weird body in that when it gets hurt, he almost as a secret power to make his injury look worse than the same injury on anybody else’s body. Case in point: That HIAC torn bicep. I maintain that this program will suffer the more Cena doesn’t come around. There are only so many “Ra! Ra!” promos Cody can cut between now and Mania without having an adversary around to talk about it with, but we’re only a week into the build, so we’ll see. For now, this was a solid follow-up to one of WWE’s biggest moments in recent memory.

Cody was subdued in his entrance and had a massive black eye. He even sat out on the “Whoa!” His music cut and the crowd chanted his name loudly. Cody looked around, took his time, and the crowd eventually launched into “Cena sucks!” chants. Cody asked Philadelphia what they wanted to talk about, but he was forlorn. Cody said it was obvious because what happened on Saturday was the most-watched moment in WWE history. Cody talked about how his daughter asked him what happened to his face. Cody said he lied to his daughter and said he ran into a wall.

Cody said it wasn’t entirely untrue, because he ran into a wall designed by the Final Boss, his associate, Travis Scott, and, of course, John Cena. The crowd booed loudly. Cody said he drove John around for two years, trying to get all the knowledge he could. Cody said he thought Cena was a hero. Cody said one day, he’ll tell his daughter what actually happened: A great man who did great things and said he’d never give up … gave up. Cody apologized for the language he used on Saturday. Cody said if Cena doesn’t owe it to Cody, he owes it to his fans, to know why he did what he did.

Cody said Cena will have a well-crafted retort and Cena will feel bullet-proof and justified, but there is no justification for John Cena. Cody said he was aware he was talking to the whole world, but for those in the room in Philadelphia, Cody wanted to remind everyone that Philly was the one place Dusty was always afraid to perform in. Cody referenced how he finished his story last year at WrestleMania. Loud “Cody!” chants broke out.

Cody said speaking of WreslteMania 40, you could see John Cena celebrate with Cody in the ring after his match. Cody noted how Cena told Cody that “it gets heavier every day” while referencing his title. Cody said he was holding his championship and it’s not heavy enough. Cody said he’s been holding his championship for 300-something days. Cody said Cena is convinced he is the last of his kind, but he is not and at Mania, Cody screamed at John Cena to “come and get some,” and threw the mic down. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

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– The Miz was talking to Melo backstage and Nick Aldis was around. Miz pitched “Melo Don’t Mizz TV.” Melo said if the Final Boss came to him, he would have done what Cena did and referenced Fortnite. Randy Orton walked into the frame and also talked about Fortnite. Aldis said it looked like Orton is itching to get back into the ring and Aldis made the match for next week: Melo vs. Orton.

Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso [7:17]

I think literally – literally! – half this match was lost to a commercial break. So, there’s that. It was all about Drew getting the win back that he lost a couple weeks ago and then doing everything they can to heat up this McIntyre/Priest program that seems destined for WrestleMania. I’m not sure it’ll get to the temperature they want, but that’s another story for another day. In the meantime, I can’t help but think about this: Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso and the entire Bloodline is essentially MIA these days when it comes to important stories in WWE. That’s kind of wild when you consider the past three or four years and how their story has carried the company. Jimmy goes from accompanying Roman Reigns down the aisle for every single Most Important Match Of The Night on every Important Show for years to losing to Drew McIntyre in a seven-minute TV match that’s lost to commercial time. It’s a cold business.

Jimmy jumpstarted the match and attacked Drew. Jimmy went for a suicide dive on Drew, who was on the outside of the ring, but Jimmy ran into an elbow. McIntyre kicked Jimmy in the gut and rolled to the outside, where he hit a forearm onto Jimmy, who was draped over the apron. McIntyre lifted Jimmy, but Jimmy fought out of it and slammed McIntyre into the commentary table. Jimmy tackled Drew over the table and the show went to a commercial break about 1:45 into the match.

The show returned and Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop on McIntyre for a two-count. Drew went for a high-risk move from the top, but it resulted in a super-kick from Jimmy for a nice near-fall. Drew sold knee pain and Jimmy went to the top for a splash, but Drew moved and ultimately hit a Claymore Kick for the win. Drew teased walking to the back, but turned around and started walking back towards the ring, but Damian Priest showed up and attacked McIntyre outside the ring. Officials ran out and pulled Priest off McIntyre, who said he would kill McIntyre. Priest said every week, he will be coming after McIntyre.

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– A Street Profits vignette aired.

– #DIY were interviewed by Saxton backstage. Gargano said the tag division is on fire, and there is a lot of great teams, but the best team in the world is #DIY. Ciampa said all the teams want what #DIY has. Ciampa talked about the Profits’ new attitude and Gargano chimed in saying hope is a dangerous thing and the Profits have hope – but their dream is already dead. Ciampa then did his Moment Of Silence bit, this time for the Profits’ dream of becoming tag champs.

– Next week in Barcelona, #DIY will take on The Street Profits for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Also, Charlotte vs. B-Fab will happen, Melo vs. Randy Orton will go down and Miz TV will feature Cody as Miz’s guest.

LA Knight defeated Shinsuske Nakamura to win the United States Championship [11:09]

I liked the finish a lot more than I thought I would. Having the thought that it was very possible Knight would win his title back tonight, I was hoping for anything but the boilerplate finishes that Knight matches have these days. Instead, I was going back and forth in the last minute, wondering who actually might pull the victory out. Good on both guys for that. The questions remain: Why did Knight drop the title to begin with? Why did Nakamura get this run without ever really defending the belt? What happens to Nakamura, who we barely see anyway, now that he is beltless? Those answers may never come, but for now, this was a good title change with a creative finish. I’m not sure where either guy goes from here, but perhaps something for one (or both) can heat up between now and Mania.

Knight came out with some quick offense, but Nakamura rolled to the outside. Knight followed him and Nakamura kicked Knight in the gut before hitting a running knee. Nakamura then hit a cartwheel elbow on Knight. Nakamura ran at Knight and hit a sliding German Suplex on Knight. Nakamura ran into a boot, which turned into a bulldog from Knight from the second rope. Nakamura rolled to the outside and Knight hit his modified baseball slide/basement dropkick on Nakamura. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night.

The show returned and Knight clotheslined Nakamura. Knight followed up with a cutter and a pop-up powerslam. Knight then dropped an elbow for a two-count. The two battled on the top rope, but it resulted in Knight going for his pop-up super-plex. Nakamura countered and worked over Knight with some back elbows and a back suplex from the second rope. That resulted in a two-count for Nakamura. Knight hit Nakamura with a clothesline as Nakamura went for a Kinshasa. Both guys were down to reset the match.

Nakamura kicked Knight in the back of the head and went to the top, and it was here where Knight hit his pop-up super-plex. Knight went to the top and hit his step-up leaping elbow. Knight called for the BFT, but Nakamura pushed Knight away and rolled to the outside. Knight went to the outside and stopped Nakamura from hitting him with a chair and then stoped himself from hitting Nakamura with a chair. Nakamura took advantage of that and hit a back elbow. Back in the ring, Nakamura had a chair, but referee Charles Robinson grabbed the chair and threw it away. Nakamura went for the mist, but accidentally misted Robinson. Knight tried to roll up Nakamura, but there was no ref for Knight. From there Nakamura hit a Scorpio Rising, but the ref was still down.

Nakamura grabbed the chair, but Knight kicked it out of Nakamura’s hands and then landed a BFT on the steel chair. A referee ran down and counted to three for Knight to get the win. Fireworks went off as Knight posed on the second rope with his U.S. title and the show quickly ended.

WWE SmackDown live results: Royal Rumble go-home show

Posted on January 31, 2025January 31, 2025 by Colin McGuire

Royal Rumble weekend in Indianapolis begins with tonight’s SmackDown from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

On the eve of the Rumble, Chelsea Green and Michin once again face off for the Women’s United States title. Green beat Michin in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural champ in December, but the two have continued their feud since then. Most recently, Michin pinned Green in a tag match last week as she and B-Fab defeated Green and Piper Niven.

An eight-man tag match is also on tap for tonight with Motor City Machine Guns teaming up with Los Garza to take on DIY and Pretty Deadly. It comes in advance of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin challenging Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa for the WWE Tag Team titles in a two-out-of-three falls bout at the Royal Rumble.

Naomi vs. Liv Morgan and Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes are set for tonight as well. Plus, Joe Tessitore interviews Kevin Owens in advance of his ladder match against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes on Saturday.

The first hour of tonight’s show is airing commercial-free. Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone to the show as footage of the city of Indianapolis was shown. Liv Morgan, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Michin, Chelsea Green and Damian Priest were shown walking through portions of the arena earlier in the day.

– Cole was at a small desk in the crowd, ala Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cole then introduced Pat McAfee and said he was the reason the Royal Rumble will be in Indianapolis this year. McAfee made his entrance and stood at the small desk with Cole. The crowd chanted “McAfee!” and McAfee called Indianapolis the greatest host city on earth. McAfee said the city is world-class and it hosts Final Fours, National Championships and the like and the people there are the best in the world. McAfee said he was “so damn thankful to be here.” Cole then threw to Joe Tessitore in the ring.

The Kevin Owens Interview

This was really good. Not necessarily on Punk/Cody level from Monday, but intriguing nonetheless, if only for how loud Owens has been about not liking Punk in or out of the ring (of course, this is professional wrestling, so who really knows where the real life truth lies, but the tension here felt palpable). Owens looked legitimately unhappy that he had to be out there with Punk and Punk looked as happy as the Young Bucks taking their victory lap as he smirked his way through this thing. It all added up to a fun way to open the show and it has me hopeful that we might actually get Owens vs. Punk someday in WWE one way or another.

Both belts that will be up for grabs at the Royal Rumble were hanging in the middle of the ring. Tessitore said it’s difficult to look past Owens’s latest actions. Tessitore played up the idea that he plays a big role covering wrestlers, so he wanted to give Owens fair time. Tessitore asked Owens what everyone was missing about how Owens feels about Cody. Owens began to talk and the crowd started to drown him out with boos. Owens called Tessitore a Cody Rhodes fan boy and lamented that everyone was talking about how they would face Cody at WrestleMania, but Owens said he will win the title at the Rumble and go onto WrestleMania himself.

Owens asked Tessitore if he thought he was a tough guy and Owens did not accept Tessitore’s initial apology for not giving him mic time. Owens then grabbed the winged-eagle belt as it hung in the middle of the ring and went to leave, but CM Punk’s music hit and Punk walked out. Owens looked less than thrilled. Punk grabbed a microphone and the crowd loudly chanted “CM Punk!” and Punk took it in. Owens and Punk stood silent and started at each other for a minute while “Holy s-!@#” chants broke out in the crowd.

Owens asked Punk if he could help him and Punk said no. Instead, Punk said he was there to offer two apologies – one for interrupting him; the other was for Owens thinking Punk was looking past Owens for WrestleMania. Punk said when he wins the Royal Rumble and if Owens makes it past an angry Cody Rhodes, the main event of WrestleMania could be Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk. Punk said if Owens wins at the Rumble, then Owens’s title reign won’t last long.

Owens said he felt conflicted because on one hand there are 29 guys in the Rumble that he likes more than Punk. But at the same time, Owens said the thought of Punk vs. Owens in the main event at WrestleMania – or Owens beating Punk’s ass at WrestleMania, he corrected himself to say – appealed to him. Owens played up the fact that all Punk wants to do is main event WrestleMania and it’s right at Punk’s fingertips. Owens said the idea of Punk never getting to main event WrestleMania is so good to Owens. Owens said he loves the thought of Punk never completing that dream. Owens stepped towards Punk and said Punk will go to his grave as a miserable failure. Owens said he hopes Punk doesn’t win the Royal Rumble and dropped the mic to leave.

Punk, however, kept going. Owens stood on the ring apron. Punk said he had never lost five title matches at the Royal Rumble while Owens has. Punk said he had never lost to Logan Paul, but Owens has. Punk said he had never tried to manipulate his best friend to help him win a title, but Owens has taken short cuts. Punk noted how he has to throw 29 other people over the top rope while Owens has to survive a pissed off Cody Rhodes in a ladder match. Punk invited Owens back into the ring and said he’d kick his ass. Punk told Owens to not be afraid. Owens dropped his mic. Punk did, too. Owens teased getting into the ring and instead walked away with his winged-eagle belt. Punk’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– The Miz was talking to Nick Aldis backstage and said if Andrade was standing right there, right now, he’d punch Andrade in the face. Andrade asked if Miz issued a challenge. Andrade suggested The Miz vs. Andrade later tonight and Miz said if Andrade wanted a lesson in greatness, that’d be fine. Aldis made the match for later tonight.

– Carmelo Hayes walked to the ring with a microphone and called Jimmy Uso not “The One,” but “The Two.” Melo said he won’t miss because his name isn’t Tyrese Halliburton. The show naturally cut to the Indiana Pacers star, who was sitting in the front row. Jimmy tried to jumpstart the match, but Melo quickly countered and the first match was under way.

Jimmy Uso defeated Carmelo Hayes [8:31]

I was expecting more from the Melo/Halliburton interaction, but maybe they are saving something for Tyrese later in the show. Another thing I was expecting was Jimmy getting a clean, easy win, but Uce had to kind of/sort of cheat to win and Melo, for what it’s worth, got a lot of offense in before taking the loss. Maybe this means they run it back sooner than later. While it helped Melo to be competitive here, he still took the loss and it’s probably about time for him to earn some wins now that he’s gone nearly a year as the No. 1 draft pick for SmackDown. Time will tell. As for this match, it was fairly boilerplate. Melo looked more crisp than Jimmy, but Jimmy’s power stood out. A fine-enough way to fill television for about 10 minutes.

Melo kept control for a good part of the first minute until he tried to headbutt Jimmy, but that turned out to hurt Melo more than it hurt Jimmy. Melo ran into an uppercut from Jimmy and Jimmy yeeted. Jimmy clotheslined Melo over the top rope and went for a dive, but Melo cut Jimmy off with a clothesline inside the ring. Melo landed a hip attack and went for another one, but Jimmy moved and tried a pop-up move, but Melo turned it into a DDT for a two count.

With Jimmy on the outside, Melo landed a dive and jawed at Halliburton. Jimmy attacked Melo from behind and rolled Melo back into the ring to hit an enziguri. Jimmy then went for a hip attack, but Melo moved. It didn’t matter because Jimmy came back with a pop-up Samoan Drop for a two count. Jimmy went to the top rope, but Melo cut him off and went for something of his own, but Jimmy denied him and landed some type of arm-drag suplex on Melo to reset the match as both guys were down.

Jimmy kicked Melo, but then ultimately jumped into Melo’s First 48, but Jimmy kicked out at two-and-a-half. Melo went for a springboard move, but Jimmy move and super-kicked Melo for a good near-fall. Jimmy went to the top and went for a splash, but Melo go the knees up and rolled Jimmy up for a two count. Melo then hit a running knee and went to the top, where Melo landed a splash of his own for a nice near-fall. Melo looked shocked.

Melo went back to the top rope, but Jimmy cut him off with a kick. Jimmy went for something, but Melo countered into a rollup. Jimmy kicked out and rolled Melo up for the win. Jimmy had a handful of tights to help him get the win.

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– The Royal Rumble “By The Numbers” video aired and man, those are always so good.

– Chelsea Green was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage. Green said last week, Michin tried to destroy the face of the United States and tonight, Green will return the favor. Green then said she will win the Royal Rumble Saturday night. Green also called Piper Niven her “Secret Hervice” and it was damn funny.

Michin defeated Chelsea Green via DQ [6:21]

Eh. OK. That’s fine. I guess. I think. Maybe. Probably. It was hard to think a clean finish was coming when this was slotted 45 minutes into the episode, and I have no problem with them stretching this program out a little more, but it was a disappointing finish and if Green vs. Michin isn’t about to walk over the line, it can certainly see the line from where it sits currently. It’s hard to think of Green dropping that belt anytime soon, but the way they have built this feud, I can be convinced that Michin would be the best opponent to eventually take it from her. Either way, this was a bit too short to really get going. As an aside: Without Green in WWE and Toni Storm in AEW, professional wrestling on all American channels would be a lot less interesting. God bless them for that.

The two traded pin attempts to begin the match and Green rolled outside the ring to roll back into it. Michin hit a series of German Suplexes and Green went to the outside, where Michin landed a dive through the ropes. Back inside the ring, Michin went for Eat Defeat, but Green got away from it. Michin pounded on Green until Green pushed Michin over the top and to the outside. Back inside the ring, Green worked a chin-lock. Eventually, Green went to a head-lock.

Michin fought back with a series of kicks, including a running strike. Michin set up the Long Back Attack and hit a Cannonball and got a two count out of it. The two traded pin attempts until Michin landed Eat Defeat, but Green rolled to the outside. B-Fab rolled Green back into the ring, but Green escaped again, but Michin chased after her. Green kept running away regardless. Green found the kendo stick and hit Michin with it to end the match. After the match, Michin got a hold of the stick and worked Green over with it.

**********

– Saxton interviewed Belair and Naomi backstage. Saxton asked what will happen if Naomi and Belair are the final two in the Rumble on Saturday. They both said they’d support each other, no matter the outcome. Saxton noted how Liv and Raquel have their eyes on the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.

– Another Charlotte Flair vignette aired.

– Stephanie McMahon was shown sitting in the crowd with a child.

The Damian Priest/Jacob Fatu Segment

The future of SmackDown, probably, and it’s hard to be mad at that. Fatu vs. Priest is a nice way to introduce Priest to Fridays – and it’ll be even better if they can figure out how to involve a title with all this. Knight being there makes sense, too. I will now insert the complaint I keep writing each week these days: Why wouldn’t they advertise this tag match ahead of time? It has some of the brand’s biggest star power. Don’t you think people might tune in if they knew this was coming ahead of time? Anyway, Fatu saying he and Tonga run SmackDown now is mighty interesting considering how Solo Sikoa walked out of the entire arena without saying a word the last time we saw him. Something’s going to eventually give with all that … right?

Priest said he wanted to make an impact after coming up to the main roster and he went from a nobody to a heavyweight champion. Priest said he doesn’t want to live in the past, though, because now he’s on SmackDown. Priest said the goal on SmackDown is championships and it will start at the Royal Rumble as he secures his spot at WrestleMania. On cue, Jacob Fatu’s music hit and Fatu walked to the ring.

Fatu screamed into the mic and said he sees Priest and he knows who he is, what he’s done. Fatu said Priest has accomplished so much more than the others in the back. Fatu said they’re alike because they both got out the gutter and they both came from the streets. The difference, Fatu said, was that Fatu spent time in jail. Fatu said he’s all gas, no breaks now, and if Priest thinks he’s going to make a name for himself on SmackDown, that’s not going to happen. Fatu said Priest can lay down or he could “beat his ass down.” Fatu said he and Tama Tonga are running SmackDown now and yelled “Fatu!”

Priest asked Fatu if that was supposed to intimidate him. Priest then spoke in Spanish. Priest said Fatu should know better and asked Fatu why they’re even talking at all. Priest then super-kicked Tonga. Fatu glared at Priest and removed his vest. The two circled each other. A “Holy SH$#@” chant broke out and the two brawled with each other. Tonga got up and inserted himself. The two played the numbers game on Priest until LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran down to make the save. Knight hit Fatu with a chair and grabbed the mic. Knight challenged Fatu and Tonga to go up against Priest and Knight later in the show. Knight offered up his catchphrase to end the segment.

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– Santos Escobar was shown talking to Los Garza backstage. MCMG walked in and Escobar pointed out that MCMG have their opportunity to win gold at the Rumble. Meanwhile, Legado Del Fantasma have to fight for what they have. Alex Shelley said they will have Los Garza’s backs tonight. Angel said if MCMG because #DIY at the Rumble, they want the first shot at the tag titles.

– Footage of the moment HHH was told he’d be inducted into the Hall Of Fame this year from earlier this week aired.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) and Los Garza (Angel & Berto) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) [12:08]

This went pretty much as expected, but there’s nothing wrong with that. MCMG getting the win for their team all but promises that they will continue to be in chase mode with #DIY coming out of the Royal Rumble Saturday night. Then again, this is a new era, so perhaps new things can and will happen. I got a kick out of how MCMG kept trying to tag each other in, only to have Los Garza members cut them off. It was a tiny touch, but a necessary one in order to make sure we all know that Los Garza are still heels. Here’s hoping that 2-out-of-3 falls tag match gets at least a half hour at the Rumble Saturday night. Seeing, as always, is believing.

Berto and Prince were the first to lock up. The show almost immediately went to a picutre-in-picture break, but it came right back and Ciampa was the legal man for the heels. Berto landed a rolling moonsault on Ciampa for a two-count. Shelley tried to tag in, but Angel tagged himself in … but Sabin tagged himself in. Gargano was the legal man briefly and things broke down. The babyfaces hit stereo dives on the heels on the outside of the ring and the show went to another PIP break, weirdly.

When the show returned this time around, Prince was working over Sabin. Wilson tagged in and Sabin hit a double clothesline on both Prince and Wilson. Sabin tagged in Angel (who stole the tag from Shelley). Angel fired up and ripped off his pants. Angel went to the top and hit a cross-body on Wilson for a two count. Gargano tagged himself in and things broke down again with all eight wrestlers getting a signature move in, complete with a moonsault from Angel onto Pretty Deadly on the outside.

Berto powerbombed Gargano inside the ring for a nice near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants began. Sabin tagged himself in, but Angel stopped Sabin from entering the ring. Los Garza jawed at Sabin and left ringside, leaving MCMG on their own. Ciampa, meanwhile, worked out Sabin on the outside of the ring, throwing him into the crowd barrier. Shelley popped up on the apron, but Gargano pulled Shelley to the floor.

Ciampa clotheslined the hell out of Sabin. Ciampa accidentally kicked Prince in the head and as a result, Pretty Deadly walked away. Sabin then rolled Ciampa up and got the win for his team.

**********

– Fatu and Tonga were shown walking backstage and saw the tag titles laid out on a road case. Ciampa and Gargano walked up and grabbed them. Tonga “Yeeee Yeeee Yeeee”-ed at #DIY. Ciampa ran into and yelled at Pretty Deadly. Gargano said the tag title match at the Rumble is the biggest match of their lives. Elton Prince told Gargano and Ciampa that tomorrow night, they will be on their own.

– Cole and McAfee were shown at their tiny desk and McAfee introduced Tyrese Halliburton, who joined the two at the tiny desk in the crowd. Halliburton said he was excited to have the Rumble in his town. McAfee noted how it’s Pacers vs. Hawks at 5 p.m. tomorrow and wondered if we could see Halliburton in the Rumble. Halliburton said the plan is to beat the Hawks and then show up at Lucas Oil. Footage of Cole and Cody crowdsurfing earlier in the day aired.

– A vignette focusing on Owens vs. Rhodes aired.

Naomi defeated Liv Morgan [10:21]

Boy, it sure does feel like Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are going to be the next in line for those WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles, doesn’t it? That’s fine and all, but what about the other end of the equation? At what point does Jade Cargill get re-inserted into the Naomi/Belair circle? And when do we find out about the attacker? All of this feels like it will develop sooner than later, but this viewer is starting to get at least a tiny bit impatient. In the meantime, this was a mildly surprising result and a well-worked match on both ends. Morgan was just one of the biggest champions in the company. Now she’s losing in the second-to-third hour of SmackDown in a match with little stakes. Perhaps there is a plan. There’s always a plan. Right?

The women locked up to begin things. Morgan got the best of it at first, but Naomi came back with an arm-drag and a head-scissors takedown. Morgan rolled to the outside. Back inside the ring, Naomi kicked Morgan a handful of times. Naomi then hit her split splash for a two count. Naomi landed a vertical suplex for a two count. Raquel hopped up on the apron to distract Naomi and Morgan too advantage of that with a backstabber for a two count. The show went to a break.

Back to the show, Morgan pinned Naomi, got a two count and then worked a chin-lock. Naomi Stunned Morgan to even things out. Naomi kicked Morgan in the head and followed up with a clothesline and back elbow. Naomi ran Morgan’s face into the second turnbuckle and went to the top. From there, Naomi landed a cross-body for a two count. Morgan ultimately came back with a running knee and a Codebreaker from the top for a near-fall.

Naomi hit a Rear View out of nowhere and went for the split-legged moonsault, but Raquel distracted Naomi. Even so, Morgan and Naomi traded pin attempts in the wake of the distraction and Naomi got the best of it, rolling Morgan up for the win. After the match, Raquel attacked Belair and Naomi. Morgan joined in on the fun and Raquel powerbombed Morgan onto both Naomi and Belair.

**********

– A video recapping the Fatu vs. Strowman match from SNME aired.

Andrade defeated The Miz [10:02]

The expected outcome in a match that would have gone too long if this didn’t involve a commercial break. I’m a fan of the back elbow being a finisher for Andrade, so here’s hoping that sticks around. Speaking of “here’s hoping,” here’s hoping Andrade gets somewhat of a kickstart in the wake of WrestleMania season. The Melo/Andrade program was filled with fireworks but both guys haven’t really found a safe place to land since then. Facing The Miz in a throwaway third hour of SmackDown proves as much on Andrade’s side. Here’s hoping he gets back to something meaningful sooner than later.

The two locked up and Miz hit an arm-drag before posing. A lock-up happened again and Andrade got the best of that one. The Miz actually landed a flying head-scissors and the crowd cheered as the action spilled outside. Andrade followed it up with a springboard moonsault on Miz and the show went to a commercial break at about the two-minute mark.

Back from the break and Miz was in control, giving Andrade some Miz Kicks. Andrade popped up and chopped the hell out of Miz. From there, Andrade hit a Dragon-Screw Leg Whip and a flying elbow before firing up the crowd. Andrade then landed the double-knees onto Miz in a corner. Andrade booted Miz in the face, but Miz came back with a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a nice near-fall. Miz clotheslined Andrade in a corner and went to the top. but Andrade cut him off. With the two on the top, Andrade pulled off a top rope Spanish Fly for a good near-fall.

“This is awesome!” chants broke out (let’s not get carried away, friends). Andrade missed a moonsault attempt and the two traded rollup attempts, but nothing came of it. Andrade then hit his spinning back elbow and that, surprisingly enough, was good enough to get Andrade the win.

**********

– Priest ran into Escobar backstage. Priest wondered why Escobar was even talking to him in the first place. Escobar told Priest he’d see him around. R-Truth appeared and told Priest they were at Raw. Priest told Truth to never change and turned into LA Knight. Nakamura was standing in the shadows as Knight and Priest talked to each other. Truth hopped in and said “Welcome to Raw!” to both Knight and Priest.

– Tiffany Stratton was shown walking and she ran into Zelina Vega, who said she had her eyes on Tiffy’s title. Tiffy talked down to Vega and it turns out Stratton is going to talk to Cole and McAfee next.

The Tiffany Stratton segment

Nia Jax is working overtime these days between SNME and SmackDown. Good for her. I have to think this means the story isn’t over between Stratton and Jax, no matter how Saturday night turns out. Tiffany, for her part, needs to decide if she wants to be a proper heel or a proper babyface. She heel’d on Vega backstage and then sold like a babyface after Jax attacked her in the ring. We all feel like it’s going one way, but the more WWE denies it, the more unnatural – and more frustrating – her entire presentation feels.

McAfee and Cole were in the ring and Cole introduced Stratton, who made her entrance. Cole asked Tiffy how her life has changed since she won the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy said she has always been championship material. Stratton said now everybody knows she’s championship material. McAfee said everybody wants what she has and McAfee listed off wrestlers who might win the Royal Rumble, including Nia Jax. Tiffy said it doesn’t matter who wins because it will always be Tiffy Time.

As Tiffy was talking, Candice LeRae’s music hit and LeRae walked out with a microphone. LeRae called Tiffy pathetic and said Tiffy didn’t deserve to even say Nia’s name. LeRae said Tiffy betrayed both Jax and LeRae. The crowd started the “WHAT?” treatment as LeRae stepped into the ring and called Tiffy jealous. LeRae told Tiffy to enjoy what little bit of Tiffy Time she has left. LeRae said she has entered the Rumble. Tiffy backed LeRae into a corner and Jax tried to attack Tiffy, but Tiffy moved and Jax splashed LeRae. Jax rebounded quickly, and hit a leg drop and her finisher on Tiffy. Jax stood tall to end the segment.

**********

– The commentary team ran down the card for the Royal Rumble.

LA Knight & Damian Priest defeated Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga [14:44]

A good-enough main event for the Royal Rumble go-home show, but “good-enough” isn’t by much. It’s no secret that SmackDown has lost its luster over the last few months and with Raw On Netflix now the shiny new thing, it was clear that SmackDown was going to be given the short end of the stick. To see it come this early is a little disheartening. You have one of your four (probably three?) biggest shows of the year tomorrow night and your main event is a throwaway tag that has no real implications for anything significant in the immediate future? Or, well, probably more accurate: No Big Time Stars in the last 10 minutes of TV leading up to A Very Important PLE? No Cody? No Roman? No Punk? Not even Owens? Switch out the Monday and Friday shows and you’d have something. Tonight, though? Not so much.

Knight and Priest jumpstarted the match and ran into the ring to attack the heels. Fatu was kicked to the outside and Tonga and Priest turned out to be the legal men. Priest got the best of him and tagged in Knight. Still, Tonga came back, corner Knight and tagged in Fatu. Knight landed a neck-breaker on Fatu and stomped a mudhole in him. Knight then ran into a knee from Fatu, but Knight came back with another neck-breaker.

Priest tagged in and worked over Fatu until Tonga distracted Priest and Fatu capitalized with a hip attack. Tonga tagged in and took some punishment from Tonga. Fatu tagged in and worked Priest’s neck. Priest came back and threw Fatu to the outside. Knight tagged in and Knight went after Fatu, complete with his top-rope elbow. Out of nowhere, Fatu landed a leaping elbow on Knight to settle things down. The show then went to its final commercial break.

The show returned and Fatu went for a hip attack on Knight, but Knight moved. From there, Knight back-suplexed Fatu and ultimately got the hot tag to Priest, who came in and cleaned house. Priest hit a Flapjack on Tonga and fired up the crowd. Priest sent Tonga flying over the commentary table and then planted Fatu on said table. Back inside the ring, Priest walked the top rope, ala Undertaker, and hit a cross-body for a near-fall that the referee kind of/sort of gave away before Tonga kicked out.

Priest set up for a Razor’s Edge, but Tonga countered into a sleeper hold. Priest tried to fire up, but it didn’t really work at first. Eventually, it worked and Priest got out of it. Tonga landed the Hanging DDT on Priest inside the ring and Knight tackled Fatu over into the timekeeper’s area. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Tonga ran at Priest, but Priest caught him and eventually clotheslined the hell out of Tonga. Priest then hit South Of Heaven on Tonga for the win.

After the match, Fatu ran into the ring and attacked Priest, complete with super-kick, pop-up Samoan Drop and a moonsault. The show barely made it off air before fitting all of this in. Everything ended with a shot of Fatu scowling.

WWE SmackDown live results: LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga

Posted on January 24, 2025January 24, 2025 by Colin McGuire

After a confrontation last week, LA Knight will go one-on-one with Tama Tonga on tonight’s WWE SmackDown.

The Knight vs. Tonga match was set up after a brawl between Tonga, Knight, Jacob Fatu, and Braun Strowman last Friday. Knight was looking to seek revenge for Fatu and Tonga interfering in his match against Shinsuke Nakamura two weeks ago for the United States Championship.

Also slated for the episode, the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) will take on Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince). Pretty Deadly interfered in MCMG’s match last week against Los Garza, but the interference backfired and MCMG still came out on top.

Tonight’s show will serve as the final build for this weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event episode. Ahead of his contract signing with Kevin Owens at SNME, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will appear tonight for an exclusive interview. It will be conducted by Joe Tessitore.

Rhodes and Owens are set to meet in a ladder match for the Undisputed WWE title at the Royal Rumble on February 1.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Joe Tessitore spoke as outdoor shots of Texas were shown. Footage of Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and Tiffany Stratton walking in various places was shown. Turned out, Tessitore was standing in the middle of the ring and he introduced Cody Rhodes.

The Cody Rhodes Interview

There wasn’t a lot to this. I suppose you couldn’t expect Owens to interrupt because Cody and Owens will be around each other at SNME, but I did kind of think they might set up a proper main event for tonight with Cody involved. Instead, we got three (maybe four?) standard questions from Tessitore and Cody doing his best to be engaging … but truthfully falling a tiny bit short. It felt like the live crowd wanted more – and it felt like more was coming – but the segment just never blossomed into anything of note. Kudos for WWE for trying something different, though. That’s encouraging.

Tessitore started talking and the crowd broke out into “Cody!” chants. Tessitore mentioned how Austin was the hometown of Dusty Rhodes. Tessitore noted how Cody will have his title taken from him to be hung above the ring and asked Cody how he felt about these being the final moments of him having the belt in his possession. Cody said Shawn Michaels knows something about ladder matches (Michaels will host the contract signing for the match at SNME) and reminded everyone that to main event WrestleMania, you have hold the title he holds and he, like everyone else, wants to main event WrestleMania.

Tessitore asked Cody about Kevin Owens and Cody threw the question to the crowd, who booed. Cody said a lot of people have a lot of opinions on Owens and they shouldn’t because he will subvert everyone’s expectations. Cody called Owens a once-in-a-generation superstar and said 10 times out of 10, Owens will always chose the easy way out. Because of this, Cody said, this is why the ladder match is the best way to go because it will simply be about who can climb the ladder and leave Indianapolis WWE Champion.

Following that up, Tessitore said he wasn’t sure if Owens could remain calm at SNME’s contract signing and asked Cody what his final message before the Royal Rumble to Owens would be. Cody said he might appear to be a good guy, but he was the one who defeated the greatest champion of his era, Roman Reigns, and he was also a student of Randy Orton. Therefore, he was and is as mean as people can get. Cody said simply put, he had only one thing to say to Owens: “Good luck.” Cody’s music hit and that was the end of that.

**********

– #DIY and Pretty Deadly were talking backstage and Johnny Gargano told Pretty Deadly they wouldn’t be able to help them later because Gargano has a match against Apollo Crews later. Ciampa told Pretty Deadly to handle their business. Gargano told them they believe in them. This all came after Pretty Deadly tried to see what might happen after tonight. #DIY walked away and Pretty Deadly ran into Legado Del Fantasma, who stared the team down. No words were said. Back in the ring, MCMG’s theme hit for the night’s first match.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) [9:55]

A fine TV match, if not a little too predictable. Much like the opening segment, it felt like there was something else that was supposed to happen, but it didn’t happen. In this case, interference from some tag team somewhere felt inevitable, but this was simply a clean win for MCMG. No complaining from me. I enjoy some of the edge that Pretty Deadly is showing, but seeing believing when it comes to if it will mean anything substantial moving forward. Here’s hoping.

Prince and Sabin started the match and Sabin got the best of it briefly, but Prince turned it around. Shelley tagged in, but Wilson soon followed. Sabin quickly tagged back in and MCMG landed a double-team move, but it wasn’t long before Pretty Deadly got aggressive and ran Sabin into a ring post on the outside. Shelley followed the heels and roughed them up. Pretty Deadly posed as the show went to a picture in picture.

The show returned and Wilson was beating down Sabin inside the ring. Prince tagged in and kept the pummeling going. Wilson tagged in, but Sabin fought back and hit a running enziguri on Wilson to then get the hot tag to Shelley. Prince tagged in, but Shelley took care of both of them, complete with a DDT on Prince for a two-count. Pretty Deadly were on the outside and Sabin tagged in to land a suicide dive on Pretty Deadly.

Back inside the ring, MCMG set up for Skull and Bones, but Pretty Deadly worked out of it to take control on both Sabin and Shelley. Prince landed a Bulldog from the top on Shelley for a near-fall. With Wilson as the legal man, MCMG hit their signature double-team moves before ultimately hitting Skull and Bones for the win.

**********

– The Miz was shown meeting with Nick Aldis backstage. Miz said Tessitore does a great interview, but it’s not Miz TV. Aldis informed Miz he is now on SmackDown permanently. Miz noted how the Wyatts are on SmackDown and flipped out. Aldis told Miz he’ll need to make new friends and make them fast.

– A video package/tale of the tape ran on the Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu match for SNME.

The Kevin Owens/Jimmy Uso segment

Kevin Owens appeared out of nowhere as Tessitore and Wade Barrett were talking at the commentary table. Owens berated Tessitore for interviewing Cody and not him. Owens asked why everyone wants to be Cody’s friend because all Cody does is betray his fans. Owens said he will prove at the Royal Rumble that he is the true WWE champion. Matthew McConaughey was in the crowd and started jawing at/with Owens. Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out.

Jimmy stepped into the ring and Owens asked Jimmy why he was there. Jimmy said it was because Owens “talks too damn much” and then attacked Owens. Jimmy went to the top rope, but Owens rolled out of the ring with his Winged Eagle belt. Jimmy got on the mic and asked Owens where he was going. Jimmy challenged Owens to a match for later tonight. And it appears we have found our impromptu main event.

**********

Carmelo Hayes was shown talking to Aldis in Aldis’s office. Melo was supposed to face Jimmy Uso later, so Melo was angry about it. Aldis said he has an opponent for Melo, but Hayes said he wants to meet his opponent instead of waiting until he gets in the ring because the last time that happened, Strowman came out. Melo said he’d wait to see who shows up.

B-Fab & Michin defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven [3:25]

This wasn’t much, either. At least Owens injecting something into the first hour. Sadly, it didn’t carry over into this tag, which was clearly here only to set up the eventual Green vs. Michin rematch. At this point, it would be nice if we got there sooner than later.

Michin and Niven began the match. Michin kicked Niven and Green tagged in. Michin dragged Green into the ring and went for Eat Defeat, but Green countered. The sequence ended up with Green in a corner and Michin twerking. Michin went for a Cannonball, but Green moved and took control. Green suplexed Michin for a one-count. Niven tagged in and went for an elbow drop, but Michin moved. B-Fab received the hot tag while Green tagged in.

B-Fab worked over Green, complete with a DDT and a cover that was broken up by Niven. Niven slammed B-Fab and Michin dropkicked Niven. Somehow, Green and Michin were the legal women (I guess I missed at least one tag) and Michin hit Eat Defeat on Green for the win.

**********

– Melo was still in Aldis’s office and Damian Priest showed up and Aldis asked Priest if he was interested in a one-on-one match with Melo later. Priest said he was there to work and it looks like Priest will be on SmackDown full-time now.

– A Charlotte vignette aired for the second week in a row. This time, Charlotte spoke over the fancy video footage. Charlotte declared for the Royal Rumble.

The Tiffy Time segment

This was fun for what it was and finally threw some energy into the proceedings. We’ll see what Aldis was about to announce before the show went to break.

Stratton said once again she is the center of attention. Stratton said she wasn’t worried about who wins the Royal Rumble because things will still operate on Tiffy Time. Rhea Ripley’s music hit and Ripley walked out to a loud ovation. “Mami!” chants broke out. Ripley said she knew Tiffy was still new there, but she wanted Tiffy to know she was a women’s champion, too. Ripley said she respects what Tiffy did to Nia Jax, but it won’t compare to what she’ll do to her at SNME. On cue, Nia Jax’s music hit and Jax walked out with Candice LeRae.

Jax said she didn’t understand why she was “catching strays,” and that’s a young person’s phrase, so who knows what that means. Jax officially declared for the Royal Rumble match as the crowd booed. Jax looked at a kid in the entranceway and said “Your mom sucks, kid.” Jax said she will beat Ripley at SNME. Jax said she’d take back Tiffy’s title eventually because that title is hers. As Jax stepped into the ring, Bianca Belair’s music hit and out came Belair and Naomi.

Naomi asked Belair if she could believe it. Naomi officially entered the Royal Rumble match. Belair did the same. Belair and Naomi went back and forth on who was going to win. Liv Morgan’s music then hit and Liv walked out with Raquel. While standing in the entranceway, Liv noted how Ripley lost her man “to a real woman.” Live called Tiffy a Liv Morgan wannabe. Liv shouted that she doesn’t care about anybody because the headline news will be all about Liv … because she is also declaring for the Royal Rumble match. Liv also “declared her victory” for the Rumble match. Liv said Raquel will ensure that Liv wins and Ripley headbutted the hell out of Liv. All the women then brawled. Nick Aldis walked out and the show went to a commercial break.

**********

Liv Morgan, Miz Jax & Candice LeRae defeated Bianca Belair, Naomi & Rhea Ripley [12:13]

Lots of star power here and that’s a good thing. The match itself was a bit of a cluster, but what else would you expect? I said this last week, but I’ll say it again: Why wouldn’t WWE advertise a match like this ahead of time? It will most likely end up as the most star-powered bout of the night … why not put it out there to entice viewers to tune in? I digress. Anyway, a fluke win for the heels all but ensures Ripley beats Jax tomorrow night, but we knew that anyway. In the meantime, this was fun for what it was.

Ripley started the match and suplexed LeRae. Naomi and Belair got involved and threw Naomi onto Jax. Morgan tagged in and Naomi took her down before tagging in Belair and hitting a double arm-drag. Belair started pounding on Morgan, but LeRae interfered and Morgan then started pulling on Belair’s braid. Jax tagged in and clotheslined Belair. Jax rag-dolled Belair. Jax set up for her finisher, but Belair pushed Jax over the top and to the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Morgan had the upper hand on Naomi. Jax tagged in and hit a splash on Naomi. Jax followed that up with a stink face. LeRae tagged in and rolled up Naomi for a two-count. Jax attacked Ripley on the outside of the ring. Morgan did the same to Belair. All of this allowed the heels to triple-team Naomi, but Naomi fought back and landed an X-Factor on LeRae. Ripley hopped back on the apron and received the hot tag. Morgan tagged in and Ripley went to work on Liv.

Belair tagged in and went for a moonsault on Morgan, but Morgan got her knees up. Belair landed a weird spear/tackle. Things broke down and Ripley set up for a Riptide on Jax, but Morgan broke it up. As a result, Ripley hit a Riptide on Morgan, onto Jax. After all was said and done, Belair hit a KOD on LeRae, but Morgan rolled Belair up immediately after that and got the win.

**********

– Chelsea, Piper, Michin and B-Fab were talking backstage. Michin said she got a rematch with Green for the U.S. title next week.

Apollo Crews defeated Johnny Gargano [4:15]

A fun win for Crews, who needs wins. This obviously sets up MCMG vs. #DIY for the tag titles and if anything, I’m hoping they get at least 20 minutes to tell a solid story because we all know these teams can do just that. No nonsense. No limitations. Just let them loose. You won’t be sorry, Mr. H.

Crews had some offense early, but he ran into a super-kick from Gargano for a two-count. Gargano stomped a mudhole in Crews after that. Ciampa and Gargano pat themselves on the back and Gargano ran into a kick from Crews. From there, Crews pressed Gargano and landed his standing moonsault for a two-count. Crews leapt at Gargano, but Gargano moved and followed it up with a back-cracker for a two-count.

Back on their feet, the two traded blows. The sequence ended with Gargano throwing Crews to the outside, where Ciampa hit a running knee on Crews. MCMG walked down the aisle and that distracted Gargano. From there, Crews rolled up Gargano for the win.

**********

– Jacob Fatu said he was both Godzilla and King Kong as he cut a promo on Braun Strowman while walking to the ring. Fatu told LA Knight that Tama Tonga was coming for him. Fatu then accompanied Tonga through the entranceway and to the ring for the next match.

– Comedians Shane Gillis and Fluffy Iglesias were shown in the crowd.

– LA Knight had a microphone before his match and said “Let me talk to ya!” Knight talked about he got his ass kicked last week, but it was worth it as long as he got a shot at Tonga tonight. Knight mouthed off to Fatu and did his catchphrase with the crowd. The match between Tonga and Knight then began.

LA Knight defeated Tama Tonga [12:07]

This was pretty good despite the fluky (but expected) finish. Knight is low-key getting better in the ring and Tonga is … well … Tama Tonga. This all but ensures that Fatu gets the win over Strowman tomorrow night, but that’s the right call. Of note: Where is Solo Sikoa again? With all of these things happening, all we get is a mic-drop moment last week and that’s it?

Knight had control early and the action spilled outside, where Tonga threw Knight into the crowd barrier. Tonga walked the crowd barrier and clotheslined Knight off the barrier. The two got back into the ring and Knight hit a springboard shoulder block for a two-count. Knight landed a back-body-drop and clotheslined Tonga over the top to the outside. Knight followed him out there and and Tonga rammed Knight into the corner of the ring steps. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Knight hit a neck-breaker inside the ring for a two-count. Tonga came back with a dragon-screw leg-whip. Tonga then went to work on Knight’s leg. Tonga went for a vertical suplex and Knight countered into a neck-breaker. Tonga cut off a comeback attempt with a knee to the gut. Knight worked his way back and cut off Tonga off as Tonga went to climb the ropes. Before long, Knight hit Tonga off the apron and onto the commentary table. Knight rolled Tonga back into the ring and lifted him, but Tonga countered into his DDT finisher, but Knight kicked out at two.

Tonga placed Knight on the top and the two traded blows. Knight threw Tonga off the top and executed his step-up elbow from the top. Fatu climbed onto the apron and that allowed Tonga to get in a rollup. In the end, though, Knight hit a BFT on Tonga for the win. Immediately after the match, Fatu dropped Knight onto the commentary table and placed Knight on the table. Braun Strowman’s music hit and Strowman stomped to the ring to stop the carnage. Fatu and Strowman stared each other down and Fatu tried to go after Strowman, but Tonga stopped Fatu … until Fatu punched Tonga away and stepped in the ring with Strowman. Fatu and Strowman circled each other. Strowman tore off his shirt and the crowd poped. Tonga hopped on the apron, but Strowman clotheslined Fatu over the top. Tonga then stopped Fatu from getting back into the ring as the segment ended.

**********

– The Miz was shown talking to Austin Theory and Grayson Waller backstage. The Miz pitched “The Marine 7” and they all said they’d be rich. Aldis walked in and told Waller and Theory they were going to Raw for good. The Miz was upset and confused.

– A Nakamura vignette aired.

Damian Priest defeated Carmelo Hayes [10:48]

Melo got in a lot of offense here, which is good for Melo, but is that a great way to debut Priest, who is a former WWE Heavyweight Champion, on the Blue Brand? These are the things that can be debated in the current wild world of professional wrestling commentary. In the meantime, Melo came out of this looking better than he did going in, even though he lost. I wonder what happens with Priest moving forward. Does he get into the world title mix once things settle in, roster-wise? Is he somehow defined down on SmackDown? I hope not. There’s so much equity in Priest these days and he’s earned that; I hope the WWE booking minds don’t take that away from him.

Melo had the upper hand early … until he ran into an elbow from Priest. Priest walked the top rope ala Undertaker and came down in a cross-body for a two-count. The action spilled outside and Priest tried to run Melo into a ring post, but Melo countered and kicked Priest repeatedly. Melo posed on the second rope and the show went to a break.

The show returned and Melo continued to work over Priest. Melo landed a dive onto Priest on the outside. Back in the ring, Melo hit a cross-body from the top for a two-count. Melo went to work on Priest’s arm. Melo chopped Priest and Priest fired up. Priest followed up with a Broken Arrow and a front-face slam for a two-count. Outside the ring, Priest shoulder-blocked Melo into the time-keeper’s area. Back in the ring, Melo went for a springboard move, but Priest caught him … but then Melo came back with a First 48 for a nice near-fall.

Melo went to the top, but Priest moved when it came to a Nothing But Net attempt. Priest clotheslined the hell out of Melo and set up for his finish. From there, a South Of Heaven went down and that earned Priest the win.

**********

– MCMG and #DIY were backstage arguing around Nick Aldis. Turns out, it will be MCMG vs. #DIY for the tag titles at the Royal Rumble in a two-out-of-three falls match. Next week on SmackDown, #DIY will team with Pretty Deadly to face MCMG and Los Garza. Also, Liv Morgan will go one-on-one with Naomi. Plus, Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes and Chelsea Green vs. Michin for the Women’s U.S. title.

– Michelle McCool was shown in the crowd. Ditto for Mark Henry.

– Priest was shown walking backstage and he ran into Cody Rhodes. Cody shook Priest’s hand and walked away. Priest said, “See you soon, champ.”

– The Miz was talking to Andrade backstage, sucking up to him. Andrade walked away and Jimmy Uso came into the picture. Jimmy walked past Melo and Jimmy taunted Melo on his way to the ring. Melo followed Jimmy and attacked Jimmy on Jimmy’s way to the ring. Officials ran out and tried to break things up. Jimmy smiled and Melo was escorted to the back. Jimmy made his way to the ring for the main event.

Kevin Owens defeated Jimmy Uso [13:46]

Jimmy got in a lot of fury here, but you knew KO wasn’t going into SNME a loser. As such, this worked well and I have to think an Owens vs. Jimmy Uso rematch (perhaps with Owens as the Undisputed Champion?). Both guys worked hard and Jimmy, especially, kept his string of strong performances up. Don’t look now, but he’s accruing a solid resume of wins/matches on WWE TV now that the Bloodline stuff has died down a bit. With Jey’s recent singles run in mind, you have to think a proper tag run for the two could work out awfully well, but that’s for another day. In the meantime, this was a worthy main event.

The match started outside and Jimmy punched Owens a bit. Back in the ring, Owens took control back with a Swanton. Owens ran Uso into the second rope turnbuckle and posed. Owens threw Uso into another corner and pummeled Uso. Uso turned the tables and the action spilled outside, where Uso slammed Owens on the commentary table. Things briefly made their way back into the ring, but it went right back outside and Owens hit a frog splash from the apron onto Jimmy. The show then went to its final commercial break.

Back from that break, Owens was working Uso’s arm in the ring. Jimmy tried to work his way out, but Owens countered with a side slam, which was good enough for a two-count. Owens went back to Jimmy’s arm. Owens went to the top and Jimmy cut him off to go for a super-plex, but, as is always the case, Owens fought back and fought Jimmy off. Owens then went for a Swanton, but Jimmy got his knees up and then followed that up with a hip attack. Both wrestlers were down to reset the match.

With everyone on their feet, Jimmy took control with a Samoan Drop and a two-count. Owens ran the ropes, which led to Owens running into a super-kick, which got Jimmy a two-count. Owens popped up and landed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two-count (hi, Sami Zayn!). Owens jawed at Jimmy and went for a Stunner, but Jimmy countered and hit a super-kick for a two-count. Jimmy went to the top, but missed an Uso Splash and Owens landed a super-kick as a follow-up. Jimmy came back with one of his own and that resulted in a good near-fall.

Jimmy ran at Owens and Owens kicked Uso, but Uso came back with a spear. Jimmy went to the top, but Owens cut him off and pulled him down. Owens ran Uso into a ring post and hit the pop-up powerbomb for the win. After the match, Owens went to piledrive Jimmy on the commentary table, but Cody’s music hit and Cody ran out for the save. Cody and Owens brawled in and out of the ring. The credits rolled in the midst of this and that ended the show.

WWE SmackDown live results: Women’s title match, Solo Sikoa returns

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Colin McGuire

After winning a fatal four-way last Friday against Naomi, Nia Jax & Bianca Belair, Bayley gets her WWE Women’s Championship shot versus Tiffany Stratton on tonight’s SmackDown.

Stratton won the title two weeks ago after betraying Nia Jax and cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase. This will be Stratton’s first title defense since winning the belt.

Bloodline member Solo Sikoa will return to television after he lost a Tribal Combat match to Roman Reigns on Raw two weeks ago. Not only did Sikoa lose the match, but he lost the Ula Fala to Reigns as a stipulation of the bout.

Los Garza (Humberto & Angel) will be in action against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin). The former defeated Pretty Deadly while the latter beat A-Town Down Under last week to set up tonight’s match.

Also on tap, Jax will team with Candice LeRae to take on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Belair & Naomi. Plus, Carmelo Hayes goes one-on-one with Jimmy Uso.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show. Tessitore was shown walking through the crowd with Wade Barrett as he spoke about the history of the building. Barrett then yelled that it is Tiffy Time because she will make her first title defense tonight. Stratton was then shown walking in the parking lot earlier in the day. Bayley was shown walking backstage. Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes were featured in similar spots. Tessitore then said there was only one person deserving of opening the show. Barrett called him the Hometown Hall Of Famer himself. Rey Mysterio’s music hit.

The Rey Mysterio/Kevin Owens segment

The Big Royal Rumble Declaration Announcement was cute the first few times WWE did it on SmackDown and Raw, but can we please agree it has run its course by now? Rey Mysterio is a legend by every metric fathomable, but this didn’t do much for me – not even the delusional Kevin Owens could make it compelling. Nobody actually thinks Mysterio can win the Rumble (and, for that matter, nobody actually thinks Owens is WWE’s current Undisputed Champion, either). The hometown pop was nice, and it’s always welcome to see Mysterio not have to spin his wheels in the midcard, like he’s been doing for months on WWE TV, but this fell a bit flat.

Rey stood in the middle of the ring while the crowd cheer. He soaked in “619!” chants. Rey formally welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown and said it was the home of the 6-1-9. Rey said it was good to be home in front of his people. Rey said he requested to be out there because he wanted to declare his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble. Rey noted how in 2006, he entered at No. 2 and became the winner of the Rumble match that year. He followed that up by reminding everyone how he became a world champion at WrestleMania 22.

Rey said the competition is heavy for this year’s Rumble match. He cited Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and John Cena. Rey reflected on the fact that when he won in 2006, he did it for a friend and the crowd went bonkers with “Eddie!” chants. Out of nowhere, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens walked out with the Winged Eagle belt. Owens stood in the entryway with a microphone.

Owens said he was sorry for interrupting Rey, but he had to go out there because he heard Rey talk about how he was going to win the Rumble. Owens said he doesn’t respect many people more than he respects Mysterio. Owens touted how he main evented ‘Mania with Stone Cold Steve Austin and won the tag titles with his then-best friend at a WrestleMania. Owens said he stood there as the true, rightful WWE champion.

Owens said there was one thing left for him to accomplish and that was step into the ring with Rey Mysterio. Owens said he will root for Rey to win the Rumble match, but he wants Rey to promise to pick Owens as his champion to face at ‘Mania after Owens beats Cody and Rey wins the Rumble match. Rey told Owens he wasn’t the champion – with all due respect. Rey said if he goes on to win the Royal Rumble and Owens beats Cody, Rey would be more than happy to face Owens. Owens yelled at Rey, saying he is the champion and he earned it and he deserved it.

Mysterio tried to calm Owens down. Mysterio told Owens he was acting delusional – like Owens was his son Dominik. Owens tried to attack Rey with the Winged Eagle, but Rey thwarted the attempt and ran Owens out of the ring. Rey’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Naomi and Bianca were talking backstage and they talked about how they still didn’t have any leads on who attacked Jade Cargill forever-and-a-day ago. Naomi said they need to focus on tonight and getting their get-back against Jax and LeRae. Naomi told Belair to wrap her braid so they don’t repeat what happened last week when there was some miscommunication in the fatal four-way.

– Nick Aldis was shown talking to Mysterio backstage and Aldis told Rey that he will face Owens later on in the episode. Cody Rhodes walked into the shot and Rhodes told Aldis he had been cleared with a clean bill of health. Aldis said he had an addendum for the ladder match at the Rumble contract and he’d need Cody to sign it. Cody said he’d sign it once Owens signed it.

Bianca Belair & Naomi defeated Nia Jax & Candice LeRae [10:35]

A fine television match. Nothing special, but not necessarily because of the women’s work, but because these four have been stuck in a SmackDown vortex for what feels like years. Either singles or tags. Throw in Cargill, whenever she was around. Add Bayley and Tiffy every now and then. Nothing about this felt fresh. It was even kind of surprising that Jax and LeRae took the clean loss because Jax went from being Women’s Champion to losing in non-title tag matches in a matter of weeks. SmackDown’s women’s division needs a shot of life. Here’s hoping slotting Tiffy as its champion will provide that, but only time can tell.

Jax attacked Naomi to start the match. LeRae took out Belair. Jax and Belair ended up being the legal women and the heels had control. LeRae tagged in and Belair gained the advantage over LeRae. Jax interfered, but it didn’t sway Belair, who pressed LeRae out of the ring and onto Jax. Belair posed for the crowd and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and the heels had control. LeRae went to the second rope and went for a cross-body, but Belair rolled through and lifted LeRae for a slam, but LeRae grabbed Belair’s braid to take Belair down. It looked like Belair would tag Naomi, but Jax pulled Naomi off the apron and Belair was stuck with LeRae in the ring. LeRae kicked Belair and tagged in Jax, who Samoan Dropped Belair.

Jax ran at Belair, but Belair moved. LeRae intervened and it was enough for Jax to get to the second rope and lift Belair. Belair fought off Jax and landed a cross-body on Jax from the top rope. Naomi then received the hot tag and kicked Jax in the head before she planted Jax for a two-count. Naomi hit a split-legged moonsault on Jax, but LeRae broke up the pin. Belair tagged in, but Jax fired up against the two and dropped them both.

LeRae tagged herself in as Belair landed a spear on Jax. Belair went for a springboard move, but LeRae cut her off with a basement dropkick. Jax hit a Senton on Belair and LeRae covered Belair for a good near fall. LeRae ran at Belair, but Belair threw LeRae into a corner. Belair covered LeRae, but Jax tried to break it up with a leg drop. Belair moved and the leg came down on LeRae. Naomi then tagged in and hit her finisher on LeRae to get the win for her team.

**********

– Byron Saxton interviewed Bayley earlier in the day. Saxton asked Bayley what the match against Tiffy means to her. Bayley said the night will be huge for her and reflected on last year around this time when she won the Royal Rumble and beat IYO SKY at ‘Mania. Bayley said she felt like she could have done better as WWE Women’s Champion and her reign was cut short because of Tiffany Stratton. Bayley noted how Tiffy turned on her best friend and that makes her want to beat Tiffy that much more.

– Michin was shown talking with B-Fab in the locker room. B-Fab told Michin to keep her head up because Michin will eventually take Chelsea Green down. Piper Niven and Green entered the shot and Green correctly pointed out that she is the only women to successfully defend the Women’s U.S. title in history. B-Fab stood up and Niven got in her way. B-Fab said she was going to talk to Aldis about getting a match with Niven later tonight.

– Jimmy Uso was walking backstage and towards the ring. Jimmy said his brother is getting a title match, so it’s time for Big Jim to step up and try to get his. Jimmy’s music hit and the camera followed Jimmy through the entranceway and into the ring.

– Carmelo Hayes made his entrance with a microphone. Hayes walked out and said Roman is going to the Rumble while Jey has a world title shot, but Jimmy has nothing going. Melo asked Jimmy how he could take shots at him while he’s sitting on the bench. Melo told Jimmy he’d show him why Melo don’t miss.

Jimmy Uso defeated Carmelo Hayes via DQ [11:53]

This was better than I thought it would be and it’s a shame the finish was nonsense. Then again, you had to think it would be, what with Sikoa’s return advertised and Jimmy not having enough of a story with Melo to warrant a match just yet. Some of those near-falls towards the end of the match had me and they did a great job of grabbing the live crowd, too. Or, at least, the “This is awesome!” chants suggested as much. Fatu looked almost stand-offish as Sikoa made his entrance, so this next segment should be interesting to digest.

Jimmy jumpstarted the match when Melo stood on the apron and Jimmy threw Melo into the ring. Jimmy unloaded on Melo briefly, but Melo came back and stomped on Jimmy. Melo chopped Jimmy before running into an arm-drag neck-breaker combo that Jimmy hit. Jimmy went for a hip attack, but Melo moved. It didn’t matter much because Jimmy punched Melo and then suplexed Melo on the apron. Jimmy followed that up with a dive on Melo on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and it was just about 9 p.m. EST. Hayes had control, as is typically what happens when babyfaces have the upper hand and the show goes to break – the heels turn it around by the time the program comes back. Anyway, Jimmy attempted to fired up and went a splash, but Melo moved and hit Jimmy with a springboard reverse DDT for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and both guys hit clotheslines on each other at the same time. Both wrestlers were down to reset the match.

Jey took control when the two re-engaged, but Melo came back and planted Jimmy for a two-count. Melo ran the ropes and that brought into a tall pop-up Samoan Drop from Jimmy, which led to a good near-fall. Jimmy fired up the crowd and went to the top rope, but he jumped into a First 48 from Melo and that resulted in a great near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants from the crowd broke out. Melo went to the top rope, but Jimmy moved out of a Nothing But Net attempt. Jimmy followed it up with a super-kick and that led to an even better near-fall.

Jimmy landed a hip attack and lifted Melo, but Melo rolled Jimmy up for a two-count. Jimmy then speared Melo and went to the top, but Jacob Fatu appeared and stood on the ring apron. Tama Tonga then pushed Jimmy off the top rope to earn Jimmy the DQ win. After the match, Fatu hit a hip attack on Jimmy while Tonga DDT’d Jimmy. Fatu and Tonga stomped on Jimmy and Melo got to his feet to congratulate Fatu, but Fatu clotheslined Melo. Fatu then hip attacked Jimmy. Solo Sikoa’s music then hit and Sikoa walked to the ring.

**********

The Solo Sikoa/Jacob Fatu segment

Oh, boy, I loved the Fatu portion of this. He showed excellent fire and even though the crowd tried to hit him with the dumb “What?” treatment, he pushed through to prove his point. This was a much more grounded Fatu, too, and not just a blind follower who yells about his love for his Tribal Chief. The more serious he is, the better, and this was the most serious we’ve seen him on the mic in WWE. Anyone who has seen his work in MLW knows he has a lot more to offer than “I love you Solo!” and this was the first time WWE fans got to see that – even if it was a tiny example. As for Sikoa dropping the mic and saying nothing … I love that, too. The more open-ended things are with that side of the Bloodline 2.0, the better.

Sikoa stood in the ring and Fatu handed Sikoa a microphone. The crowd booed the hell out of everything. Before Sikoa said anything, he dropped the mic, took off his red jacket and left through the crowd. Fatu stared at Sikoa as he walked away. Fatu didn’t look happy (but when does he?). Fatu picked up the microphone Sikoa dropped. Fatu screamed, “So, this is what it comes to, huh?” Fatu said he was tired of the disrespect and the hate and the envy. Fatu said even on a bad day, nobody could touch him. Fatu said he could give a damn if anyone cheers or boos him, but one thing he won’t do is let people think he never got his.

Fatu asked if people thought he was losing it and was crazy. Fatu said the craziest thing about the situation is that he’s just getting started. LA Knight’s music then hit and Fatu squared up, but Knight ran in from the crowd and took out Fatu and Tonga. Or, well, he tried to, at least, until Fatu got the upper hand. Braun Strowman’s music then hit and Braun walked out. Tonga tried to hit Strowman with a splash, but Braun caught Tonga and disposed of him. Fatu and Braun engaged in a stare down, but Tonga pulled Fatu out of the ring to end the segment.

**********

– Los Garza were shown backstage and Santos Escobar walked up to them. Escobar was happy they exposed Pretty Deadly as liars last week. Escobar said Los Garza will take a tag title opportunity away from Motor City Machine Guns tonight. Escobar said if they want respect, they must take it. The LDF members came together as the scene ended.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garza (Angel & Berto) [11:57]

This was another better-than-expected special. It’s easy to forget that Angel and Berto can work, and you had to know that MCMG would bring out the best of them, anyway, and that’s what happened here. All told, it was probably one of the better MCMG matches in WWE (save for the Pretty Deadly silliness at the end here). This presumably sets up a rematch between MCMG and #DIY, but we’ll see (Saturday Night’s Main Event, perhaps?). It’s happening slowly, but it’s also happening surely: The crowds are responding more and more to MCMG each week. It’s encouraging, even if it feels like baby steps.

Shelley and Angel started the match. They traded a series of quick moves until Angel choped Shelley and tagged Berto in and he landed a rolling moonsault on Shelley. The move was good enough for a two-count. Shelley came back with a series of chops and things broke down between the four wrestlers for a brief minute. Ultimately, Sabin and Berto were the legal men and Sabin worked a head-lock. Berto caught Sabin eventually and spin him around until Angel kicked Sabin and pulled off his rip-away pants. Berto and Angel landed kicks to the front and back of Sabin and the show went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Berto landed a wild double-team roll-over face-buster on Sabin. Angel tried to keep Sabin from gettin the hot tag to Shelley, but it didn’t work and Shelley took the heels out after becoming the legal man. Sabin tagged in and and the two hit dragon-screw leg whips on Berto multiple times for a two-count. Shelley tagged back in and worked a figure-four on Berto. Angel tried to run in, but Sabin caught him and put him in a figure-four, too. Berto got to the ropes for a break and things calmed down.

Shelley was pushed into the second rope turnbuckle via Berto and Berto followed it up with a fallaway slam for a two-count. With all four wrestlers in the ring, Los Garza hit some type of odd double-team move on Shelley (and Sabin, I guess?) to get a near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Los Garza lifted Shelley, but Sabin saved the day and cleared the ring. Sabin hit a suicide dive on Angel and Berto on the outside. Back insdie the ring, MCMG set up their finisher, but Pretty Deadly intervened. The interference didn’t work and MCMG hit Skull and Bones on Berto for the win.

**********

– Aldis was walking backstage and ran into Kevin Owens. Aldis needed Owens to sign the addendum to the world title match at the Royal Rumble, but Owens said he wouldn’t sign it until Cody signed it. Owens told Aldis to stop trying to distract him as he prepares for his match against Rey Mysterio.

Piper Niven defeated B-Fab [2:18]

A glorified squash to keep the story between Michin and Green going, so it’s hard to be too mad at it. As a bonus, B-Fab got some TV time out of it, too, which is always good because as I said earlier, the SmackDown women’s division needs a freshening up and putting faces on TV that we don’t see each week is a way to do that. Let me guess: A tag involving these four wrestlers that leads to a rematch between Michin and Green for the U.S. title? You heard it here first.

Niven ran at B-Fab, but B-Fab moved and Niven ran into a corner. B-Fab planted Niven for a one-count. B-Fab ran at Niven, but Niven caught her and slammed her. With the two back on their feet, B-Fab DDT’d Niven for a two-count. B-Fab kicked Niven to the outside. B-Fab rolled Niven back into the ring and clotheslined Chelsea Green on the outside. B-Fab rolled back into the ring and Niven hit a Senton and Piper Driver for the win. After the match, Green and Niven attacked B-Fab until Michin’s music hit and Michin ran out with a kendo stick. Michin worked over Niven. Green and Niven retreated to end the segment.

**********

– Tessitore led a tribute to Bob Uecker, who died this week.

– Saxton interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage. Saxton said Bayley was extremely driven to win the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy said Bayley has had a career of big moments, but Tiffy has had big moments, too. In fact, Tiffy said, she is a Big Moment and now it’s Tiffy Time. Tiffy said toodles and left Saxton standing in the hallway.

Kevin Owens defeated Rey Mysterio [15:33]

So … what’s this addendum Nick Aldis is adding to the contract for Cody v. Owens at the Royal Rumble? I thought this match was going to set up that reveal, but all we got was yet another brawl between Cody and Kevin. In the meantime, the match was pretty good, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel like Rey going 15 minutes doesn’t seem like the best idea these days. He held his own for the most part – and Owens made sure to take care of him – but this lost some steam as it wore down and I’m a little surprised we got a kick-out of the Stunner. So much for that move being protected to the millionth degree on WWE TV anymore. Still, it was nice to see Rey out there and even better to see a (semi) clean finish. The post-match stuff was fairly boilerplate.

Both wrestlers tuned into the crowd after the bell rang and let things simmer. Rey got the best of Owens once the two engaged. Owens threw a fit. Owens eventually knocked Mysterio to the outside. Mysterio returned to the ring and took down Owens before he tried again and Owens caught Mysterio for a slam. Owens followed it up with a Senton. Owens ran Mysterio chest-first into a corner. Owens hit a knee on Mysterio and the action spilled outside. Mysterio did the 619 spot on Owens and sent Owens into the barrier on the outside. From there, Mysterio landed a sliding splash under the bottom rope. Both guys sold pain outside the ring as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Owens had the upper hand inside the ring, throwing Mysterio into a corner chest-first. Owens ran at Mysterio, but Rey moved and Owens ran into the ring post. Mysterio went to the top and hit a splash on Owens before landing a bulldog for a two-count. Rey set up for a 619, but Owens got back to his feet and super-kicked Mysterio. Owens went for a pop-up powerbomb, but Mysterio turned it into a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two-count.

Owens was perched on the top rope, but Owens headbutted his way out of it. Owens then hit a frog splash for a near-fall. The crowd launched into “Eddie!” chants. Owens set up for a super-plex, but Rey turned it into a sunset flip from the top and he followed that up with a modified Destroyer for a near-fall. Mysterio went for a springboard splash, but Mysterio missed. Owens followed up with a Stunner and Mysterio actually kicked out of it at two.

Owens went to the top rope and went for Swanton, but Rey got his knees up and hit the 619. Mysterio went to the top, but Owens stumbled into the referee, which knocked Mysterio off the top rope. From there, Owens landed the pop-up powerbomb to get the win. After the match, Owens threw his belt aside and pulled Mysterio up to shake his hand. Owens bowed at Mysterio and set up for a package piledriver, but Cody’s music hit and Cody ran out to attack Owens. Tons of officials ran out to break the brawl up to varying degrees of success. Owens stood in the crowd and posed with his belt. Cody looked angry in the ring and the show went to a commercial break.

**********

– Aldis was shown talking to Cody backstage. Aldis said Cody and Owens are out of control. Aldis said next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Owens and Cody will relinquish their belts and sign the contract with the addendum (whatever that is), with the special enforcer for the signing being Shawn Michales. Also at SNME, Braun Strowman will take on Jacob Fatu.

– Next week on SmackDown, LA Knight will take on Tama Tonga. Also worth noting, Pretty Deadly will go head-to-head with MCMG.

– Pretty Deadly were walking and ran into #DIY. Ciampa was angry that Pretty Deadly “handed” the victory to MCMG earlier in the night. Ciampa said Pretty Deadly were a joke and everyone was laughing at them. Ciampa left and Gargano told Pretty Deadly it was tough love and they truly believe in Pretty Deadly. Gargano said they want to make life better for Pretty Deadly and walked away. Apollo Crews then walked in and told Pretty Deadly working with #DIY has gotten them nowhere. Gargano ran in and attacked Crews by throwing him into a road case.

– Bayley made her entrance for the main event and the camera showed Roxanne Perez sitting in the crowd. So. Well. Angle alert.

– A Charlotte Flair vignette aired. It almost looked like a set-up package for a “Love Is Blind” story. To be fair, it was a mildly different vibe for the former champ.

Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [20:03]

Eh. Underwhelming. The women worked hard, but this crowd decided early it wasn’t going to do its part and that hurt the match. There were a few clunky spots and the Bayley/Perez story didn’t really advance outside of a quick exchange of glares towards the end of the thing. It’s kind of tough throwing Stratton – who is still very young and very much a rookie(ish) – into a 20 minute match, even if Bayley is the sort of gatekeeper these days in the women’s division, what with Charlotte out, and Sasha and Becky gone. I was hoping for more, but it just never kicked into another gear. Even so, it’s a credibility-building win for Stratton and that can’t hurt.

The match started with about 20 minutes until the top of the hour. The two locked up repeatedly, but no one got the better of it. They traded pin attempts to no avail and locked up again. Tiffy posed a few times and Bayley set up for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Stratton blocked it. Bayley clotheslined Stratton over the top and with Stratton on the outside of the ring, the show went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Bayley hit a draping neck-breaker and the action spilled outside. Bayley went for some dropkicks, but Stratton telegraphed it and ran Bayley into a ring post. Back inside the ring, Stratton went to work on Bayley’s arm. With Bayley on the apron, Stratton took out Bayley’s legs two times to plant Bayley on said apron. Stratton ran around the ring – but it only led to Stratton running into a forearm from Bayley.

Bayley rolled Stratton back into the ring and the two traded forearms. Stratton clotheslined Bayley and went for a running hip in the ropes, but Bayley moved. As a result, Bayley went for a suicide dive, but Stratton caught Bayley and trapped her between the ring and the ring curtain. Stratton then hit a hip attack of her own. Bayley tried to get back into the ring, but Stratton hit a knee to keep Bayley on the outside. Stratton went for a splash on the outside, but Bayley caught her and landed a Bayley-To-Belly. Both wrestlers were down on the outside of the ring and the show went to its final commercial break of the night.

Back to the action, Bayley hit a suplex from the second rope (sorry, but a super-plex comes only from the top rope, damn it) for a two-count. Bayley went back to the top, but Stratton cut her off and went to the top herself. Stratton landed a Senton and a powerbomb for a good near-fall. Stratton worked a version of an arm-bar, but Bayley rolled out of it and threw Stratton to the outside. Bayley slammed Stratton onto the announce desk and then suplexed her before she jawed at Roxanne Perez in the crowd.

Bayley went to the top rope and connected with the flying elbow for a nice near-fall. Bayley worked a cross-face until Stratton got out of it and hit a spine-buster for a two-count. Bayley hit a Bayley-To-Belly on Stratton after a few seconds of nothing for a near-fall. The crowd was nearly silent for all of this. Stratton set up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Bayley cut her off and sunset-flipped her into a corner for a two-count. Bayley slammed Stratton for a near-fall, but Stratton came back and got a two-count from a backslide. Stratton finally hit her Alabama Slam and followed it up with the PME for the win. Stratton quickly walked up the aisle as the credits rolled to end the show.

WWE SmackDown live results: Rhodes vs. Sikoa on USA Network return

Posted on September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 by Colin McGuire

On the first SmackDown on USA Network after leaving Fox, tonight’s show will open with a rematch of the SummerSlam 2024 main event — but this time in a steel cage.

Cody Rhodes will take on Solo Sikoa with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line. Rhodes defeated Sikoa at SummerSlam to retain the title in a Bloodline Rules match after Roman Reigns interfered. This time, the two will meet in a steel cage match while the first 30 minutes of SmackDown are scheduled to air commercial free.

Also tonight, Kevin Owens and a mystery partner will take on A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory). Last week, Owens beat Waller & Theory in a handicap match, but the heels attacked him afterwards.

Then, with their series tied at two wins apiece, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes will square off against one another. Hayes is currently on a two-match winning streak against Andrade. Both men are aiming for a shot at LA Knight’s United States title.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show began with a new intro, complete with new song and new logo. Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show and sent things to the ring, where Paul Levesque was introduced. Levesque soaked up cheers and walked to the ring.

– Levesque said it seemed like just yesterday, he went one-on-one with The Rock on the first SmackDown, and now it’s hard to believe they are where they are, 25 years later. Levesque said there was no better place to be than in Seattle, Washington, and there was no better way to start it off than a match for the Undisputed WWE Champion. Levesque asked the crowd if they were ready and welcomed everyone to SmackDown. Drew McIntyre-level pyro shot off and the steel cage was lowered.

– A video package setting up the Cody/Solo match aired. Both wrestlers made their entrances and Alicia Taylor made formal in-ring introductions. The bell rang about 15 minutes into the show.

Cody Rhodes defeated Solo Sikoa to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship in a steel cage match [16:19]

The expected outcome with, to be honest, a somewhat-expected appearance from Roman Reigns. I was – and still am – curious to see what the final segment of the show will be because they made such a big deal out of the steel cage match leading the show. With Reigns on hand tonight, you have to think this won’t be the last time we see any of these wrestlers tonight. As for the match, it was fine. Pretty tame. Uneventful. Again that dreaded “E” word – “expected.” Solo Sikoa deserves some credit, though, because he’s been thrusted into this position and you can see him get better and grow up in the ring in real time. Is this the same guy we saw two years ago? Not at all. He’s much more refined now and has learned the WWE Big Match style well. I can’t imagine a third match between him and Rhodes at this point – and if it does happen, it should be a very long time from now – but in the meantime, what happens with Sikoa and Reigns post-War Games unless The Rock shows up soon?

Cody had control early and hit his drop-punch twice. The two traded strikes and Rhodes hit a bulldog before running Sikoa into the cage four times. Cody ran at Sikoa and Sikoa back-dropped Cody into the cage. Sikoa followed that up with a hip-attack into the cage. Sikoa took control and put the boots to Rhodes. Sikoa landed a flying headbutt as Cody was draped upside down in a corner. Sikoa went for another one, but Cody moved and tried climbing the cage, but Sikoa cut him off. Cody was busted open on the forehead.

Sikoa threw Cody into a side of the cage. Sikoa followed that up with a bunch of headbutts. Cody went for a Disaster Kick, but Sikoa caught Cody and rammed Cody into the cage a couple times. Sikoa lifted Cody for a powerbomb, but Cody climbed up the cage and hit a Cody Cutter from near the top of the cage and got a two-count out of it. Cody tried to climb the cage again, but Sikoa grabbed Cody’s boot. Sikoa pulled Cody back to the canvas and started climbing the cage himself. Cody started climbing, too, and the wrestlers fought on the top of the cage.

Cody rammed Sikoa’s head on top of the cage and tried to climb over the top, but Sikoa stopped Cody and vertical-suplexed Cody. Neither guy appeared to land great. Sikoa covered Cody but only got a two-count. Cody slapped Sikoa and Sikoa came back with a pair of Rock Bottoms for a near-fall. Sikoa set up for a Samoan Spike, but Cody blocked it and fired up, eventually hitting a Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter for a near-fall.

Cody set up for a Cross-Rhodes, but Sikoa countered and hit a Hip Attack, a Samoan Drop and a Splash from the top rope for a good near-fall. Sikoa followed up with another Hip Attack, but it was in the corner where the cage door was and Cody almost escaped. Sikoa lifted Cody, but Cody countered into a Cross-Rhodes for a good near-fall. Cody climbed the cage, got to the top and hit a cross-body on Sikoa for another good near-fall. Cody asked the official to open the cage door and made his way towards the door, but Sikoa slammed the door in Cody’s face. Sikoa went for a Samoan Spike, but Cody thwarted it and hit another Cross-Rhodes, this time for the win.

After the match, the Bloodline surrounded the cage and they all climbed into the ring. Sikoa landed that Samoan Spike on Cody and the Bloodline worked Cody over, complete with a moonsault from Jaco Fatu – both from the top rope and from the top of the cage … except when Fatu got to the top of the cage, Roman Reigns’s music hit and Fatu didn’t jump. Instead, Reigns walked out and walked into the ring, closing the door behind him. Reigns beat the hell out of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa until Sikoa stopped Reigns.

Ultimately, Sikoa ran into a Superman Punch and Fatu pulled Sikoa out of the cage. Reigns invited Fatu to get in the ring and Fatu slowly walked up the steps. Fatu shut the door behind him, but as Fatu fired up, Sikoa pulled Fatu out of the cage. From there, Loa and Tonga beat down Reigns until Cody got back to his feet and gave a Cross-Rhodes to Tonga and Reigns gave a spear to Loa. Cody and Reigns had a brief moment until Reigns turned his attention back to Sikoa. Reigns and Cody stood awkwardly together in the ring as Cody’s music played to end the segment.

**********

– Cathy Kelley interviewed GM Nick Aldis backstage and Aldis said everyone has been sequestered in their dressing rooms. Sikoa asked Aldis for a match, but Aldis wasn’t sure what the match would be. Aldis said he was going to try and find some answers.

Michin defeated Piper Niven [2:02]

Welp, it appears that first match and subsequent nonsense ran a bit too long because this was a lot of nothing (but everything crammed into about three minutes). Hey, at least they didn’t get cut entirely from the show. My guess is this leads to Michin vs. Green sooner than later, but it is kind of tough to see Niven take so many easy losses.

Niven ran at Michin, but Michin moved and Niven went to the outside. Michin then hit a suicide dive. Michin then kicked Chelsea Green in the head and looked for something under the ring. Michin eventually pulled out a kendo stick and hit Green with it. Niven then hit a dive on Michin and rolled Michin back into the ring. Niven went to the second rope, but Michin cut Niven off and hit a belly-to-back suplex from the second rope on Niven. Michin followed that up with an Eat Defeat for the win.

After the match, Green attacked Michin and the heels and Green hit an Un-Pretty-Her on Michin, onto a trashcan. Green’s music hit and Green waved to the crowd.

**********

– Photos profiling memorable SmackDown moments aired. Rob Van Dam was then shown in the front row. Vickie Guerrero was also shown. Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser were also in the crowd and Gunther smirked as the crowd booed. It turned out Kevin Owens’s mystery partner was someone who Waller and Theory laughed at. Owens said his real partner couldn’t make it, so “That’s Ricky (one half of Midnight Heat, in case you are familiar with their independent work) and that’s my partner.” The crowd chanted “Ricky!” A producer called Owens over and told Owens his partner actually did make it, Owens Stunned “Ricky” and Randy Orton’s music hit. Orton then walked to the ring to be Owens’s tag partner.

Randy Orton & Kevin Owens defeated A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory) [9:22]

Pure fun. Nothing more. Nothing less. That’s never a bad thing. The Orton appearance was all but promised, so it would have been a lot more fun if they would have stuck with “Ricky” as Owens’s partner, but the go-home sequence with Owens mimicking Orton was a good visual. Those two are due for a program together soon, right? Who do you think turns on whom?

The match opened with a lot of brawling on the outside, with Waller back-suplexing Owens onto the commentary table a la Randy Orton. The show cut to a picture-in-picture at one point. When it returned, the heels had the advantage, but ultimately, Owens got the hot tag to Orton, who hit his back suplex onto the commentary table on both Theory and Waller. Owens and Orton did all of Orton’s moves together as we went to the home stretch and that concluded with Orton hitting an RKO on Waller and Owens hitting a Stunner on Theory. Orton then covered Waller for the win.

**********

– Nick Aldis announced that Sikoa challenged Cody and Roman to a tag match at Bad Blood between those two and Sikoa and Fatu. Cody walked in and said he’s done with The Bloodline and The Bloodline is Roman Reigns’s problem. As a result, Cody said he wouldn’t sign the contract for the tag match.

– More photos from more SmackDowns aired. Booker T and Sharmell were shown in the crowd. Ditto for Sheamus and Michael P.S. Hayes.

– A video of Tiffany Stratton, Pretty Deadly and Nia Jax catching fish at the Seattle market earlier in the day aired.

The Nia Jax/Bayley segment

I like the stip for this because a lot of things are in play. Who has to leave SmackDown? Will someone actually be forced to leave SmackDown? The stip doesn’t apply to Stratton if she loses for her team, does it? Whatever it is, count me among those who thing, as an immediate reaction, that we’ll get the rematch between Bayley and Jax, but I’ll be happy to be wrong. I get a kick out of snotty Bayley, so it was nice to hear her lean into that for the first time in a while, despite her being in a babyface role.

Jax was in the ring alone with a microphone and talked about how she’s unstoppable. Jax listed off all her accomplishments and said all of them were easy. Jax said everyone in the locker room fears her and the crowd gave her the “What?” treatment. Jax said Aldis told her she will defend her Women’s Championship at Bad Blood, but she didn’t know who the opponent was. She also didn’t care who her opponent would be. Bayley’s music hit and Bayley walked out.

Bayley had a microphone and said, “Ding dong, you idiot,” and it was kind of funny. The crowd chanted Bayley’s name. Bayley said Jax has had the greatest year of her career, but it wasn’t like Jax set the bar really high for herself. Bayley got into the ring and walked up to Jax, saying she wants her rematch. Jax, I think, said no, but the sound went out. The two exchanged verbal jabs, I think, and Tiffany Stratton’s music hit. Stratton walked out and said Bayley is pathetic and is jealous that Stratton has the MITB briefcase.

Bayley said something that made Jax and Stratton appear to be at odds. Jax said Bayley wouldn’t have a prayer if she ever faced Jax again. Naomi’s music then hit and Naomi walked out with a microphone. Naomi said if they wanted a fight, they could fight. Naomi said it’s been a while since she’s held a title, and she wants to do it again. Naomi challenged Bayley. Jax noted how both Bayley and Naomi wants Jax’s title. Jax challenged Bayley and Naomi to a tag match next week against Jax and Stratton. Whomever gets the win, Jax said, will get the title shot at Bad Blood. Whomever loses, though, will be forced to leave SmackDown permanently. Naomi hit a hip attack on Stratton to end the segment.

**********

– Aldis was shown walking backstage and Aldis told Kelley he talked to Roman Reigns and Reigns wants to address the situation in the ring at the end of the show.

– Ron Simmons and Teddy Long were shown in the crowd after stills of more photos aired. William Regal was also on hand. Bobby Roode was shown. And Damian Priest was just hanging out in the crowd, too.

Andrade defeated Carmelo Hayes [9:51]

That Spanish Fly looked gnarly early in the match. Good for Andrade getting back up from that. No way all this leads to Andrade losing to Knight clean without Hayes having anything to do with anything, right? Plus, there’s no way Andrade/Melo ends as a five-game series, right? Or, well, please? They’ve had five matches against each other and in each match, they pulled out different spots, kept everyone guessing who might win and developed a believability in their disdain for each other based almost solely on them simply just having a match one week. Knight can’t lose that U.S. title anytime soon, one would think, so perhaps this is just another chapter in the Andrade/Hayes feud and we’ve got a lot more to come from it because a nine minute deciding match just ain’t enough for this viewer. Fingers crossed.

Hayes attacked Andrade before the bell rang. But then the bell rang and Hayes immediately had the upper hand until Andrade just pushed Hayes off the top rope to the outside. Andrade followed that up with a moonsault on Hayes on the outside. Hayes came back and chopped Andrade, but Andrade responded with a big boot and rolled back inside the ring to break the count and then roll back outside to go to work on Hayes. By that, I mean he stood on the barriade, but Hayes popped up there with him and a Spanish Fly went down. It looked like Andrade landed on his face. The show then went to a second picture-in-picture and I feel like I’m covering Rampage again.

Back from the PIP, Andrade went for a double-knees, but missed. Hayes tried to capitalize, but the two traded move and pin attempts. Andrade tried to lift Hayes, but couldn’t quite get there and Hayes hit a First 48, but Andrade came back with a spinning back elbow for a good near-fall. Andrade went to the top and did the missed-moonsault-into-another-moonsault spot, but Hayes got the knees up to counter the second moonsault. Hayes went to the top, but missed Nothing But Net. Andrade then hit a wild Destroyer and Hayes sold fantastically.

Andrade fired the crowd up and landed the double knees in a corner, but Hayes reached for the bottom rope to stop the pin. Andrade went to the top, but missed a split-legged moonsault. Hayes kicked Andrade’s head while the two were on the top, but Andrade caught Hayes and kicked Hayes in the head. All of this led to a The Message from the top on Hayes, which made for a neat visual. That was enough for Andrade to get the three count. LA Knight’s music hit immediately and Knight walked out with a microphone. Knight did the “Let me talk to ya!” bit and congratulated Andrade for being the next contestant for the U.S. title. Knight said Andrade hit the “hit it and quit it sweepstakes.” Knight said he’ll drop Andrade on his head next week and that everybody is saying “LA Knight … Yeah!” Knight’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Byron Saxton interviewed Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair backstage. Belair said they were excited to be there and they were excited to have their titles back. Cargill said they won’t let their titles go and if anyone wants them, they can come get them (oh, so this is how the Motor City Machine Guns will debut in WWE!). Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton walked in the frame and Jax threatened to do something bad to Naomi. Jax reminded Cargill and Belair that she beat both of them on her way to winning Queen Of The Ring.

The Roman Reigns/Cody Rhodes segment

I’ve got to be in the minority, but the Seattle crowd kind of compromised all this for me. In a different room and a different town, a hotter crowd might have existed and turned all this up to 11. That didn’t happen here. To be fair, I’m not sure if that was because it wasn’t a great, fired up crowd, or if they really didn’t quite know who to side with when it came to Reigns and Rhodes. Either way, this was a star-powered final segment and all told, the show simply feels bigger whenever Roman decides to show up. SmackDown needs it, too, because Raw has quietly turned into the better weekly show over the last several months. I was into Cody actually being done with the Bloodline when he said he was earlier in the episode, but alas, a tag match awaits and while it might not be what we all prefer, that’s what we’re all going to get.

Reigns stuck up his finger and the crowd had his back as they mirrored him. Nick Aldis was in the ring with Reigns. Reigns soaked in cheers as the crowd chanted “OTC!” Aldis started talking, but Reigns put out his hand. Aldis gave Reigns the contract, but Reigns made a face and put out his hand again. Aldis then handed over the microphone. The crowd started another loud “OTC!” chant.

Reigns said he didn’t want to confuse anybody and said that some things change, but not him. Reigns said he didn’t need Aldis, he didn’t need a contract and he reiterated Bloodline business is family business. Reigns said he definitely didn’t need the help of Cody Rhodes and he got a mixed reaction. Reigns said no matter if he has the Ula Fala or not, he is the Tribal Chief – the only Tribal Chief. Reigns this is his ring, his show and his WWE. On cue, Cody’s music hit and Cody walked out in street clothes.

At this point, we were past the 10 p.m. EST mark, so welcome back to USA, SmackDown. Cody took his time getting into the ring. Once in the ring, Cody asked for a microphone. Dueling “OTC!” and “Cody!” chants broke out. Cody had an issue with Roman calling it his ring and his WWE. Cody said, “Well … it was, but it hasn’t been since WrestleMania.” The crowd felt a little confused as to what they should do. Cody dropped his microphone. Reigns did the same. The two stared at each other, but Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa appeared with Fatu. The two walked to the ring.

Sikoa and Fatu stood outside the ring, but Tonga and Loa attacked Reigns and Cody from behind. Cody hit a Cody Cutter on Loa and Reigns hit a Rock Bottom on Tonga. Reigns then picked up the contract and signed it. Cody put his title down and put out his hand for the contract, too. Reigns handed over the contract to Cody and Cody signed it, too. So the tag match for Bad Blood is on. Cody’s music hit and neither Cody or Roman looked particularly happy. An “Executive Producers” credit hit the screen and they were Paul Heyman and Lee Fitting, which was sort of shocking to see. The show then ended.

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes responds to Solo Sikoa

Posted on September 6, 2024September 6, 2024 by Colin McGuire

Before moving back to USA Network next week, SmackDown closes out its five-year run on Fox with tonight’s episode from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Cody Rhodes retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens at Bash in Berlin last Saturday. Tonight, Rhodes will respond to Solo Sikoa’s challenge for a title match. Rhodes defeated Sikoa at SummerSlam last month, but he got help from a returning Roman Reigns. Sikoa, along with his Bloodline stablemates, took out Reigns on SmackDown a few weeks ago.

Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu are scheduled to face The Street Profits & DIY in an eight-man tag match tonight.

For the first time since losing the WWE Women’s Championship to Nia Jax at SummerSlam, Bayley will be in action tonight against Jax’s cohort Tiffany Stratton.

Finally, after weeks of vignettes, Giovanni Vinci will make his return.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as live shots of Edmonton were shown outside the building.

– Bayley and Giovanni Vinci were shown backstage, arriving to the venue. Cody was then shown signing autographs backstage.

– A recap video of the stuff between Cody and Kevin Owens from Bash In Berlin aired. Cody’s music hit and we went to the first segment.

The Cody Rhodes/Bloodline segment

It felt like Sikoa vs. Cody was where we were headed once Roman Reigns was (supposedly? maybe?) pulled from the first SmackDown on USA (at least from the promotional materials). And so, to paraphrase Tina Fey, we go to there. That doesn’t necessarily mean Reigns won’t be there, but perhaps it’ll be booked as a surprise. Anyway, this was formulaic, especially considering how many show-opening segments we’ve seen Cody lead – and especially considering how many show-opening segments we’ve seen Cody lead with the Bloodline, no matter the incarnation. I hope WWE took note of how positive the crowd responded to the potential of Cody facing Jacob Fatu instead of Sikoa. We’re slow-walking our way there, but here’s hoping after the steel cage match next week, we’ll feel significantly closer to that eventual match.

The crowd chanted Cody’s name and Cody soaked it in before asking Edmonton what they wanted to talk about. Cody noted how it’s an extremely large crowd and he told everyone to say hello to each other. Cody said “Canada’s own” Kevin Owens had a hell of an outing at Bash In Berlin. Cody then welcomed Michael Cole back to SmackDown. The crowd chanted Cole’s name. Cody said he could go on, but he knew he’d get interrupted. Instead, he extended an invitation to the Bloodline. On cue, Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa walked out flanked by the rest of the Bloodline.

Sikoa stepped into the ring while the rest of the faction stayed outside of it. Sikoa asked Cody if he was done running his mouth. Sikoa asked Cody if he was done playing around as the crowd chanted “We want Roman!” Sikoa asked Cody if he was ready to defend his title against a real challenger. Sikoa said he could have been champion and he had Cody beat at SummerSlam, but Roman Reigns got in the way. As a result, Sikoa said he deserved a rematch.

Cody said on the season premiere of SmackDown next week there should be an Undisputed WWE Championship match. The crowd responded in kind by chanting “We want Roman!” louder. Cody called Sikoa unhinged and the No. 1 contender and said Sikoa does deserve a title match. But twist! Cody said he wasn’t talking to Sikoa; instead, he was talking to Jacob Fatu. Cody told Fatu to step up. Fatu did just that as the crowd chanted “Step up!”

Sikoa mouthed something to Fatu off mic and while Fatu stood on the apron, Fatu shouted he loved Sikoa and Sikoa was his Tribal Chief. Fatu then hopped down off the apron and the crowd booed. Cody said it was worth a shot. Cody noted how every second and every minute, Sikoa gets better. Cody said the WWE revolves around Cody’s championship. The Bloodline hopped into the ring and looked like they would attack Cody, but #DIY and the Street Profits ran in to save Cody. Nick Aldis popped up and told everyone to settle down. Aldis proclaimed the eight-man tag match the main event for later. Aldis then said next week’s main event will be Cody vs. Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Aldis said the title match next week will be best for business, which means the match will be in a steel cage. Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

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– Pretty Deadly were backstage with Tiffany Stratton. Next week, Pretty Deadly hopes to premiere “Pretty Deadly: The Musical.” Nia Jax walked in and asked Stratton about how it looked like she wanted to cash in on Jax last week. Stratton said Chelsea Green was spreading those rumors about her and Stratton would never lie to Jax. Stratton asked Jax to be in her corner tonight and Jax said she would be there for Stratton.

Bayley defeated Tiffany Stratton [10:12]

I didn’t think I’d like how they’re stretching out the Stratton vs. Jax stuff, but I’m not not entertained so far. Plus, the Stratton/Pretty Deadly pairing makes way more sense than anyone ever imagined, so once Jax and Stratton have their day, Stratton should be fine flanked by those two guys. As for this match, it was pretty good. Stratton was consistent and clean while Bayley was … well, Bayley, which is a good thing. With Charlotte out, Becky gone and Sasha in AEW, it has fallen to Bayley to carry on that wave of women who got to the main roster around the same time and she’s been carrying that flag admirably. Plus, she was in need of a win, so as Michael Cole said, weirdly (considering their storyline history), it was nice to see something good happen to Bayley. Indeed.

The two locked up to begin the match. Eventually, Bayley roughed Stratton up and messed up Stratton’s hair. Bayley then worked Stratton’s arm and landed a running forearm for a two-count. Bayley went to the top, but Stratton cut her off. Stratton then kicked Bayley and hit a basement dropkick on Bayley, who was on the apron. The show went to a commercial break after that.

The broadcast returned and Stratton still had the upper hand, complete with her back handspring splash spot. Stratton ran at Bayley and Bayley clotheslined the hell out of her. Stratton responded with a dropkick and a draping hip attack for a two-count. Stratton dragged Bayley to a corner and worked on Bayley’s arm until Bayley ran Stratton into a ring post. Bayley then supplexed Stratton on the outside. Back inside the ring, Bayley landed a clothesline and a belly-to-back suplex before a running knee got Bayley a two-count.

Bayley went to the top rope and connected with a flying elbow, which was good enough for a near-fall. Jax then walked down the aisle without music. Jax’s appearance distracted Bayley and Stratton took advantage of that with an Alabama Slam. A handful of seconds later, Bayley hit a Bayley-To-Belly and Stratton rolled to talk to Jax. Bayley then hit a suicide dive on Jax. Jax was mad jawed at the referee. In the meantime, Stratton rolled up Bayley, but the referee was too busy being distracted. From there, Bayley followed it up with a Rose-Plant and got the win.

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– Kevin Owens was shown backstage and Grayson Waller and Austin Theory walked into the frame. Theory mocked Owens for losing to Cody at Bash In Berlin and they noted how Owens didn’t help Cody earlier in the show. Owens said he and Cody are fine and called Theory and Waller idiots. Owens called Waller and Theory a great team repeatedly and asked them if they wanted to have a triple threat later in the show. Waller noted how it would basically be a handicap match and Theory and Waller reiterated that they were best buds, so the match shouldn’t be a problem.

– A Legado Del Fantasma vignette aired. Santos Escobar didn’t appear happy while the rest of the faction was excited. Escobar asked why Berto and Angel were happy with their win last week because their win last week didn’t involved titles. Escobar told them not to be happy with merely success. Escobar said they make their own success and everyone agreed everything is falling into place for the faction, and man, if they concluded that after one win against Apollo Crews & Baron Corbin … . Anyway, they were happy as the segment ended.

Apollo Crews defeated Giovanni Vinci [0:03]

Wow. What?

The crowd didn’t really know what to do with Vinci as he took his time before starting the match, mugging for the camera. The bell rang and Crews rolled him up for the surprise win. Vinci was indignant.

– Chelsea Green was shown talking to Nick Aldis backstage and Michin walked in. Green called Michin trash and Michin recalled out Green got a knee to the face on NXT this week. Aldis made a one-on-one match between Green and Michin for later. Green pouted and walked away.

– Corey Perry, an Edmonton Oiler, was shown in the crowd.

Kevin Owens defeated Grayson Waller and Auston Theory [9:44]

You know what? Since Kevin Owens fancies himself the Meta Wrestler on these shows, why wouldn’t he just leave the match and force Theory and Waller to fight each other? That team’s dissolution has been teased now for months. Owens does so many things with a wink and nod these days. Why not just let the two heels go at it and laugh at them? Anyway, the match was fine. The A-Town Down breakup is really overstaying its welcome, but perhaps there is something big planned for one (or both) of those guys. Owens gets a win back after losing to Cody last weekend, but he got it from perpetual losers, and those losers are losers he constantly runs into week after week. Can we get Owens away from A-Town Down Under? Can we get A-Town Down Under away from each other? Please?

Waller came out wearing a Florida Panthers jersey. The camera kept cutting to Perry (angle alert!). Owens quickly got out ahead, beating both Waller and Theory up on the outside of the ring. Theory and Waller eventually fought back and Waller brought out a table from under the ring. Waller went to do something with it, but Owens instead powerbombed Waller through the table. Owens posed on the ring apron and the show took a commercial break.

Back from the break, a highlight was shown of Perry holding Theory while Owens punched Theory. Waller sold pain from the table spot and Owens pounded on Theory. Owens clotheslined Theory and hit a Senton on Theory. Owens followed that up with a cannonball and went to the top rope. Owens landed a Swanton and covered Theory, but Waller finally got involved again and broke up the pin attempt. Waller pounded on Owens. Waller ran into a right hand from Owens, but Theory came back with a Rolling Blockbuster on Owens. Waller tried to pin Owens, but Theory broke up the pin attempt and the heels argued.

Theory and Waller put the beef aside and worked over Owens in the a corner. Owens fought back with a noggin knocker, but Theory came back … only for Owens to hit a Rolling Senton on Owens. Waller broke up a pin attempt, but Owens suplexed Waller from the second rope and Theory broke up the ensuing pin attempt. Theory was first to his feet, but Owens hit a Stunner on Theory and that was enough for the win. After the match, Waller attacked Owens. Before long, Theory joined in and and hit A-Town Down on Owens. Waller followed that up with a Rolling Flatliner. A-Town Down celebrated to end the segment.

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– An Andrade/Carmelo Hayes vignette aired.

– Michael Cole spoke from the commentary table about being on FOX for five years. Corey Graves, alongside Cole, echoed Cole’s sentiment, referencing the Thunderdome era! Graves spoke about being grateful for being the lead commentary man on Friday nights the last bunch of months. Cole then thanked FOX for all they did and set up a video recapping the show’s run on FOX, which was a really nice touch from WWE.

The LA Knight/Andrade/Carmelo Hayes segment

This was pretty good. It never occurred to me that perhaps Melo and Andrade could work their feud into a title picture, but I like that idea, and good for them for turning their thing into this thing. In some ways, I hope they stay away from a triple threat (even though that seems inevitable), but if they go that route and Knight retains his title, perhaps that leads to even more heat on the Andrade/Melo program. Andrade received mixed reactions from the live crowd, which surprised me a little, but nobody wants to see anyone get mouthy with Knight, so … well, wrong place, wrong time, I guess. Still, this was a welcomed surprise segment.

LA Knight’s music hit and out came the guy to another loud pop for the 793rd week in a row. Knight soaked in cheers after his music faded out. The crowd then chanted his name until Knight hit them with the “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said he’s about 30 days into his U.S. title reign and he’s had two successful title defenses. Knight referenced D.C., Berlin and Edmonton, saying he’s international.

He was rambling about how nobody can beat him and Carmelo Hayes’s music hit. Hayes walked out with a microphone and said if anyone should be bragging, it should be Hayes because Hayes keep stealing the show with Andrade. Hayes got into the ring and reminded Knight that he’s beaten Andrade two-straight and that means he’s next in line for a U.S. title shot. Knight said he isn’t worried about having the match of the night; he’s worried about winning. Hayes was talking and wouldn’t you know it: Andrade’s music hit. He walked out with a microphone.

Andrade said he knows Hayes beat him twice, but he also beat Hayes twice, too. Hayes said nobody remembers that and Andrade said not only does he remember, but everyone else does, too. The crowd cheered. Andrade said he deserves a shot at Knight’s title. Knight said he didn’t have time to listen to Hayes and Andrade argue. Andrade reminded Knight that Andrade was once a U.S. Champion. Andrade spoke in Spanish and Knight said he didn’t understand a word Andrade said, but Andrade needs to check his tone. The three got physical and Knight hit a BFT on Andrade. Hayes jawed at Andrade and Knight, naturally, gave Hayes a BFT as well to end the segment.

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– Waller and Theory were walking backstage and ran into Aldis. Waller asked Aldis for a tag match between A-Town Down and Owens and a partner of Owens’s choice.

Chelsea Green defeated Michin [3:56]

Tough beats for Michin these last couple weeks. First, she takes that finisher from Jax inside a trashcan; then, she loses to Chelsea Green in the middle of the ring. More importantly, that crowd was doing nothing for Michin, no matter how hard she tried to get them engaged. It was tough to watch. Still, Green and Michin getting television time like this is a good thing and it spreads out the women’s division outside of a title picture, which, again, is a very good thing. The women worked hard here and attention should be paid, even if it was for only four minutes. This leads to Michin vs. Niven, right?

Michin had control early but sold stomach pain from last week’s match with Nia Jax. Green quickly took note of that and went after Michin’s midsection. Cole noted how both women are both former TNA Knockout Champions. What a time. Green hit a shotgun dropkick for a two-count and followed that up with a body-scissors. Michin came back with a head-scissors takedown and a shotgun dropkick of her own. Michin tried to fire up the crowd, but the crowd wasn’t very kind.

Michin set up for her finisher, but Piper Niven got on the apron to distract Michin. This eventually led to Green being on the outside and Michin hit a suicide dive onto Green. Michin went to get back in the ring, but Niven distracted Michin again. Green kicked Michin off the apron and Niven hit a running Senton on Michin on the outside. Back in the ring, Green hit the Un-Pretty-Her for the win.

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– A video recapping the Cargill & Belair tag title win from Bash In Berlin aired.

– Next week, that A-Town Down Under vs. Owens and a mystery partner will take place. Also on tap, Andrade vs. Melo No. 5 will go down. And, of course, Sikoa vs. Cody in a steel cage will headline the show.

– Byron Saxton interviewed the babyface team for the main event in the locker room. Johnny Gargano said that #DIY and the Profits aren’t family, but they have a lot of respect for each other. Ciampa said the Bloodline have held the tag titles hostage before. Dawkins chimed in and said if teaming with #DIY means they can stop the Bloodline, they like it. The Bloodline made their entrance for the main event.

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu & Tonga Loa) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) & #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) [11:00]

Predictable, but affecting nonetheless. Sikoa isn’t going into his world title match a loser next week, and the Bloodline needed a strong comeback moment after kind of being buried in the mix over the last couple weeks. Jacob Fatu, man. The money is in him vs. Cody (nee, Roman or The Rock), but I have a feeling we’re going to take a long, winding road to get there. Fatu has exceeded every single expectation I had for him in WWE, and boy, I had a lot of them. Maybe this sets up #DIY vs. the Profits? Probably. They made a good point before the match, saying the Bloodline held those tag belts hostage for a long time a few years ago; I hope that’s not the case this time. In the meantime, it’s on to USA. I very much appreciate that because if nothing else, SmackDown won’t be pre-empted by AHL hockey or Philadelphia Eagles preseason games on USA and I won’t have to annoy my coworkers here more than I already do. It’s been fun, FOX. Onward, we go.

All eight men brawled to start the match. The babyfaces got the best of the exchange and the heels retreated to the outside. Dawkins and Loa started the match proper in the middle of the ring. Ford tagged in and shoulder-blocked Loa to the ground. Ford then kicked Loa and hit a standing frog splash for a one-count. Tonga tagged in before long and worked over Ford with a series of strikes. Gargano tagged in and slingshot-speared Tonga. Ciampa tagged in and hit a running knee on Tonga. Fatu executed a blind tag and elbowed the hell out of Ciampa. Fatu tagged in Sikoa and Sikoa ran Ciampa into the commentary table. Sikoa posed on top of the table to take the show to its final commercial break on FOX.

Back from that break, the heels were working over Ciampa until Ciampa suplexed Tonga. Sikoa then tagged in, but Ciampa kicked Sikoa and tagged both Dawkins and Gargano, who hit a bunch of double-team moves on Sikoa. Nobody knew who the legal man was. Things broke down and Ford landed a splash on Fatu on the outside. Gargano took out Tonga. Dawkins hit a neck-breaker on Sikoa. Ciampa then tagged back in, but Sikoa caught Ciampa and slammed Ciampa for a good near-fall. Tonga went to the top, but Ciampa crotched Tonga. Ciampa went to the top and suplexed Tonga onto the other six guys in the match in a very fun spot.

The crowd chanted “Holy sh–!,” which was muted. Back in the ring, Ford tagged in and went to the top to hit a 450 splash on Tonga, but Fatu broke up the pin attempt and drove Ford into a ring post. Fatu dragged Tonga to the corner to tag in and then Fatu hit a fury of moves on all the babyfaces. Fatu landed an Impaler on Ford and tagged in Sikoa, who landed the Samoan Spike on Ford – twice! – for the win. The Bloodline posed in the middle of the ring to end the show.