By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,341)
May 2, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa at Wells Fargo Arena
Simulcast live on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary and narrated arrival shots of Randy Orton, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Carmelo Hayes and The Miz, and Damian Priest.
In the backstage area, Priest shook hands with Shane Helms, but then saw The Bloodline duo of Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. Priest shoved Fatu. Solo shoved Priest. Referees and producers quickly intervened. LA Knight walked past the commotion and headed to the ring while being introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash. Wade Barrett joined Tessitore on commentary.
Knight spoke about Priest costing him a No. 1 contender’s match for the U.S. Championship with Drew McIntyre on last week’s show. Knight said he understood what Priest was doing, and he doesn’t have a problem with him. Knight started to say that Priest needs to pick his spots, but he was interrupted.
Damian Priest made his entrance and joined Knight inside the ring. Priest said that he and Knight don’t have a problem, and what happened last week was all about Drew McIntyre. Knight said he understood, but he picked the wrong time because it cost Knight his match.
Priest disagreed, saying that Solo Sikoa had hit Knight with a Samoan Spike, so he felt he saved Knight from taking a Claymore Kick and being pinned. Knight told Priest not to let his WrestleMania failures be his. Priest said the whole situation is actually because Knight lost his title at WrestleMania.
Priest said that if Knight’s head hadn’t been up his ass, he might still be champion. Knight said the whole idea was supposed to be that they don’t have a problem, but if Priest kept talking like he was he would end up with his foot in his ass. Priest said they have a match scheduled for later in the night. He asked why they should wait. Knight agreed, and then a referee ran to the ring heading into a commercial break. [C]
Powell’s POV: An effective segment that created tension between two characters in a believable manner, even though both men started off by saying they didn’t have any issues with one another.
1. Damian Priest vs. LA Knight. The match was joined in progress coming out of the commercial break. Knight slipped out of a Razor’s Edge and dropped Priest with a DDT. Priest followed up with a jump-up elbow drop from the top rope for a two count before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
A “this is awesome” chant broke out while both men were down. Knight clotheslined Priest over the top rope. Knight went for a kick through the ropes that Priest avoided. Priest performed a Flatliner on the apron. Priest rolled Knight back inside the ring. Solo Sikoa attacked Priest to end the match.
Damian Priest beat LA Knight by DQ.
Solo ran Priest into the ringside barricade. Solo entered the ring and worked over Knight with punches. Solo signaled for the Samoan Spike, but Priest climbed on the apron and grabbed Solo’s arm and then punched him. Knight kicked Solo and dropped him with his BFT finisher.
Priest and Knight stood face-to-face and then looked down at Solo. Priest went to ringside and cleared the broadcast table, and then motioned to Knight, who kicked Solo to ringside. Priest set up for a chokeslam, but Jacob Fatu hit the ring and attacked Knight and Priest. Fatu hit a hip attack on Priest against the barricade…
Powell’s POV: Let me guess, we have a tag team main event? I was actually more into the fresh rivalry between Priest and Knight, but this was a logical approach if Priest and Knight are going to continue to be babyfaces.
The broadcast team narrated highlights of “Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom beating “Los Garza” Angel and Berto on last week’s Smackdown…
Backstage, Byron Saxton interviewed Frazer and Axiom about their upcoming match against “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. The duo spoke briefly before Prince and Wilson showed up and told Saxton to leave. Wilson said he and Prince know how good the Fraxiom team is, but he and Prince also know how good they are. Prince spoke about finding out how good Fraxiom really are. Axiom said they looked forward to it. Frazer told them to be careful what they wish for. The Pretty Deadly duo made their entrance… [C]
UFC legend Michael Bisping was shown in the crowd… Fraxiom made their entrance…
2. “Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom vs. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. Barrett said a lot of people were calling Fraxiom the best team on the planet based on what they did in NXT, but he’s not ready to call them that after the performance of the three teams that worked the TLC match. Prince caught Axiom going for a crossbody block and then dropped him onto the feet of Wilson. Prince turned Axiom inside out with a clothesline. [C]
Frazer performed a standing shooting star press on Prince, who came up bleeding from the chin. Frazer had Prince pinned and he didn’t kick out, but the referee stopped her count at two. Barrett said Frazer’s elbow hit Prince. Frazer set up Prince for a move in the corner, but Wilson slipped under Frazer and powerbombed him. Prince went to ringside. Barrett assumed that he was finished for the night. Axiom hit a top rope Spanish Fly on Wilson, and then Axiom hit him with a Phoenix Splash before pinning him…
“Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom beat “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson in 10:15.
Powell’s POV: Barrett called it right. Frazer’s elbow struck Prince’s chin while he was performing the standing shooting star press. The referee could have finished her count to end the match, and it would have been fine, but Prince was covering his face, and I don’t think she knew he was bleeding until after she stopped her count. The live crowd groaned about the referee not finishing her count in the moment, but they got quiet once they saw Prince bleeding. I think this is an example that modern fans will understand when matches are altered or even stopped due to injury. I assume Prince will need stitches, but here’s hoping it’s not more serious than that.
Backstage, Michin and B-Fab spoke with Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis. B-Fab said they were inspired by last week’s TLC match. Michin said he knows that Aldis gave Liv Morgan time off. She was about to ask about challenging the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, but she was interrupted.
Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre entered the room dressed in black while mourning Green losing the Women’s U.S. Championship. Michin and B-Fab made their exit. Green cried foul about Zelina Vega beating her for the title. Aldis said she lost by a three count. Green spoke about taking her protest to the Supreme Court.
Green said she could skip that if she was given a “recount.” Aldis said he thought she meant rematch, then informed her that Piper Niven would be facing Vega in a non-title match later in the show. Aldis said that Niven could earn a title shot with a win, and added that Green could be Niven’s Secret Hervice if she won the title. Green acted like she might faint…
Nia Jax was shown walking backstage… [C] A John Cena and Randy Orton video package aired…
Nia Jax made her entrance and was booed loudly. “Thanks, guys, it sounds like you all missed me,” Jax said. Jax added that while she was away and Tiffany Stratton was running around like a Barbie doll with her head cut off, she was at home getting refocussed so she could come back and take back the WWE Women’s Championship.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance and spoke as she walked to the ring. Stratton said she’s not the same person that Jax used to push around. She mentioned beating Charlotte Flair, and the fans booed the mention of Flair. Stratton entered the ring and spoke about she wasn’t shying away from a fight and would defend her title anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
Naomi walked onto the stage and recalled Stratton helping Jax whenever she faced Jax for the championship. Naomi recalled Stratton talking about how she changed.
[Hour Two] Naomi said she is a new woman now. She said she’s going after the gold. She said not only would she push Stratton onto a car, she’d push her under one.
Jade Cargill made her entrance and quickly cleared Naomi from the ring with a clothesline. Stratton kicked Jax out of the ring. Stratton and Jax circled the ring while looking at one another. Nick Aldis came out and called for “a tag team match, playa.” Barrett said this match might replace the main event they lost earlier…
Powell’s POV: I was going to make a Teddy Long joke, but Aldis beat me to it.
Footage aired of Aleister Black beating The Miz last week…
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes spoke about how they would all show the world. Miz wondered who else he was referring to. Hayes pointed to “Dre”, which is his name for the horrific Andre the Giant head he now wears on a chain. Miz said that Aleister Black wants to make a statement, but he’ll be a part of Miz’s statement. Miz and Hayes made their entrance… [C]
Tessitore hyped “WWE Takeover Perth” with Smackdown, Crown Jewel: Perth, and Raw in Perth, Australia…
Aleister Black made his entrance…
3. Aleister Black vs. The Miz (w/Carmelo Hayes). Miz charged Black, who teased a Black Mass kick that stopped Miz in his tracks. Black caught Miz’s leg when he tried to throw a kick. It looked like Black was going to let Miz’s leg go, but Miz hit him with a cheap shot. Black cleared Miz from the ring and then sat down in the ring.
Miz returned to the ring and threw a kick that Black avoided by lying back. Black sent Miz to ringside with a kick. Black grabbed Miz and was then distracted by Hayes. Miz took advantage of the distraction by clotheslining Black over the LED board on the ring apron before a PIP break. [C]
Black eventually dropped a charging Miz with a spin kick. Black used his foot to raise the head of Miz, but Hayes climbed on the apron. Black approached Hayes, who dropped back to the floor. Miz rolled up Black for a two count. When the wrestlers stood up, Black dropped Miz with a Black Mass kick and scored the pin…
Aleister Black defeated The Miz in 9:25.
After the match, Hayes was climbing in the ring when Black sat down and stared at him. Both men got to their feet and stared at one another until Hayes left the ring…
Powell’s POV: A longer match than I anticipated. Black was dominant, aside from times when Hayes caused a distraction. I get a kick out of the Andre head being named Dre. But whatever cool factor Hayes kept despite teaming with Miz is wiped away by wearing that hideous gold head around his neck. If he’s a comedy heel, so be it, but I would hope that the company sees him as more than that.
Backstage, Santos Escobar told Rey Fenix that he was disappointed by his WrestleMania loss to El Grande Americano. Escobar said Rey Mysterio picked Fenix to take his place at WrestleMania, and Fenix blew it. Escobar hoped that Mysterio would be out of the picture forever. Escobar spoke of replacing Mysterio as the greatest luchador. Fenix stood up to Escobar and said he would see him in the ring later in the show…
New Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega made her entrance for her non-title match against Piper Niven… [C] A preview of Pat McAfee being interviewed on “Stephanie’s Places” was shown. The footage included McAfee in the crowd at WWE events when he played for the Indianapolis Colts… Dion Dawkins of the Buffalo Bills was shown in the crowd…
Barrett said Rey Fenix vs. Santos Escobar was official for later in the show… Piper Niven made her entrance with her crew…
4. Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega vs. Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre) in a non-title match. Vega avoided a seated senton splash and then threw kicks at Niven. A short time later, Niven caught Vega in the corner and dropped her face-first. Niven remained in offensive control. [C]
Niven executed a uranage slam and followed up with a senton splash for a near fall. Vega came back by hitting a meteora from the middle rope, which led to a two count. Niven avoided the Code Red and then hit a Boss Man Slam for a near fall. Vega avoided a cannonball in the corner and then hit Niven with double knees.
Vega put Niven down with a DDT and followed up with a top rope moonsault for a near fall. Niven stuffed a Code Red attempt. Niven headbutted Vega and then powered her up in powerbomb position. Vega countered with a huracanrana. Vega was going to run the ropes for a 619, but she stopped because Green was on the apron. Vega avoided a charging Niven, who accidentally struck Green. Vega rolled up Niven and got the three count.
Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega defeated Piper Niven in 11:10 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: A nice match with Vega going over. The more compelling outcome would have been Vega losing to Green in a non-title match to establish Vega as even more of an underdog, and to create some friction between Niven and Green. That said, it’s no surprise that Vega went over clean. I love Chelsea Green’s act, and I get a kick out of the Secret Hervice, but it’s a shame that Niven has yet to have a run as a monster heel.
Nick Aldis scolded Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu for Solo’s recent interference. Solo blamed Damian Priest for last week’s disqualification. Aldis booked Fatu vs. Priest vs. LA Knight in a Triple Threat for the U.S. Championship at Backlash. Solo pointed out that McIntyre is the number one contender, and it should be a singles match.
Aldis said forget the Triple Threat, then made it Fatu vs. Priest vs. Knight vs. McIntyre in a four-way. Fatu said he would dog-walk anyone that is put in front of him. After Fatu left, Solo accused Aldis of trying to screw over Fatu. “No, Solo, you are,” Aldis said before walking away…
Powell’s POV: Well, I guess McIntyre has something else to bitch about since he earned No. 1 contendership, yet now has to share his title shot with the man he beat to earn the title shot, and the man he pinned at WrestleMania 41.
Barrett announced Stratton and Jade vs. Jax and Naomi as the new main event… Tessitore hyped Randy Orton’s appearance for after the break… [C]
The broadcast team hyped that WWE Backlash was only eight days away. They ran through the lineup and hyped Fatu vs. Priest vs. Knight vs. McIntyre in a four-way for the U.S. Championship…
Randy Orton made his entrance. Orton slapped some hands and hugged a young fan while on his way to the ring. Orton said that while the world couldn’t see John Cena, he could. Orton said it took the fans about twenty years to figure out what kind of man Cena is, but he saw it from day one.
Orton said Cena is arrogant and selfish. He said Cena is an entitled brat who gets whatever he wants. Orton said Cena “is the shiny new toy to be played with by the ultimate puppet master.” Orton said Cena took advantage of the PG era because he was willing to be a walking, talking cartoon character, whereas Orton stayed true to who he is.
[Hour Three] Orton said Cena doesn’t care about the boys in the back, he cares about his bottom line. He said it brought Cena fame and fortune. He spoke about all of the new merchandise that Cena puts out every month. He said he put his name on anything he could so the kids would gobble it up.
Orton recalled Cena saying that he didn’t have a family because he was busy raising everyone else’s kids. Orton said the only thing Cena has raised is the price of his merchandise, which the parents have to work a double to afford. Orton said selling his soul is nothing new to Cena, because Cena has been doing that for twenty years.
Orton brought up the hustle, loyalty, and respect slogan. Orton said he’d give Cena the hustle all day, but he questioned what happened to loyalty and respect. Orton recalled Cena claiming that he would erase everything the Orton family did in the industry. Orton said that would happen over his dead body.
Orton said Cena is the last legend that he has to put down. Orton said he would do it in his hometown of St. Louis in front of family and friends, and a future generation of Ortons. He said he would punt Cena’s head through the Gateway Arch, but not before he drops his ass with the RKO.
Powell’s POV: A hard-hitting promo. I love that the gloves off for promos on Cena, but I’m curious to see if some of these comments will make it tough for some fans to fully embrace Cena again if he turns babyface before he retires. Either way, I am looking forward to Cena vs. Orton at Backlash. There was a time when I didn’t think it would be possible for me to get excited about that overexposed matchup, but here we are.
Backstage, Nia Jax told Naomi that they would be good if Naomi stayed out of her way. Naomi shrugged her shoulders and said “sure” before walking away, leaving Jax shaking her head..
Rey Fenix made his entrance to a flat reaction for his match against Santos Escobar… [C]
Backstage, R-Truth approached Randy Orton and told him that he has no chance at Backlash, because his childhood hero will beat him. Orton asked why he would say that. Truth said because it’s true. Jimmy Uso showed up and shook hands with Orton and told him that he knows how Truth gets. Orton made his exit. Truth told Jimmy that Cena also told him that he’s the last real world champion…
Powell’s POV: I love that Truth is a loyal Cena stan who is repeating Cena’s heel talking points. I thought Cena’s heel turn would cause Truth’s character to be mopey and make him a target for a Cena beatdown, but this is a lot more fun.
Santos Escobar made his entrance…
5. Rey Fenix vs. Santos Escobar. The crowd was quiet. Escobar hit a suicide dive a few minutes into the match. [C] Fenix caught Escobar with a kick and covered him for a near fall. Fenix acted woozy while playing to the quiet crowd and got a better reaction.
Escobar caught Fenix with a knee strike. Fenix popped up and dropped him with a kick, and then they both stayed down for a moment. Fenix jumped from the top rope moments later into another knee strike. Escobar hit double knees in the corner and got a near fall.
Fenix came back with a dropkick to the back of Escobar’s head. Fenix ran across the ropes and threw a kick that missed. Fenix followed up with a top rope meteora and scored the pin…
Rey Fenix beat Santos Escobar in 12:25.
Powell’s POV: There was a decent pop for the finish, but the crowd was flat for this match compared to the rest of the show. Do you think the average WWE fan could list the differences between the Fenix and Dragon Lee characters?
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill were speaking when Byron Saxton interrupted and asked how they would fare in the tag team match given their history. Stratton said they wouldn’t have a problem if Jade stayed out of her way. Jade said she would focus on Naomi, but she spoke to Nick Aldis, and she will face Jax for a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship on next week’s Smackdown.
The broadcast team hyped the main event and said they would look back at last week’s TLC match after a break… [C] A video package recapped The Street Profits beating DIY and The Motor City Machine Guns in a TLC match to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles…
Backstage, Santos Escobar complained to Angel and Berto that they weren’t there when he needed them most. Andrade showed up and said Escobar doesn’t have respect or honor. Escobar stormed off and wanted Angel and Berto to follow. Berto stuck around and listened to Andrade until Escobar returned and demanded that he follow…
The following matches and segments were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Dayton, Ohio: WWE Champion John Cena appears, Damian Priest and LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax for a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship…
Jade Cargill made her entrance for the main event… [C] The signs of the night segment took place… Tiffany Stratton made her entrance and was back to being announced as being from Prior Lake, Minnesota, after they listed her as being from Minneapolis at WrestleMania 41. Nia Jax’s entrance followed, and then Naomi capped off the entrances. Barrett praised her entrance and attire…
6. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax and Naomi. The wrestlers brawled and the referee called for the opening bell. Naomi slapped Jade and then ran the ropes. Jax tagged herself in before Naomi ran into a big boot from Jade. Jax knocked Jade down and then stood tall heading into the final break. [C]
Jax went for a Samoan Drop on Stratton, who countered into a crucifix pin for a near fall. Jax cut off Stratton on the ropes and then hit a Samoan Drop. Jax ran the ropes for a leg drop, but Naomi tagged herself in. Jax was upset. Naomi went for a split-legged moonsault, but Stratton put her knees up.
Moments later, Jade took a hot tag and had Naomi down for a pin that Jax broke up. Jax dragged Naomi to her corner and then tagged herself in. Jax hit a senton and had the pin, but Stratton broke it up with a Swanton. Stratton and Naomi fought until Jax hit them both with a corner splash. Jax ran across the ring and corner-splashed Jade. Jax went to the middle rope for her finisher and played to the crowd. Jade shot up and powerbombed Jax and then covered her for the win.
Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill defeated Nia Jax and Naomi in 11:05.
After the match, Jade put the WWE Women’s Championship over her shoulder. Stratton tried to take the belt back, but Jade held onto one end of it. Naomi hit Jade from behind and knocked her into Stratton, which sent Stratton to ringside. Naomi picked up the title belt and raised it above her head while standing over Jade. The executive producer credits were shown while Tessitore closed the show by reminding viewers that John Cena would appear on the next Smackdown…
Powell’s POV: It was good to see the women headline the show. Jade pinning Jax was a bit of a surprise since they will be meeting in the No. 1 contenders match on next week’s show. Naomi holding up the title belt left me wondering whether she will be added to the match.
The show dragged in the third hour, but it was a a solid episode overall. I will share my thoughts on the WWE talent cuts at the start of my Smackdown audio review, which will be available exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below. Stop back for my live review of AEW Collision on Saturday night.
I will be astonished if Elton Prince doesn’t have a broken jaw. Truly unfortunate for Pretty Deadly and a pure accident.
It seems like they could do more with Escobar. I never see him win. Not saying he should have won tonight, but I feel like he is being wasted. But maybe I’m wrong. Who knows?
He’s a great promo, a damn good in-ring guy and a handsome son of a bitch to boot. I don’t know what the problem is, honestly
He might be in the wrong company actually.He could shine in TNA or maybe even AEW if Tony lets him that is.
Even on Cena’s retirement tour, Cena vs Orton does nothing for me. I think Botchamania did a sequence of their matches to the tune of “The Song That Doesn’t End,” and nothing was more apt. Cena’s not going to drop the belt, so I was hoping for fresh match ups, such as Drew or Gunther or Balor.
I remember Jim Ross used to say on his podcast that fans like new stuff. I’m not a fan of Black or Rusev. And definitely not a fan of Cena/Orton again. Give us new stuff. Smackdown has felt stale to me ever since the Bloodline ended.
As far as the Cena V Orton stuff goes, the WWE argument will be that it is new and fresh because the heel/babyface dynamic is swapped. Not saying I agree, just that is how they will see it.