By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,335)
Bologna, Italy at Unipol Arena
Aired live March 21, 2025 on Netflix internationally (same day tape delay on USA Network in the United States)
NOTE: This review was conducted earlier today as the show took place. For those following along at the usual time in North America, don’t scroll past what’s airing on television if you want to avoid spoilers.
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore welcomed viewers to Italy while shots aired of the host city. Tessitore, who was joined on commentary by Wade Barrett, said it was the first time in 18 years that WWE ran in Italy. They showed a shot of the crowd and there were many Italian flags.
Backstage shots aired of Jade Cargill, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, Braun Strowman, “The Bloodline” Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga, and CM Punk…
Randy Orton’s entrance theme played and he headed to the ring. The crowd sang along with Orton’s entrance theme. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor introduced Orton. The crowd continued to sing Orton’s theme. Orton held up the mic to speak when he was interrupted by entrance music.
Kevin Owens came out and told Orton that he had something important to tell him and asked him to listen. Owens said he was wrong. Orton said he was wrong for attacking Orton and hitting him with a piledriver. Owens said Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn deserved everything he did to them, but Orton did not.
Owens spoke from ringside while he said Orton took Cody’s side over him and that made him angry and that led him to do something that he regretted. Owens said Orton can relate because he has also spoken about how his anger got the better of him. Owens told Orton he could forgive him for taking Cody’s side if Orton could forgive him.
Owens told Orton he pulled Carmelo Hayes out of the ring last week to protect Orton from himself. Owens said Orton has changed for the better and he shouldn’t be kicking people like he once did. Owens said they need to look forward to WrestleMania and he couldn’t think of a better moment than he and Orton becoming tag team champions.
Orton told Owens to take his halfhearted apology and stick it up his ass. Orton said Owens deserves to be kicked so hard that he gets a pat on the back from Roberto Baggio. Orton said it was “Fight Owens Fight” and now it’s “Bitch Owens Bitch.” Orton said he hears voices and they tell him that whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but not for Owens. Orton said he intends to kick Owens’ head off his shoulders at WrestleMania…
Powell’s POV: I guess we can add Orton vs. Owens to the list of WrestleMania matches. Owens making his best play to let bygones be bygones was comical. I like that Orton never took it seriously like a dopey babyface even if it may have been fun had he strung Owens along for a couple weeks.
Barrett narrated highlights of Drew McIntyre leaving Damian Priest lying on last week’s show…
Damian Priest made his entrance for the opening tag team match heading into the first break… [C] Tessitore hyped the various events that will be held during WrestleMania weekend…
Shinsuke Nakamura and Drew McIntyre made separate entrances while their opponents were in the ring. Damian Priest left the ring to brawl with McIntyre. Jimmy performed a dive over the ropes and then the bell rang to start the match once the wrestlers were inside the ring…
1. Damian Priest and Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura made a blind tag and then pulled Jimmy out of the ring and threw a kick at him heading into a break. [C] Priest went for a clothesline and was hit with a pair of kicks by Nakamura. Priest came right back with a clothesline and covered Nakamura, but McIntyre broke up the pin.
McIntyre ran Priest through the ropes and into the ring post. Jimmy superkicked McIntyre, who went to ringside. Jimmy kicked McIntyre from the apron. Nakamura knocked Jimmy off the apron with a running knee. Priest hit the South of Heaven chokeslam on Nakamura and then pinned him.
Damian Priest and Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura in 7:45.
McIntyre attacked Priest after the match. McIntyre mounted Priest on the mat. McIntyre said he would come for Priest whenever he sees him. Priest reached up and choked McIntyre, who broke free and continued to work Priest over. McIntyre stood up and hit Priest with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre hovered over Priest and told him that whenever he gets up, he’ll put him down…
Powell’s POV: A pretty standard match with a solid post match beatdown to add more heat to the expected Priest vs.McIntyre match at WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman was warming up backstage when U.S. Champion LA Knight approached him and told him that he hopes he smacks Jacob Fatu back to factory setting. Knight said Fatu’s crew works in numbers so he’d be keeping an eye out.
Strowman stopped Knight from leaving and told him that Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis told him that the winner of Strowman vs. Fatu would get a shot at the U.S. Title. Strowman said that winning the title punches his ticket to WrestleMania…
The broadcast team narrated highlights of last week’s brawl between WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair. Split screen shots aired of Stratton and Flair getting mic’d up for an interview… [C]
Tessitore conducted the split screen interview with WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair. Tessitore asked Stratton about showing off a different side last week during the brawl. She started to answer, but Charlotte interrupted and said The Queen goes first.
Flair said Stratton isn’t special for being compared to her because everyone is compared to her. Flair said having blonde hair and being able to do a backflip isn’t enough to warrant the comparison. Stratton said Flair was once her biggest supporter and now she couldn’t even look her in the eye when they were in the ring together.
Flair said she’s the only woman in the locker room who will tell Stratton the truth. Stratton said Flair finds the hottest thing and throws water on it. Flair said Stratton isn’t even the hottest wrestler on Smackdown let alone the entire company. Stratton said she has her entire career to beat Flair’s accolades. Flair said Stratton will be lucky to have a job when she’s Flair’s age. Stratton said the WWE Universe doesn’t bow to Flair, they run on Tiffy Time…
Powell’s POV: Flair walked all over Stratton by cutting her off repeatedly. I don’t know if that was the plan, but it made it feel more realistic than simply having one woman cut a promo while the other sat back and listened. Flair was definitely in big timer mode, which works for the story they are telling.
Jacob Fatu made his entrance without his sidekicks… [C] Tessitore hyped Undertaker’s one-man show for WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas… Braun Strowman made his entrance…
2. Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman for a shot at the U.S. Championship. Strowman performed an early backdrop and then clotheslined Fatu over the top rope. Fatu landed on his feet at ringside. Strwoman went to the floor and tossed Fatu back inside the ring and then followed him and booted his head. The crowd sang a song in Italian.
Strowman sent Fatu to ringside and then played to the receptive crowd. Strowman went to ringside for the Strowman Express spot, but Fatu sidestepped him and shoved him over the broadcast table. Fatu went to the apron and hit Strowman with a clothesline. [C]
Strowman put Fatu down with multiple clotheslines and then clubbed his chest. Fatu went to ringside. Strowman followed and did his Express bit to knock Fatu over the broadcast table. Strowman threw Fatu back inside the ring and followed. Strowman ducked a clothesline and put Fatu down with a spinebuster.
Tama Tonga appeared on the apron. Strowman brought him inside the ring and roughed him up. Solo Sikoa entered the ring and hit Strowman for the DQ finish.
Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu by DQ in 9:15 to earn a shot at the U.S. Championship.
After the match, Fatu didn’t looked pleased with his allies for getting him disqualified. Nevertheless, Fatu joined them in the post match beatdown briefly. Fatu and Solo had words, which let Strowman get a couple of shots in before Fatu put him down again.
LA Knight ran out and fought off Tonga at ringside. Knight was getting the better of Fatu and Sikoa until Tonga hit him from behind. Strowman recovered and joined Knight in clearing the heels from the ring.
[Hour Two] Taylor announced Strowman as the winner by DQ. Knight and Strowman spoke while Tessitore hyped their U.S. Title match for next week…
Powell’s POV: The thrill is gone for Fatu vs. Strowman. Well, at least for this viewer. The Italian crowd loved it, but they’ve been enthusiastic for everything thus far.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were interviewed in a backstage area by Cathy Kelley. Morgan said her match with Jade Cargill is personal because Jade could have cleared her and Rodriguez from suspicion of being her attackers…
Tessitore hyped the Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins segment for later in the show…
Piper Niven made her entrance with Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre… [C]
Backstage, Fatu threw a fit while Tonga stood by and Solo said they were just trying to help. Fatu told Solo he better watch it while he takes care of what’s his…
Italian rapper Anna was shown in the crowd holding a replica title belt… Zelina Vega made her entrance…
3. Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre) vs. Zelina Vega. Tessitore hyped the Winter Olympics taking place in a nearby Italian city in 2026 (I’m already counting down the days to Olympic hockey!). Vega was distracted by Green and Fyre at ringside and then walked toward Niven, who picked her up and slammed her. [C]
Niven pressed Vega over her head, but Vega slid onto Niven’s back and choked her. Niven backed into a corner of the ring to break the hold. Vega hooked Niven into what Barrett labeled a modified octopus hold and then rolled her into a pin for a two count.
Vega hit a knee strike in the corner and then performed a meteora from the middle rope for a two count. Vega went for a 619. Niven got up, but Vega hit her with a satellite DDT for a near fall. Green climbed onto the apron and was punched off by Vega, who also threw a kick at Fyre. Niven hit a running crossbody block and then pinned Vega…
Piper Niven beat Zelina Vega in 12:10.
Powell’s POV: A solid match that went a little longer than necessary, but that’s life on a three-hour show.
Tessitore hyped a recap of the John Cena and Cody Rhodes segment from Raw… [C] The Cena and Rhodes recap aired…
Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens was officially announced for WrestleMania 41…
Jade Cargill was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Jade said that Morgan disrespected her, so she will show her. Jade said once she finishes with Morgan, then her focus will be on Naomi. Tessitore hyped Cargill vs. Morgan for after a break… [C] Entrances for the match took place…
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez made their entrance. A fan art piece of Liv Morgan in Mona Lisa style was shown. Jade Cargill made her entrance…
4. Jade Cargill vs. Liv Morgan (w/Raquel Rodriguez). Jade performed an early fallaway slam and then kipped up. Tessitore said Jade’s last singles match was on August 9. Morgan and Rodriguez tried to leave, but Jade caught up to them and hit Morgan before tossing her back in the ring.
Morgan sidestepped a charging Jade and then went for a high knee, but Jade stuffed it and slammed her to the mat, which led to a two count. Rodriguez climbed onto the apron, distracting Jade long enough for Morgan hit a Backstabber. Morgan tossed Jade to ringside. [C]
Jade hit a couple of corner splashes and then put Morgan down with a spinebuster. Jade looked to the crowd and nodded rather than go for the pin. Jade hoisted up Morgan and hit an F5. Jade kipped up and then covered Morgan for a two count.
Naomi appeared on the apron. Jade went after Naomi, who dropped to the floor. Morgan went for Oblivion, but Jade countered into a backbreaker. Rodriguez distracted the referee while Naomi hit Jade with one of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title belts. Morgan hit Oblivion and scored the pin.
Liv Morgan beat Jade Cargill in 10:10.
After the match, Naomi mounted Jade and threw punches at her. Naomi used her legs to drive Jade’s head on the mat. Naomi followed by knocking Jade off the apron onto the broadcast table. Tessitore said it was reminiscent of when Jade was thrown onto a car by Naomi…
Powell’s POV: Naomi really needed to get some heat back after being roughed up by Jade multiple times.
Cathy Kelley caught up with Drew McIntyre, who said he didn’t start things with Damian Priest but he will end it. McIntyre said he would love someone to explain how he’s wrong. He said people say he cries, but he gives logic without holes in it.
McIntyre wrapped up the promo by saying he’d be in London. McIntyre crossed paths with Seth Rollins, who stared him down and then chuckled before walking past him…
Tessitore hyped new WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits as coming up next… The signs of the night segment took place… [C]
[Hour Three] A sponsored video package recapped The Street Profits beating DIY to win the WWE Tag Team Titles on last week’s Smackdown…
Alicia Taylor introduced new WWE Tag Team Champions “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, who made their entrance to “Bring The Swag” by CFO$. The duo dressed in black and slapped hands on their way to the ring and then played to the fans once they were in the ring. A “you deserve it” chant broke out.
Ford said they were the tag team champions for the first time in four years. Dawkins said it was about damn time. Dawkins said doubt crept in and they were questioning each other. He mentioned the tag team titles. Another “you deserve it” chant broke out.
Dawkins said winning the tag team titles made it all worth it. Ford said they were celebrating, but he wanted to be serious for a moment. He said he learned that he can always count on his brother through all the highs and lows. They had a neat guy handshake and then hugged. Barrett said he and Tessitore need their own handshake. Funny.
“Legado Del Fantasma” Santo Escobar, Angel, and Berto made their entrance. Escobar sang the praises of his tag team and said Los Garza are ready to take the tag team titles from the Profits.
“Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson came out while Barrett reminded viewers that they are the No. 1 contenders. Wilson said Escobar could run his mouth, but they earned the right to call themselves No. 1 contenders. Prince said LDG should step aside.
Escobar said they would not step aside. Escobar said he gave the Profits a chance to apologize and they did not, so things are personal. Escobar yelled at Pretty Deadly to stay out of it.
Ford said “Pretty Hefty” already has their title shot. Ford proposed having a fight with Angel and Berto. The LFD trio put their hands together. The Profits still want the smoke. Pretty Deadly started to back their way toward the stage and then a referee ran past them… [C]
The second vignette for what appears to be Rey Fenix was shown…
5. WWE Tag Team Champions “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins vs. “Los Garza” Angel and Berto (w/Santos Escobar) in a non-title match. The match was joined in progress coming out of the break. Ford was isolated until Dawkins took a hot tag and worked over both opponents.
The referee was caught up with Angelo when Dawkins was running the ropes. Escobar held the top rope down, sending Dawkins to the floor. Berto hit Dawkins with a suicide dive heading into another break. [C]
Los Garza teamed up for the Garza Special on Dawkins, which led to Berto getting a near fall. Dawkins Berto down with a flapjack and made a hot tag. Ford worked over Berto and pumped his arms while the crowd did the same. Ford used a spinebuster to get a two count.
Ford went up top. Angel went to the apron and held his foot. Berto hit Ford and then joined Angel on the ropes. Los Garza went for a double press slam, but Ford landed on his feet and flashed a mean face while Angel and Berto looked on in disbelief.
Ford knocked Angel down and then superplexed Berto and got a two count. Both wrestlers tagged out. Dawkins hit Sky High on Angel and then backdropped a charging Berto to ringside with his cousin. Escobar climbed onto the apron and was punched back to the floor by Dawkins, who then hit a flip dive that overshot the LFD trio. Dawkins rolled Angel back in the ring and then tagged out. Ford hit a frog splash and pinned Angel…
WWE Tag Team Champions “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins defeated “Los Garza” Angel and Berto in 14:30 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: A good tag team match. It’s a shame that Angel and Berto lack credibility with the fans because they are a heck of a team that has simply lost too many matches. It would be nice if they ditched the silly claw mark temporary tattoos and were given enough wins to make them feel like credible contenders, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
A black SUV was shown arriving in the parking lot. Paul Heyman exited the vehicle… An ad for Monday’s Raw in Glasgow focused on John Cena and Cody Rhodes and the narrator listed the 3CT/4ET start time on Netflix… [C]
The video hyping Triple H’s WWE Hall of Fame induction aired…
“Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson were greeted by “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in a stairwell. DIY acted happy for Pretty Deadly getting a title shot. Ciampa said they’ve had their differences in the past and that’s made their relationship stronger.
Gargano said they could help Pretty Deadly win next week, and then Ciampa said they would do it in exchange for being the first in line for a shot at the tag titles. The Pretty Deadly duo declined and made their exit.
“The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin showed up and taunted Gargano and Ciampa about going to the back of the line…
The following matches were advertised for next week’s Smackdown in London: “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins vs. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson for the WWE Tag Team Titles, and LA Knight vs. Braun Strowman for the U.S. Championship…
Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman made their entrance. An “OTC” chant broke out. Reigns had the crowd acknowledge him. He said CM Punk screwed him, so he returned the favor at Madison Square Garden. Reigns said Seth Rollins tried to kill him at the Rumble, but that’s okay because he tried to kill Rollins at MSG.
Reigns said he came a long way so he was going to take his time. He said he would be there for at least 15-20 minutes and called for anyone who wants to confront their Tribal Chief to let him know.
Seth Rollins made his entrance while the fans chanted his song. Once in the ring, Rollins said that he and Reigns can’t coexist at the same time. Rollins said the story between the have a lot of pages written and he thinks it’s about time they add another chapter. Rollins unbuttoned his jacket, but he was interrupted by entrance music.
CM Punk made his entrance while the crowd sang along with his entrance theme. Heyman looked uncomfortable. Punk looked in the ring while singing along with the “only you can set me free” lyrics. Punk entered the ring and sat on a top turnbuckle while saying he didn’t tape his right hand to hold a microphone. Punk said he had some topics before the circus kicks off.
Punk said Reigns and Rollins have never beaten him without help from the other. Punk said it’s every man for himself in the Royal Rumble and his wiseman should have told him. Punk said Reigns would not have made it to the Rumble had it not been for his help at WarGames. Punk recalled Heyman owing him a favor because of WarGames.
Punk said before they get to that favor, he wanted to thank Heyman for serving up his Tribal Chief on a silver platter and said he appreciates it. Reigns turned and looked at Heyman, who tried to talk to him.
Punk hit Reigns from behind. Rollins attacked Punk. Reigns grabbed Rollins and tossed him into a corner of the ring and then threw punches at Punk. Rollins went at Reigns again and then went after Punk. Reigns pulled Rollins into a corner of the ring. Punk reentered the brawl.
A group of referees and security guards entered the ring to pull the wrestlers apart. Punk ended up at ringside and stood on the broadcast table. Punk pointed at Reigns and Rollins and then to the WrestleMania sign. Heyman stood on the floor next to Punk sand said no multiple times.
Punk pulled Reigns to the floor and they fought. Rollins hit a suicide dive onto Reigns, Punk, and the security guards. Rollins went to the apron and pointed at the WrestleMania sign before kicking Punk. Reigns picked up the top piece of the ring steps and struck Punk and then Rollins.
Reigns stood on the ring steps piece and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Nick Aldis directed traffic while the extras tried to keep the three apart to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A simple angle with year another pull apart brawl. Punk and Rollins had a great one on a recent Raw, but the company continues to run the pull apart brawls into the ground. Anyway, they all but made the Triple Threat match official with Punk proposing the match and all three guys pointing at the WrestleMania sign at different times. I’d rather see all three of these guys involved in singles matches on the biggest show of the year, but I’d be shocked if their Triple Threat doesn’t deliver in a big way.
Overall, thank you to modern technology for giving me a rare Friday night off! Oh, I suppose you want thoughts on the show. It was a pretty good episode with some WrestleMania developments and another great live crowd. I will have more to say in my same day/night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below. Have a great weekend.
Is the show live on USA????!!!
LOL
Modern day technology is a wonderful thing that is giving me a rare Friday night off. If I had my way, WWE would never hold another television event in North America! I’d settle for Raw being held in Europe every Monday during the football season. Just let me dream.