Warning: The following copy has SPOLIERS for WWE SmackDown (Jan 3,2025)
In its first week ofWWEmoving the “second show” to three hours,WWE SmackDown from Phoenix, AZ, was loaded with incidents. Sami Zayn and The Usos competed in 6-man Tag Team action against The Bloodline in the night’s Main Event. Earlier in the evening,Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa met in the ring ahead of Monday’s Tribal Combat matchwith Roman Reigns, and Drew McIntyre continued to make his presence felt.
Elsewhere, gold was on the line as DIY defended the tag team championship against Motor City Machine Guns, andNia Jax put her title on the line against Naomi in a very eventful WWE Women’s Championship match. Michin and Piper Niven continued their feud with US Champion Chelsea Green waiting in the wings, Shinsuke Nakamura vs Andrade met in a hard-hitting match, and Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens continued their feud ahead of their match at the Royal Rumble.
WWE SmackDown Results - May 31, 2025
Cody Rhodes Is Given More To Think About
Cody Rhodes openedSmackDownin somber and serious tone, ready to address Kevin Owens, before being interrupted by Raw’s Drew McIntyre. That’s only part of the surprise, asDrew gave Cody a big hug and insisted he was here to help. Seeing any kind of positivity or affection from Drew after the last 12 months is alarming at this juncture, butMcIntyre’s big plans for 2025 are off to a strong start.
Drew’s words fell on deaf ears, asCody didn’t trust the Scottish Warrior and, in return, McIntyre told Cody “watch your back”, followed by Kevin Owens attacking him from behind. Jey Uso would later step to Kevin Owens backstage, who told him to “watch your back”. Coincidence? Jey Uso faces Drew McIntyre on the upcoming Netflix premiere of Monday Night Raw, so he really ought to watch his back on Monday.
Shinsuke Nakamura Benefits From SmackDown’s Extra Hour
The extended entrance for Shinsuke Nakamura felt great.SmackDown’s extra minutes should be used to increase the exposure for their mid-card champions and their competition. The stiff, hard-hitting match made both champion and the challenger look tough as nails.Shinsuke got the win with a bludgeoning Kinshasa,his blood-curdling facial mannerisms adding to his increasingly menacing mystique. LA Knight then hit the ring and promised he would get his US Championship back. Great stuff from everyone.
Paul Heyman Learns His Tribal Combat Role
If you had not seen a single second of WWE television since Solo Sikoa decided it was his time to lead The Bloodline as The Tribal Chief,Paul Heyman sold the entire storyline and the importance of the role in 5 phenomenal moments. A master at work and a job well done. It was always a bold move from The Wiseman, and so it proved to be as Solo’s music filled the arena. He assured Roman’s counsel that he would emerge victorious, and wants Heyman to handle the Ula Fala while the match takes place. Expect fireworks.
Smackdown’s Exciting Tag Team Turmoil
Tag Teams getting consistent TV time and storylines is paying dividends onSmackDown. Pretty Deadly’slies about Legado Del Fantasma injuring The Street Profits on last week’sSmackDowncaught up with them, as they were confronted by Apollo Crews (nicknamed “Apollo Stooge” by the heels), Santos Escobar, and his squad. DIY continued to deny their involvement, and their title defense against Motor City Machine Guns descended into chaos, brawling and a no contest that robbed the challengers of victory. All this and a Motor City Machine Guns vignette happened in the first half ofSmackDown.It’s a good time to be a tag team on the blue brand.
The Queen Defends Her Crown, Before Finally Being Dethroned
Nia Jax and Naomi’s WWE Women’s Championship match was a war. So many near falls and great spots in this longer match, with Nia’s second-rope leg-drop and Samoan drops both being particularly impactful.Nia emerged victorious after Tiffany Stratton interfered,hitting Naomi in the head with her Money In The Bank briefcase.
And thenall hell broke loose, ending in Tiffany Stratton being the new WWE Women’s Champion. Bianca Belair would enter the ring to hit a KOD on Nia for attacking Naomi after the bell, Tiffany then took out Candace LeRae, then Bianca, before cashing in, landing the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and getting the 3-count that made Stratton the new champion. The swerve fooled us all, and this was a perfect moment. It’s finally Tiffy Time. Drink it in.
The Bloodline Set The Stage For Monday’s Netflix Debut
The entrance for Sami Zayn and The Usos was so turbo-charged that the Yeeting extended to the crowd, the commentary and a particularly enthusiastic Lilian Garcia. It feels like Daniel Bryan’s “yes!” movement at its height when The OG Bloodline are in the building right now. Despite that,Solo Sikoa earned his team the victory after Jey Uso forgot his opponent was the legal man. It’s a big pinfall for the young Tribal Chief, ahead of the biggest night of his career this Monday.
In closing, Tiffany Stratton’s drama-fueled swerve while cashing in her Money In The Bank contract is going to be in Best Of lists for years. Former champion Nia is going to have issue with Binaca Belair, Candace LeRae, Naomi and the new WWE Women’s Champion. Heyman, Solo, The Bloodline and The Usos did a fantastic job of building intrigue ahead of Monday’s enormous Raw on Netflix premiere, andthe union between Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens alluded to throughoutSmackDownis a welcome and exciting new dynamicfor the new year. All this and the men’s and women’s mid-card and Tag Team division were given more spotlight withSmackDown’s extra hour in what wasa resounding success for night one of a three-hourSmackDown.
