By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,333)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Wells Fargo Center
Aired live March 7, 2025 on USA Network
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary and narrated various arrival shots. Drew McIntyre was the last person shown arriving and he immediately ran over and hit Damian Priest from behind. “What did you think was gonna happen?” McIntyre asked before ramming Priest’s head into a production crate…
Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from the broadcast table and set up a video package that recapped the Elimination Chamber event and concluded with John Cena’s heel turn…
Randy Orton made his entrance. Tessitore listed the attendance as 16,728. Orton did the three-hour show entrance in that he took his time getting to ringside, took even more time getting in the ring, and then took a lap around the ring and played to the crowd
Orton said a lot of crazy things since he was last in the ring. Orton said that ever since he started in the business, John Cena has always been on the top of the profession. “And now he’s a bottom for Rock,” Orton said. “I guess that gives a whole new meaning to the term Rock Bottom, doesn’t it?” Orton looked into the camera and asked, “Doesn’t it, John?”
Orton welcomed fans to Smackdown. He said Cena was on the short list of friends he had in the business, as was Kevin Owens. Orton said he respects Owens the wrestler and the story of the way he busted his ass to get to WWE is quite admirable. Orton said it’s Owens the man that he has a problem with.
Orton spoke about how jealousy fuels Owens and pointed to Owens trying to end the career of Cody Rhodes because he was jealous of the gold around Cody’s waist. Orton said Owens tried to end Sami Zayn’s career because Zayn has slowly but surely become better than Owens.
Orton questioned why Owens was jealous of him and pointed out that Owens headlined WrestleMania twice, including once against Steve Austin. Orton said Owens is never satisfied. Orton said he had a spinal fusion a year-and-a-half ago and several doctors told him it would end his career, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Orton said he told himself not to take anything for granted to let anything piss him off, but Owens has pissed him off.
Orton recalled putting Owens down with an RKO to save Zayn at Elimination Chamber. He said he had a feeling he hasn’t had in a long time. He said the voices spoke to him and told him to kick Owens. Orton said he would show that Pat McAfee is the second best punter in WWE…
Powell’s POV: Orton took his sweet time getting to the ring, but he delivered a good promo. He just seems so much more relaxed with his mic work than he did for many years during his career.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven interrupting Tiffany Stratton’s conversation with Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis. Stratton called for a match against Niven. Green said no because of her match, but Aldis said he calls the shots and made the match… Tiffany Stratton made her entrance… [C]
Online overreactions to the Cena turn were shown… Piper Niven made her entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Lilian Garcia…
1. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Piper Niven in a non-title match. Chelsea Green was not at ringside with Niven, who performed an early cannonball dive from the apron onto Stratton at ringside heading into a break. [C]
Tessitore said this was the first singles match between Stratton and Niven. Stratton hit a Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Niven came back with a Boss Man Slam for a two count. Niven pulled Stratton to a corner of the ring and went for a second rope splash that Stratton avoided. Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and scored the pin.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton beat Piper Niven in roughly 8:00 in a non-title match.
After the match, Charlotte Flair entered the ring and clipped Stratton’s left knee. Flair put Stratton in a Figure 8. A group of referees tried to talk down Flair, who eventually released the hold. Flair played to the crowd for heat while Stratton sold knee pain…
Powell’s POV: The build to Stratton vs. Flair at WrestleMania has been pretty basic thus far with Flair getting the better of the young champion. Niven is a fun part of Green’s act, but I really hope the time comes when she’s positioned as serious monster heel.
Footage aired of Nick Aldis at a whiteboard explaining the current dynamic in the WWE Tag Team Title picture with champions DIY and their potential challengers the Motor City Machine Guns, The Street Profits, Pretty Deadly, Los Garza. Clips of the key storyline developments were shown as Aldis spoke. Aldis said it’s been nonstop fighting and chaos. He said his solution is giving The Street Profits their long awaited WWE Tag Team Title match on next week’s show. Aldis also announced Motor City Machine Guns vs. Pretty Deadly vs. Los Garza to determine who will be the next No. 1 contenders…
The Motor City Machine Guns made their entrance for the Triple Threat tag team match… [C]
Powell’s POV: I don’t know if it’s a DirecTV thing, but Head & Shoulders Bare got plenty of bang for their advertising dollar. For some reason, the screen froze on the final image of the commercial, causing the next match to be joined in progress.
2. “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson vs. “Los Garza” Angel and Berto in a Triple Threat to become No. 1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles. The match was joined in progress because of the aforementioned ad glitch and they went to a picture-in-picture commercial break moments later. [C]
Sabin hit a suicide dive on three of his four opponents. He got Prince Back in the ring and the Guns set up for their finisher. Wilson shoved Shelley off the ropes to break up the Skull & Bones attempt, and then Prince caught Sabin in a backslide and pinned him.
“Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson defeated “Los Garza” Angel and Berto and “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in a Triple Threat to become No. 1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: Okay, so technically they will become the “eventual” number one contenders, according to Tessitore. It’s a little odd to hold this match before next week’s tag team title match. Why have the Guns been made out to be just another tag team?
The broadcast team set up footage of Jade Cargill attacking Naomi during the Elimination Chamber match while a split screen shot showed Bianca Belair’s horrified reaction. Tessitore said Belair would speak after the break… [C]
A graphic noted that this was the 24th Smackdown held in Philadelphia, which has hosted two WrestleManias and was listed as the birthplace of ECW…
A graphic listed the attendance as 16,728. Four members of the Philadelphia 76ers were shown holding up a replica 76ers’ title belt in the front row. Were the fans booing? I guess being 20 games under .500 will get a team that reaction in Philly…
More embarrassingly over the top internet personality reactions to John Cena’s heel turn were shown…
Elimination Chamber winner Bianca Belair made her entrance.
[Hour Two] Belair wore shades and stood silently in the ring for a moment. She said she should feel like she’s on top of the world after winning the Elimination Chamber. She said she should be focussed on going to WrestleMania, but it’s tough to do that when two of your friends are fighting.
Belair said she and Jade Cargill elevated the tag team division together and then Naomi stepped in so their hard work wouldn’t go to waist. Belair said Naomi became her best friend and she doesn’t believe that Naomi would attack Cargill. Belair said she’s confused and neither woman have responded to her. Belair called for Naomi to come out and give her some answers.
Naomi made her entrance wearing glittery neck brace. Naomi told Belair that it’s not what it looks like and she needed her to lock in with her. Naomi asked who had her back when Jade couldn’t compete. Belair told her to stop and then asked if she attacked Jade.
Naomi said all of the outside noise is distracting from them focussing on getting the tag titles back and Belair focussing on WrestleMania. Belair told her to stop. She said it’s all about Jade right now. “Jade, Jade, Jade, Jade, Jade,” Naomi said before asking Belair if she wanted to know how she really feels about her.
Naomi said kept quiet to avoid hurting Jade’s feelings, but she felt that Jade was piggybacking off of Belair the entire time. Naomi said she was pushed to the side and had to fight for herself. Naomi said she let them get their flowers and didn’t say a word. Naomi said she didn’t give a damn about Jade. Belair and Naomi started talking over one another until Belair grabbed Naomi and told her to stop.
Belair demanded that Naomi give her a yes or no answer and threatened to walk out and never speak to Naomi again if she didn’t answer. With tears in her eyes, Naomi paused and then said, “I did it.” Naomi said she did it for Belair and “I did it for us.” Naomi reached out, but an emotional Belair told her not to touch her. Belair said it hurt because she loved Naomi and now she can’t even look at her.
Belair told Naomi that they are finished and exited the ring. “Why, because of her?” Naomi asked. Naomi pleased with Belair and told her that she did it for her. She told Belair not to walk out on her. Naomi said she could have pushed Jade harder and sooner. Naomi called Belair an ungrateful bitch. Belair looked back at the ring.
Footage aired on the big screen of an SUV arriving in the backstage area. Jade Cargill exited the vehicle and then made her entrance dressed in white with blood-like splotches on her outfit. Cargill stood by Belair for a moment. Belair essentially told Jade to go for it. Jade went to the ring and chased Naomi to ringside where she roughed her up and ran her into the ring post before tossing her back inside the ring. Cargill hit Naomi with Jaded and then stood over her…
Powell’s POV: It took some guts to hold that segment in front of the notoriously tough Philly fans. Naomi worked up real tears and did a pretty good job of acting like the psycho friend who did it all for Bianca. Jade came out and stood by Belair, so her character doesn’t think Bianca is in on it. But it felt too simple for Jade to get her revenge first at the Elimination Chamber and again tonight. I hope there’s more to this.
The broadcast team recapped footage of Damian Priest eliminating Drew McIntyre from the Elimination Chamber, which led to McIntyre attacking Priest and leaving him to be eliminated by Logan Paul. They also showed the earlier footage of McIntyre attacking Priest backstage…
Backstage, Byron Saxton approached Drew McIntyre and said some people said his attack on Damian Priest was unprovoked. McIntyre said so many people are shocked, but he could have prevented so many people from being heartbroken, but Priest slithered in and stole a pin. McIntyre said that if he doesn’t go to WrestleMania he has nothing left to give other than violence. He said it would start tonight with the black sheep of the family…
Braun Strowman made his entrance… [C] Footage aired of Cody Rhodes and Dallas Page surprising Lex Luger with the news of this WWE Hall of Fame induction…
Byron Saxton spoke with Charlotte Flair in the backstage area and asked her about attacking Tiffany Stratton. Flair said it was Stratton’s fault for not listening when she told her that she would follow her everywhere. She said the division seems to be soft and whenever she comes back it seems like she always has to remind everyone that there are levels to what they do.
B-Fab showed up and took exception to what Flair said. Flair told her that no one compares to her. B-Fab said Flair has been gone for a long time, but no one wants to compare to Flair because they want to make their own legacy. Flair said everyone bows down to her eventually. Flair told B-Fab that she would show her how to bow down next week on Smackdown in Barcelona, Spain…
Solo Sikoa made his entrance…
3. Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa. Strowman sent Solo to ringside and went after him. Strowman ran into the ring steps after Solo sidestepped him. Solo hit Strowman with a hip attack against the ringside barricade. [C]
Strowman went on the offensive and set up for a powerslam, but Solo slipped away and shoved him into the corner. Strowman came right back with a powerslam and had the pin, but Tama Tonga ran in and attacked Strowman for the DQ.
Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa by DQ in 7:00.
After the match, Jacob Fatu made his entrance. Strowman stood on the floor in front of the broadcast table and had a staredown with Fatu, who was on the other side of the ring. They both climbed onto the apron and stared at each other while the crowd chanted for Fatu.
Both wrestlers entered the ring and threw punches. Fatu superkicked Strowman twice, sending him to ringside. Fatu went for a suicide dive, but Strowman stuffed it and chokeslammed him onto the broadcast table. Strowman tore off his shirt and played to the crowd. Fatu stood up on the broadcast table and then hit Strowman with a flying elbow once he turned around. Fatu ran Strowman over the barricade. Fatu climbed on top of the barricade and hit another flying elbow.
The fight moved into the production area. Fatu got Strowman on top of some production creates. Fatu hoisted up Strowman on his shoulders, but Strowman fought free and then chokeslammed Fatu through two tables below. Strowman played to the crowd and was cheered. Producers and referees checked on Fatu and had to hold him back once he stood up. Tessitore questioned how Fatu keeps getting up…
Powell’s POV: They are obviously setting up a Fatu vs. Strowman rematch. The question is whether it’s a WrestleMania feud or something they’ll blow off on television.
LA Knight was interviewed by Byron Saxton in the backstage area. Knight said it was all gas and no brakes when Fatu went through the table. Knight spoke about how it would take only one BFT to reset Shinsuke Nakamura to his factory settings. Knight said Philadelphia is the birthplace of the United States and would be the birthplace of his rebirth as U.S. Champion. Knight said Old Glory has needed a better representation as of late and said he would provide that and then everyone can pledge allegiance to the U.S. Champion…
Backstage, Chelsea Green was dressed like Cactus Jack while trying to revive a beaten up Piper Niven. Zelina Vega showed up and said she would be coming for the winner of Green vs. Michin. Green grabbed Niven by the tie and dragged her through the backstage area and then they made their entrance..
Powell’s POV: Green has her own image on the Cactus Jack “Dead Or Alive” t-shirt. She also has lettering on the side of her pants and boots similar to Cactus Jack. Hilarious. Someday Chelsea Green is going to face Harley Cameron and all of the world’s problems will instantly be solved.
Tessitore hyped Cody Rhodes addressing the John Cena turn later in the show… Michin made her entrance wearing an Eagles shirt and brought a trashcan filled with weapons to the ring with her. Barrett noted that Green was introduced as being from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico for one night only. Green met Michin on the floor and they fought before the match. Michin placed an assortment of weapons in the ring…
4. Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven) vs. Michin in a street fight for the Women’s U.S. Championship. The referee started the match once Michin entered the ring. Both women ended up at ringside. Michin pulled a table out from underneath the ring. Green attacked Michin to delay the table spot for heat heading into a PIP break. [C]
Michin sprayed a fire extinguisher in Green’s face. Michin went for the table, but this time Niven cut her off. In the ring, Green hit the Van Terminator (Barrett used WWE lingo by calling it Coast To Coast even though Tessitore had been talking about ECW) on Michin for a near fall. B-Fab ran out and worked over Niven with a kendo stick.
Michin finally got the table in the ring. A small ECW chant broke out, causing Michin to look to the crowd. Green hit her from behind and set up the table. Michin battled back and hit Eat Defeat. Green ended up on the table. One side of the table’s legs gave out. Michin hit a top rope senton and went for the pin, but a hooded person pulled Green out of the ring.
The hooded person kicked Michin. Alba Fyre revealed her identify and then hit Michin with a Destroyer. Fyre rolled Green back inside the ring where she covered Michin and got the three count.
Chelsea Green defeated Michin in 10:00 in a street fight retain the Women’s U.S. Championship.
After the match, Fyre saluted twice. Barrett said Green’s administration had grown in numbers and power…
Powell’s POV: Are they setting up an actual women’s faction or will this be more along the lines of Candice LeRae and Tiffany Stratton failing to coexist as Nia Jax’s minions?
Backstage, Santos Escobar scolded Angel and Berto for failing to win the Triple Threat. Escobar said things needed to start changing for Legado Del Fantasma. Escobar said he didn’t expect it this time, he was demanding it, and then he walked away. Angel said Escobar had a point and then he made his exit. Andrade showed up and told Berto that he knows him and he deserves better…
Tessitore hyped Cody Rhodes for after the break… [C]
[Hour Three] Footage aired of TKO announcing that they are now in the boxing business… Footage aired of Cody telling The Rock go go f— himself and then being attacked by Cena at Elimination Chamber…
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance and was sporting a black eye. Cody didn’t play along with the “whoa” part of his song, but he did shake a few hands on his way to the ring. Cody placed the belt upright on the mat at the bottom of the WWE logo in the middle of the ring. A “Cena sucks” chant broke out.
Cody asked the “city of champions” what they wanted to talk about. Cody said the obvious answer was the most watched segment in WWE and pro wrestling history with him on the bottom tasting his own blood. Cody asked what you say to a girl who isn’t even four years-old when she asks, “Papa, what happened to your face?”
Cody said it wasn’t a conversation he was prepared to have, so he told her a “Cody Lie” by saying he ran into a wall. He said it was a wall designed by The Rock, his associate Travis Scott, and by his WrestleMania 41 opponent John Cena. The fans booed the names of all three men. Cody said he drove Cena around for two years to sponge all of the information he could. Cody said he felt Cena was a hero.
Cody said one day he’ll tell his daughter what actually happened. He said he’ll tell her that a great man who did great things and was his model in the sport who ran to the ring wearing a shirt that reads “Never Give Up” gave up. Cody said he and the fans all want to know why. Cody said if he knows his old friend Cena, it will be a very smooth and well crafted retort and he will feel bulletproof and justified.
Cody said there is no justification for Cena. Cody said he was well aware that he was talking to the whole world. He said that for the fans in the room, Philadelphia was the one place his father was afraid to perform in. Cody said Dusty Rhodes painted his face like a Road Warrior to get fans to cheer for him.
Cody spoke about his experience of the fans cheering for him and chose him, just as they did again last year across the street when he was trying to finish his story. A “Cody” chant broke out. Cody told people they could go back and watch what John Cena said to him at the end of WrestleMania 40 when he told him that the WWE Championship gets heavier every day.
Cody picked up the WWE Championship belt and said it’s not heavy enough. Cody said he knew Cena was watching. Cody said he knew Cena thought his successor had to look like him and talk like him and be like him. Cody said the next one doesn’t look like the last one. Cody said Cena is convinced he is the last of his kind, but he’s not.
Cody said he was standing there holding up the title above his head as if it weighs nothing and he will do it at WrestleMania. Cody told Cena that if he wants some, come get some. Cody dropped the mic and looked at the WrestleMania sign while Tessitore said we’re 43 days away from the two-night event…
Powell’s POV: An outstanding promo. Cody crushed it. I’m ready for WrestleMania and we haven’t even heard John Cena’s first heel promo.
The Miz spoke with Carmelo Hayes and Nick Aldis. Miz said Cody and the world saw the John Cena that he was always talking about. Miz made a pitch for a “Melo Don’t Miz” talkshow. Hayes said he didn’t agree to that. Hayes said The Final Boss made Cody the offer of a lifetime, but Cody fumbled the ball at the one-yard line. Hayes mentioned Randy Orton coming off the couch from playing Fornite to make more money.
Randy Orton entered the picture and said Fortnite is for kids. Orton mentioned the game he was playing. Aldis asked Orton how he felt about facing Hayes next week in Barcelona. Orton said he loved the idea, then told Hayes he was at the one-yard line and he better not fumble…
Jimmy Uso made his entrance and went right after McIntyre to start their match…
5. Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso. Jimmy sent McIntyre to ringside and went for a suicide dive, but McIntyre caught him with a punch. McIntyre put Jimmy on his shoulders at ringside, but Jimmy slipped away and then superkicked him. Jimmy dove onto McIntyre and both men tumbled over the broadcast table. [C]
McIntyre set up for a superplex, but Jimmy fought free. McIntyre fell to the mat and landed on his feet. McIntyre limped. Jimmy superkicked him and then covered him for a two count. There was a lot of communication between the wrestlers. Uso went up top and rolled through when McIntyre was going to avoid the Uso Splash. McIntyre drilled Uso with a Claymore Kick and then pinned him.
Drew McIntyre defeated Jimmy Uso in roughly 7:00.
After the match, McIntyre exited the ring and looked back at Jimmy. Damian Priest ran out and hit McIntyre from behind. A bunch of producers and referees tried to pull off Priest, who said he would come after McIntyre every week. McIntyre got up and Priest escaped long enough to put him down again…
Powell’s POV: McIntyre seemed fine when he ran the ropes and hit the Claymore, so I’m not sure why there was so much talking between him and Jimmy shortly before the finish.
A Shinsuke Nakamura video promo aired. Nakamura spoke in Japanese while English subtitles were shown. Nakamura said he knew Knight would stubbornly make one final attempt at his championship. Nakamura said there was no better location for the death of Knight’s dreams than the birthplace of the United States. Nakamura said Knight will beg for mercy and will find none… [C]
A sponsored video spotlighted “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins…
WWE Tag Team Champions “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the backstage area about their title defense against the Street Profits. Gargano said the tag division is on fire, but there is only one best team in the world. Ciampa said the Profits have returned with a new attitude. Gargano said the Street Profits are getting in the ring with the best and that means their dream is already dead. Ciampa called for a moment of silence for the Profits and their dream of becoming the next champions. Saxton tried to speak, but Gargano said it was a moment of silence…
The following matches were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Barcelona, Spain: DIY vs. The Street Profits for the WWE Tag Team Titles, Charlotte Flair vs. B-Fab, Randy Orton vs. Carmelo Hayes, and Miz TV with guest Cody Rhodes…
LA Knight made his entrance for the main event… [C] Tessitore read through the results from earlier in the show while graphics also displayed them… Shinsuke Nakamura made his entrance…
6. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight for the U.S. Championship. Lilian Garcia delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Knight clotheslined Nakamura to ringside and then dropkicked him through the ropes heading into a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Knight caught Nakamura on the ropes and superplexed him. Knight went to the middle rope and then hopped up top and dropped an elbow. Knight went for his BFT finisher, but Nakamura pushed him off and fled to ringside. Knight went to the floor and blocked a chair shot. Knight took the chair and wound up to use it, but the referee talked him down.
Nakamura hit Knight with a back elbow. Nakamura brought the chair inside the ring and wound up to hit Nakamura with it, but the referee stopped him. Knight charged Nakamura, who moved, and then Knight stopped short of running into referee Charles Robinson. Nakamura sprayed mist meant for Knight, who ducked, causing the referee to take the red mist. REF BUMP!!!
Nakamura put Knight down with a kick and then him with Scorpion Rising, which Barrett said was a move used by former NXT UK Women’s Champion Meiko Satomura. Nakamura grabbed the chair, but Knight booted it into his face. Knight hit the BFT on top of a chair and made the cover. A second referee ran out and made the three count.
LA Knight defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in 11:10 to win the U.S. Championship.
After the match, pyro shot off on the stage while Knight celebrated on the ropes and the executive producer credits were displayed to end the show…
Powell’s POV: Will the title change stick? Could this be a version of the “Dusty Finish” in that we find out later that the first referee disqualified Nakamura once he was sprayed with the mist? That would eliminate the second referee counting the pin and keep the title on Nakamura. It was a popular finish that was run into the ground years ago.
Overall, three hours is too long for a weekly pro wrestling television show, but they filled the time pretty well this week. The Cody Rhodes promo was the highlight of the show. I will have more to say about Smackdown during my weekly same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Smackdown by grading it below.
Join me for my live review of AEW Revolution on Sunday night.
Priest is a stud, but I wish Drew had a different WM opp.
Not that I disagree, but how would you change the card to give McIntyre a better match?
I wouldnt mind him in a U.S. or Intercontinental title match. A little something at stake, but I’m sure he and Priest will kill it.
Kudos to Barrett for acknowleding Niven’s ability and monster heel potential. When she turns on Chelsea it’ll be amazing.
I loved the Cactus Chelsea look. She really is a helluva talent
Disappointed in you Powell. You didn’t get the Rikishi “I did it got you Rock” in the Naomi segment? It was awesome.
I love throw back Easter Eggs. For me, highlight of the night was Chelsea Green wearing the Wanted Dead or Alive shirt, with her profile.
So much for the “can’t fill three hours” narrative.
Orton was a touch long, but okay.
But damn — the women were showing out tonight. The Bianca/Naomi segment was the most emotional, best acted segment in the division since Becky told Asuka she was gonna leave to be a mom. Massive kudos.
Also to Chelsea Green, who has taken her character work and in-ring to great levels.
About the only thing you could complain about is a “lackluster” men’s tag division, but a couple of years ago we would have begged to have even half this many actual teams be given time and relevance.
Good points…Agreed!
Orton really welcomed everyone to “RAW”? Senile bastard!!!
He actually said welcome to Smackdown actually so he’s not senile quite yet.
Cody was on fire. Best promo of 2025 so far