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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MAY 2, 2025
DES MOINES, IOWA AT WELLS FARGO ARENA
AIRED ON LIVE ON USA NETWORK AND LIVE ON NETFLIX INTERNATIONALLY
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports that 7,164 tickets were distributed going into the show tonight. The arena has a capacity of 16,980 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Tej Narayanan to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
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[HOUR ONE]
-After “Then, Now, Together, Forever” narrated by Triple H, Joe Tessitore introduced the episode as they showed an aerial view of downtown Des Moines, Iowa (and its cool pedestrian bridge). Then they showed Randy Orton walking backstage followed by Tiffany Stratton. They showed Miz and Carmelo Hayes stepping out of a bus in the parking lot. Then backstage to Damien Priest who ran into Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. They shoved and yelled at each other as officials stepped between them. L.A. Knight walked past the scene and headed to the ring.
-Knight made his entrance. He said last week he asked for his rematch for the U.S. Title, but instead he was told he was going to have a no. 1 contendership match. Fans booed. He said he did what he needed to do and had the match, but it didn’t go his way. He said that’s because Solo Sikoa “brought his pumpkin-head lookin’ ass out here” followed by Fatu who dropped moonsaults on everybody. He said it happened because of Damian Priest. He said he doesn’t have a problem with him and he knows what he was intending to do. Priest’s music played and interrupted Knight.
Priest marched out to the ring. Wade Barrett said Priest was trying to help Knight last week, but it caused him to get DQ’d. Priest assured Knight what happened last week wasn’t about him, it was about Drew McIntyre. He said he came out there to shut up Drew after he brought up his family. Knight said he gets wanting to knock his name out of his mouth, but he picked the wrong time. He said the bell rang because of him. Priest said Solo spiked Knight and all he did was save him from eating a Claymore and getting pinned 1-2-3. Knight said he is living in the past. He said just because Drew beat him with a Claymore, “don’t put that on me.” He said Priest’s failures shouldn’t be his since he might’ve kicked out or hit a BFT. Priest said this is all happening because he lost his title at WrestleMania.
Knight said he understands that, but he vowed to get it back, but that’s not happening because of him. “I can’t say it any clearer,” he said. Priest said Knight’s frustrations are his fault. “Maybe if your head wasn’t up at your ass at ‘Mania, you’d still be champion,” Priest said. Knight said the whole thing is they don’t have a problem, but if he keeps talking like that, they will. Priest said their match is scheduled for later, but why wait. Knight agreed. A ref ran to the ring. [c]
(1) L.A. KNIGHT vs. DAMIAN PRIEST
The match was joined in progress 13 minutes into the hour. Priest got the better of Knight at 4:00. Knight made a comeback and landed a top rope elbow for a two count. Both were slow to get up as they cut to a double-box break at 5:00. [c/db]
Priest landed a Razor’s Edge after the break for a near fall. Priest landed a Broken Arrow. Knight came back with a superplex. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Priest caught Knight with a Flatliner against the ring apron at ringside a minute later. He rolled Knight into the ring, but then Solo attacked him.
WINNER: Knight in roughly 12:00 via DQ.
-After the match, Solo set up a Samoan Spike on Knight, but Priest blocked it and punched him. Knight then caught Solo with a BFT. Knight and Priest faced off and eyed each other. Priest then dropped to ringside and cleared the announce table. Knight shoved Solo to ringside where Priest set up a move, but Fatu leaped through the ropes and tackled Priest. Knight went for the save, but Fatu gave him a Samoan Drop onto the desk. He then charged at Knight with a hip attack against the ringside barricade.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get they’re building up the U.S. Title match, but this continues the trend of way too many matches ending without any kind of resolution that has anything to do with the action in the ring leading up to it, rendering the battle pointless up to that point.)
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside who pivoted to talking over highlights of the debut of Fraxiom last week.
-Byron Saxton interviewed Axiom and Nathan Frasier. He asked them about facing Pretty Deadly tonight. Frasier said they’re excited. Axiom said this is the best tag team division on the planet. Pretty Deadly walked in and told Saxton to leave. Pretty Deadly said they’re the tastiest snacks around. They said they want to find out if they’re any good against them.
(Keller’s Analysis: Pretty Deadly’s trash talking crossed into obnoxious heel territory. They’ve been all over the place as character, so of course fans don’t really have a strong response to them as a result.)
-Pretty Deadly made their entrance. [c]
-They showed Michael Bisping in the front row.
(2) PRETTY DEADLY (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) vs. FRAXIOM (Nathan Frasier & Axiom)
Tessitore said Fraxiom dominated the NXT tag team scene over the last year and noted they have a distinct style. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour. Barrett said a lot of people are calling Fraxiom the best tag team on Earth based on their NXT performances, but he’s not ready to go there yet. They cut to a break at 3:00 with Pretty Deadly in control. [c]
Frasier tagged in after the break. Tessitore said, “He is an absolute vapor trail.” Frasier landed a shooting star press for a two count. They played up that Prince didn’t kick out. He as bleeding from his mouth and chin and was momentarily stunned due to Frasier landing elbow-first on his chin. It appeared he might’ve lifted his right shoulder opposite of the camera view. Princed tagged out to Wilson who took over. Barrett said Prince appeared to be out of the match at ringside, leaving Wilson to fend for himself. Axiom gave him a Spanish Fly off the top rope. Frazier then landed a Phoenix Splash after Wilson visibly shifted himself into position for the move.
WINNER: Fraiser & Axiom in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Frasier has to be more careful. It looked like he landed on Wilson’s head with his finisher just a couple minutes after busting up and bloodying Wilson who was still kneeling at ringside regaining his senses after the match.)
-Backstage, Michin and B-Fab chatted with G.M. Nick Aldis about wanting a tag title match. Chelsea Green walked in wearing all black in mourning her U.S. Title match. She was with Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Green said last week’s finish was “rigged by the deep state of jealous women in the locker room led by Zelina Vega.” Aldis said the ref counted to three. Green threatened to take Aldis to the Supreme Court. He laughed and said he has a show to run. Green asked for “the recount I deserve” and then she’d agree not to take him to the Supreme Court. Aldis told Piper she’s facing Zelina Vega one-on-one. He said if she wins, she’ll be first in line for a title shot and then if she won, maybe Green could be Piper’s Secret Hervice. Green looked light-headed due to the stress of such a scenario.
-They showed Orton backstage.
(Keller’s Analysis: The trolling of Donald Trump nonsense is amusing.) [c]
-They showed an aerial view of downtown St. Louis as Tessitore plugged Backlash. Then the video package aired on the history of John Cena and Randy Orton focused on their TLC match in 2013.
-Nia Jax made her entrance. They showed a clip of Jax’s attacked on Tiffany Stratton last week on Smackdown. Jax then said she is back to take what is hers. She was interrupted quickly by Tiffany. She told Jax she’s not the same Tiffany she used to boss around. She said cashing in against her was the best decision she made and she’d do it again. She said she went on to beat Charlotte Flair. She said she’ll bear her too if they ever lock up again. Jax asked if she was offering her a rematch. Fans chanted, “Tiffy Time!” She said she doesn’t make the matches around there, but she doesn’t shy away from fights. She offered to defend it against her anytime, anyplace, anywhere. They were interrupted by Naomi.
[HOUR TWO]
Naomi walked onto the stage and said Tiffany and Jax made her life hell last year. She said she’s not longer the sweet Naomi who stood behind Bianca Belair and let Jade Cargill walk over her. She said she has worked for everything she has ever achieved, and she’s not done going after gold. She said she’ll not only push her onto a car, she’ll push her under one if she has to
Jade Cargill made her way to the ring. All four brawled in the ring. Jade clotheslined Naomi over the top rope. Tiffany kicked Jax between the ropes to the floor. Jade and Tiffany circled each other. Aldis told them to settle down. He said if they’re eager for a fight, they should have a tag match. Barrett said they have a new main event after losing it earlier when Priest and Knight wrestled in the opener.
(Keller’s Analysis: The timeless universal question in these situations is what was Aldis planning to book if these four didn’t brawl like that.)
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside. Tessitore described Aleister Black as a post-Mania surprise and “a very dangerous, often mysterious, cryptic, capable Superstar.” A clip aired of Black’s return last week during a Miz segment.
-Backstage Carmelo told Miz they’ll show Black he can’t mess with them when they’re trying to have a moment. Miz said he has outlasted “next big things” and “flavors of the month” and “so-called legends.” Miz said if you target him, everybody talks. He said Black didn’t knock him out last week, he woke him up. He said he will remind everyone who he is. He headed to the ring to his music, with Carmelo following behind. [c]
(3) ALEISTER BLACK vs. THE MIZ (w/Carmelo Hayes)
Black’s ring entrance aired after the break. Tessitore said it’s been since October 2020 that Black had a match in WWE, 1,663 days. The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Miz charged, but Black went for a spinning hook kick, so Miz stopped and fell backwards. Black caught Miz’s boot when he went for a kick. Miz punched him and kneed him. Miz rolled to ringside. Black charged, but Miz moved, so Black backflipped off the middle rope and struck a pose mid-ring. Black kneed Miz and then elbowed him hard to the mat and scored a one count at 1:30. Barrett and Tessitore touted how fast and agile Black is. Carmelo looked over at Carmelo at ringside, giving Miz an opening to yank Black head-first onto the ring apron. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Miz beat up Black during the break. Barrett said Miz was putting on a master class and showing why he is so special when he drops the posturing and clowning around. Black made a comeback and landed a series of kicks and then a springboard bodypress for a near fall at 7:00. Miz came back with a DDT for a two count. Black no-sold some Yes Kicks to his chest, then took over offense. Miz snapped Black’s neck over the top rope and then went for a Skull Crushing Finale. Black cartwheeled out of it and stared down at a shocked, intimidated Miz. Black landed a leaping spinning knee to the side of Miz’s head. Carmelo distracted Black, so Miz rolled him up from behind for a two count. Black popped up and landed Black Mass for the win.
Black and Hayes had a staredown afterward. Hayes left the ring, clutching the Andre medallion as he helped Miz to his feet and toward the back.
WINNER: Black in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Black looked phenomenal there. That also might’ve been Miz’s best WWE match in years. Sure seems like Black vs. Hayes is up next.)
-Santos Escobar told Rey Fenix his WrestleMania match was the embodiment of disappointment. He said he embarrassed Lucha Libre, too. He said Rey Mysterio picked him to take his place at WrestleMania and he blew it. He said he hopes Rey is out of the picture forever, and he is ready to take his place. He said he should listen closely to what he has to say. Fenix cut him off and told him to stay out of his business. He said the only luchador he trusts is Rey. He challenged Escobar to a match tonight.
-Zelina Vega made her entrance. She held up her U.S. Title belt with pride. [c]
-A video package aired on Pat McAfee. It showed him in the front row in 2009 at a Raw in Indianapolis. He talked with Stephanie McMahon how happy he was to be shown on TV.
-They showed Dion Dawkins of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, a four-time NFL Pro Bowl player.
(4) ZELINA VEGA vs. PIPER NIVEN – Non-title match
The bell rang 34 minutes into the hour. Barrett noted the physical size difference between them. Tessitore said that Green dressed like Jackie-O at President Kennedy’s funeral back in the 1960s. Niven overpowered and dominated Vega early. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Niven remained in control after the break. Vega made a comeback at 8:00 and landed a meteora for a two count. Niven avoided a Code Red and landed a side slam for a two count. Vega avoided a cannonball in the corner. Niven set up a slam, but Vega shifted into a DDT. She followed up with a top rope moonsault largely onto Niven’s legs leading to a two count. Vega set up a 619, but Green leaped onto the ring apron. Niven charged at Vega from behind, but Vega moved so Niven knocked Green off the ring apron. Vega then rolled up Niven into a jackknife cover for the three count.
WINNER: Vega in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good match that told a good story that fit Vega and Niven.)
-Aldis told Solo and Fatu backstage that they’re blown up two matches two weeks in a row. Solo said last week’s was Priest’s fault. Solo said they’re sending a message that everyone better stay out of Fatu’s way. Aldis announced that Fatu will defend against Priest and Knight at Backlash. Solo said Drew technically won the match and he earned no. 1 contender status. Aldis said he’s right, so it’ll be a Fatal Four-way instead. Fatu shot Solo a look. Then he told Aldis no matter who he puts in front of him, he’ll dog walk them. He said he’s all gas, no brakes. Solo said he can see Aldis is trying to screw Fatu over. Aldis said, “No Solo, you are.”
-Barrett hyped the main event tag match: Stratton & Cargill vs. Jax & Naomi. [c]
-Tessitore plugged tickets to Backlash in St. Louis.
-Randy Orton made his ring entrance. When his music stopped, a loud “Randy! Randy!” chant broke out. Orton welcomed everyone to Friday Night Smackdown. An RKO chant broke out. When he mentioned John Cena’s name, boos rang out. He said when the world couldn’t see him, he could. He said it took about 20 years for the fans to see what kind of man he is, “but I knew from Day One.” He said he is arrogant, selfish, entitled brat who gets whatever he wants. Fans chanted, “Cena sucks!”
[HOUR THREE]
He said Cena is the shiny new toy of the ultimate puppet master. He said Cena took advantage of the PG era. He said he was willing to be a walking, talking cartoon character while he was true to who he was. He said Cena “didn’t care about the boys in the back.” He said Cena only cared about his bottom line. He said he makes sure he has a brand new color t-shirt and other merch come out every month. “Anything he can squeeze his name onto will be on the merch stand,” he said.
He said Cena said last week the reason he never had kids is because he was busy raising all of the fans’ kids. “John, the only thing you have raised is the price of your merchandise, which the actual parents have to work a double (shift) in order to afford.” He said Cena has been selling his soul for 20 years. He said regarding hustle, loyalty, and respect, he’ll only give him hustle. He said he won’t give him loyalty and respect.
He said he won’t let Cena wipe his family legacy away. He said he’s merely the latest legend he’s putting down. He said he’ll do it in front of his wife and kids, the next legacy of Orton kids. He said he’ll punt kick his Lego-shaped head so hard, it’ll fly off his shoulders and through the gateway arch. “But not before I drop you ass with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment – R-K-O!” Fans finished it for him.
(Keller’s Analysis: A stellar Orton promo, although I’m not sure what it’s going to do for WWE merch sales going forward. It’s great to hear a crowd decide they actually like the designated babyface in the storyline enough to cheer him and dislike the designated heel within the storyline enough to boo him. The Cena heel turn is framed so many different ways in WWE cannon, and Orton’s perspective is that Cena was always a phony rather than someone who got disenchanted over time.)
-Jax told Naomi they should focus on their respective rivals and they’ll be good. Naomi said, “Sure.” She said it with a tone that suggested he wasn’t interested in Jax being her boss and Jax seemed a bit thrown off.
-Rey Fenix made his entrance. [c]
-Tessitore plugged Worlds Collide and Money in teh Bank on June 7 in Los Angeles, Calif.
-R-Truth approached Orton backstage and said Cena is going to beat him and he has no chance at Backlash. “My childhood hero, John Cena, is going to beat Randy Orton,” he said. Jimmy Uso walked in and said he’d see Orton later. Orton walked away. Jimmy warned R-Truth that if he keeps talking like that, Orton is going punch his head off his shoulders. Truth said Cena told him he’s the last real champion and he wouldn’t lie to him.
(5) REY FENIX vs. SANTOS ESCOBAR
Escobar’s ring entrance took place. The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour. Tessitore talked about WWE acquiring AAA, which will be showcased in L.A. on July 7. Escobar got in early offense and told Rey to listen to him. He said he should be the boss and Rey should follow his orders as they take over together. Fenix fought back. Barrett said the luchadors backstage are all excited about the acquisition of AAA and want to be the centerpiece of the brand. Fenix took over with a body scissors sending Escobar to ringside. Escobar shoved Fenix into the ring apron as he played to the crowd. He followed with a running dive through the ropes, spearing Fenix to the ground. They cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
Escobar landed double-knees in the corner and scored a two count at 11:00. Fenix made a comeback and finished Escobar with a top rope meteora. Barrett said it was a different kind of victory for Fenix than what they’ve seen from him so far.f
WINNER: Fenix in 12:00.
-Saxton approached Tiffany and Jade backstage. Tiffany said Jax will have to learn that this title belongs to her. She said as long as Cargill stays out of her way, they won’t have a problem. Jade said she spoke to Aldis and arranged to wrestle Jax next week in a no. 1 contendership match, with the winner getting a shot against her. “So yeah, handle that,” Jade said. Tiffany said she almost had her beat last week and she’ll do it all over again after she beats Jax. [c]
-Highlights aired of last week’s TLC match. Soundbites aired with the Street Profits afterward.
(Keller’s Analysis: I like that they highlighted last week’s main event here as it conveyed to viewers it was a big deal.)
-Escobar yelled at Angel and Humberto backstage about not being there for him. Andrade walked in and asked what his problem is. He told Escobar he doesn’t care about Humberto and Angel and he doesn’t like him. He said he doesn’t have respect of honor. Escobar told Angel and Humberto follow him. Angel did, but Humberto didn’t. He lingered near Andrade until Escobar returned and insisted he follow him.
-Tessitore hyped that Cena will appear on Smackdown next Friday, the night before Backlash. They hyped next week’s Smackdown matches.
-Cargill’s ring entrance took place.
(6) TIFFANY STRATTON & JADE CARGILL vs. NIA JAX & NAOMI
Tiffany’s ring entrance took place after the break. Then Jax and Naomi separately. The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. Jax and Tiffany brawled at ringside as Cargill battled Naomi in the ring. Barrett asked if it would be a tag match or just two separate fights. They cut to a commercial at 3:00 with Jax in control. [c/db]
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Tej Narayanan to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.