By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,343)
May 16, 2025, in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum
Simulcast live on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary while a backstage shot aired of Tiffany Stratton, followed by Nia Jax walking past a WWE truck that had Stratton’s image on it… A video package recapped WWE Backlash… Wade Barrett joined Tessitore on commentary, and Mark Nash was the ring announcer…
U.S. Champion Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Jeff Cobb made their entrance. Sikoa introduced “JC” as the man who helped keep the U.S. Championship in the family, which drew a side-eye look from Fatu. Solo spoke about winning the Money in the Bank ladder match and bringing the WWE Championship back to the family.
Fatu was cheered by the fans as he recalled saying that he would bring the U.S. Title to the family and would do it with or without Solo. Fatu said he’s all gas, no brakes, which a lot of fans said along with him. Solo cut off Fatu and told him that he and JC know what he means.
Solo said he’s doing everything to help Fatu because he loves him. Solo said the U.S. Title being over Fatu’s shoulder is proof of that. Solo said there was something he needed to hear from Fatu. Solo asked what Fatu used to say loud and proud. “I love you, Solo,” Fatu said. Solo said that wasn’t it. Solo said Fatu said it loud and proud. Solo spun Fatu so that they were face-to-face. Fatu removed his shades.
LA Knight’s entrance theme played. Knight appeared in front of the broadcast table when the heels were looking at the entrance stage. Knight pulled JC from the ring and slammed his head on the broadcast table. Knight threw a few punches and then hopped the barricade and made his exit…
Powell’s POV: What Would Jeff Cobb Do? Anyway, Knight is the latest in a long line of moronic pro wrestling characters that decided to make his entrance right when two of his adversaries were about to have a meltdown.
B-Fab gave Michin a pep talk about the Money in the Bank ladder match. Chelsea Green showed up, and Piper Niven and Alba Fyre, and said she would win the title. She said he would use social-economic policy with trickle-down effects that would lower interest rates for her Secret Hervice. Alexa Bliss popped up. “See you out there,” Bliss told Green. B-Fab informed Niven and Fyre that no one would be allowed at ringside…
Alexa Bliss made her entrance heading into the first break… [C] Michin and Chelsea Green made their entrances…
1. Chelsea Green vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Michin in a qualifier for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The MITB briefcases were hanging above the ring. Bliss and Michin dropkicked Green through the ropes (well, one of them did, even though they both tried). They bumped fists, but then stopped one another from returning to the ring. Green hit her feet on the ropes while going for a suicide dive, but she still made contact with both opponents. [C]
Michin did her ass dance before hitting a cannonball in the corner on both opponents. A short time later, Michin hit Eat Defeat on Green and had her pinned until Bliss broke it up. Bliss put Michin down with a DDT and then went up top and hit Twisted Bliss. Green broke up the pin and then hit Michin with an Unprettier. Bliss pulled Michin out of the ring. Bliss returned to the ring and hit Green with Sister Abigail for the win…
Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green and Michin in a Triple Threat in 9:05 to qualify for the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
Powell’s POV: There were some clunky moments before the commercial break, but the closing minutes were really well done with some believable near falls. It’s worth noting that WWE likes doing last chance qualifiers, so it’s still possible that Green or Michin will qualify for the match.
A video package recapped Axiom and Nathan Frazer beating The Street Profits in a non-title match, followed by DIY attacking Fraxiom and the Motor City Machine Guns in the backstage area… Fraxiom made their entrance for a match against DIY… [C] DIY made their entrance…
2. “Fraxiom” Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Axiom went for a springboard move, but he slipped when Gargano touched the middle rope. Ciampa drilled Axiom with a knee strike to clear him from the ring. Gargano clotheslined Axiom at ringside and then ran him into the barricade. Back in the ring, Gargano slammed Axiom so that his feet hit the ropes before he landed. [C]
Frazer hit a standing shooting star press on Gargano for a near fall. Frazer went up top and rolled through a Phoenix Splash attempt when Gargano rolled out of the way. Gargano caught Frazer with a kick when he was going for a springboard move. Ciampa tagged in and held up Frazer while Gargano kicked him before hitting the Fairytale Ending. Ciampa had Frazer pinned, but Axiom broke it up.
Ciampa hit Project Ciampa on Frazer for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Ciampa went for a running knee strike that Frazer avoided. Gargano tagged in. Frazer took out Ciampa with a kick. Frazer superplexed Gargano. Frazer held up Gargano, and then Axiom kicked him before Frazer followed through with a brainbuster. Axiom covered Gargano, but Ciampa broke it up.
A short time later, Axiom caught Gargano in a submission hold. Ciampa ran in and made a play for Axiom’s mask, but Frazer superkicked him. Gargano superkicked Frazer and then tried to roll up Axiom, who sat down on him and hooked his legs while getting the three count.
“Fraxiom” Axiom and Nathan Frazer defeated “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa in 11:15.
Ciampa and Gargano attacked Axiom and Frazer after the match. “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin ran out and fought off DIY to save the Fraxiom duo. Tessitore noted that Fraxiom won four straight matches on Smackdown…
Powell’s POV: A hot tag team match with some great near falls. The Smackdown tag team division is loaded.
Rey Fenix and Andrade spoke in the backstage area. Fenix said he’s ready for the next level of Money in the Bank. Solo Sikoa showed up with his crew and asked where LA Knight was, but Fenix and Andrade didn’t give them an answer…
Nia Jax was shown warming up in a backstage area. Naomi was standing behind Jax in the distance… [C]
WWE Tag Team Champions “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins applauded Axiom and Nathan Frazer for their win. Ford said Nick Aldis granted the Fraxiom duo a tag team title match for next week’s show. The teams shook hands. Dawkins got serious and said that he and Ford would be 100 percent healthy. After the Profits left, Frazer was giddy, and Axiom tried to keep him in check…
[Hour Two] Barrett’s sit-down interview with R-Truth aired. Barrett recalled John Cena putting Truth through a table at the Backlash press conference. Truth said life is tough, but regardless of what’s happening in your world. You can always count on John Cena.
Truth said “hustle, loyalty, and respect” are not just words, they are a beacon of light. Barrett said Truth sounds crazy. He said Truth saved Cena at Backlash and then he repaid him by putting him through a table. Truth said Cena won the match on his own. Truth said the man at the press conference was not Cena. Truth said the Cena he knows wouldn’t turn his back on the people who support and love him.
Truth said he doesn’t want to fight Cena, but he’d do it if he has to beat him back to his senses. Truth said he spoke with Nick Aldis, who gave him a match against Cena on next weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event…
Tessitore hyped Cena vs. Truth for SNME… Aleister Black made his entrance… [C]
A Damian Priest promo video aired. Priest said a simple match won’t do it, he wants Drew McIntyre to feel real pain. Priest called for a steel cage match on Saturday Night’s Main Event, and then said the cycle ends here…
Carmelo Hayes and The Miz delivered a backstage promo. Hayes wore the gold chain with the Bookman from Good Times pendant on it (what do you mean that’s supposed to be Andre the Giant?). The duo made their entrance while Tessitore spoke about Miz being named the host of the American Gladiators reboot…
3. Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes (w/The Miz). Black went for his Black Mass kick early, but Hayes sat down to avoid it. Black sat down and crossed his legs. Hayes shot up and tried to kick Black, who stuffed it. Hayes went for a springboard move and was caught by a Black kick.
Black went for a moonsault on Hayes at ringside, but Miz had tossed Hayes back inside the ring. Black landed on his feet and then awkwardly looked around until Hayes hit him with a flip dive. Hayes got Black in the ring and covered him for a two count. [C]
Black hit a moonsault onto a standing Hayes on the floor. Back inside the ring, Black caught Hayes with a kick and then hit a German suplex before bridging into a pin for a near fall. Black set up for his finisher, but Miz grabbed his legs. Black knocked Miz off the apron a short time later. Black set up to use his foot to lift Hayes’s head off the apron, but Miz ran in and attacked Black from behind for the apparent DQ finish.
Aleister Black fought Carmelo Hayes to a no-contest in 10:25.
After the match, Black dropped Miz with a Black Mass kick. Hayes hit Black with Nothing But Net…
Powell’s POV: I’ve been a Miz apologist over the years, but the alliance is doing more harm than good for Hayes.
Backstage, Byron Saxton spoke with Alexa Bliss, who said it felt amazing to qualify for the MITB match. She said her goal is to become the first woman to win MITB twice. Bliss was distracted by something off-camera, and then she wrapped up the interview.
The camera followed Bliss as she found Charlotte Flair standing outside Nick Aldis’s office. Bliss asked Flair if she had any thoughts about what they had spoken about. Flair said they weren’t even close. Bliss said Flair took her under her wing in NXT at a time when no one else would talk to her. Flair said she didn’t remember that.
Giulia exited Aldis’s office. Aldis came out and introduced Giulia to Flair and Bliss as the newest member of the Smackdown roster. Giulia smiled and walked away. Aldis told Flair they could talk about MITB. Flair told Bliss to stay out of the way if she wanted to help, because she doesn’t need her. After Flair entered Aldis’s office, Bliss said, “Keep telling yourself that”…
Drew McIntyre was shown flashing a mean face while walking through the backstage area… [C]
A video package recapped some of the history between Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance. Tessitore listed the attendance as over 12,000. He also pointed out that McIntyre gingerly climbed to the middle rope during his entrance routine. McIntyre said Damian Priest is obsessed with him to the point that he worries he wants to wear his skin to his birthday party.
McIntyre said Priest is jealous because he knows that McIntyre is better than him in every way. McIntyre said Priest tried to take out the competition at Backlash, and believes he’s willing to kill him to do it because he chokeslammed him off a platform and slammed his head onto the concrete.
McIntyre said it has to end. He said he would see Priest inside the cage on Saturday Night’s Main Event. McIntyre guaranteed that one man would walk out of the cage, while the other man would leave on a stretcher.
The broadcast team said the Priest vs. McIntyre cage match, and Cena vs. R-Truth matches were official for Saturday Night’s Main Event. They ran through the previously advertised matches.
McIntyre was making his way toward the stage when Solo Sikoa made his entrance with Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb). McIntyre and Fatu exchanged looks, and then Solo and his crew headed to the ring… [C]
Powell’s POV: Nash introduced Jeff Cobb as JC Mateo, so that name is official. Yes, it will take some time to get used to and some people will bitch, but I never thought Jeff Cobb was the most dynamic name for a pro wrestler.
Jimmy Uso delivered a promo about MITB as he walked backstage before making his entrance. Rey Fenix made his entrance…
4. Jimmy Uso (w/Jacob Fatu, JC Mateo) vs. Rey Fenix vs. Solo Sikoa in a qualifier for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Jimmy and Fenix worked together to clear Solo from the ring. Fenix rolled up Jimmy for a two count. Jimmy stood up and dropped Fenix with a chop. Fenix rolled through the ropes into a huracanrana, and hooked Jimmy into a pin for a two count.
Fenix hit a springboard dropkick a short time later for another two count. Jimmy fired back with a punch and a chop. Solo pulled Jimmy to the floor and slammed his head on the broadcast table twice. Fenix dove off the top rope onto both opponents.
Back in the ring, Fenix went for a top rope move, but Solo caught him and put him down with a uranage slam. Solo knocked Jimmy off the apron, and Jimmy’s head slammed off the broadcast table again. Solo slammed Jimmy on top of the broadcast table and then stood on the apron and drew heat. [C]
Fenix rolled Solo into a pin while Jimmy Uso dove from the top rope over both men. Referee Charles Robinson was looking at Jimmy and didn’t make the count while Fenix had Solo pinned. Barrett said they were in Robinson’s hometown, and maybe he was looking into the crowd at family.
[Hour Three] Solo went for a Samoan Spike, but Fenix hooked him in a crucifix. Jimmy superkicked Solo, causing him to fall over in the crucifix pin. Jimmy had to break up the pin. Fenix did his Adios Amigos rope run kick on Jimmy. Fenix charged Jimmy, who speared him and covered him for a two count.
Jimmy went to the apron and had to superkick Fatu. Solo hit Jimmy with a Samoan Spike. Fenix hit Adios Amigos on Solo. Fenix knocked Mateo off the apron. Solo took advantage of the distraction by hitting Fenix with a Samoan Spike before pinning him.
Solo Sikoa defeated Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso in a Triple Threat in 13:05 to qualify for the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
After the match, LA Knight ran out and ran Fatu into the ring post. Knight grabbed a chair and climbed on top of the broadcast table. Nick Aldis came out and called for everyone to stand down. Aldis booked Knight vs. Mateo and then called for a referee… [C]
Powell’s POV: Solo struck me as the least likely to qualify for MITB. I thought they would go with Fenix because his daredevil style would play well in the MITB match. Again, though, there could be a last chance qualifier, so it’s possible that he or Jimmy could still qualify for the match.
5. JC Mateo (w/Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa) vs. LA Knight. Mateo worked the match in black jeans and a black t-shirt. Barrett acknowledged Mateo’s Olympic background, and Tessitore listed some of the titles that Mateo held in NJPW while also mentioning that he was in Lucha Underground. Knight was in offensive control when Solo caused a distraction. Mateo suplexed Knight over the top rope to the floor. [C]
Mateo tossed Knight to ringside and then followed him. Mateo ran Knight’s head into the ring post casing. Mateo went for a splash, but Knight moved, causing Mateo to crash into the casing. Both men rolled back inside the ring.
Knight hit a jumping neckbreaker, and followed up with a side Russian Leg Sweep and an inverted DDT. Knight looked to the crowd and then dropped an elbow on Mateo before getting a two count. Knight waited for Mateo to stand up and then went for the BFT, but Mateo stuffed it and then hit a twisting suplex for a two count. Mateo followed up standing moonsault for a near fall.
Knight kicked Cobb’s legs and then hit him from the apron with a knee strike. Knight had to fight off Solo, and then hit Fatu and Solo with a springboard dive. Knight returned to the apron and went for a slingshot move, but Mateo caught him and hit the Tour of the Islands for the win.
JC Mateo defeated LA Knight in 15:10.
After the match, Solo raised Mateo’s arm and looked at Fatu, who held up his U.S. Title belt while glaring at Solo and Mateo…
Powell’s POV: Beating LA Knight was a nice debut for Mateo. I was surprised they started with that matchup as opposed to having Mateo squash a local or an undercard wrestler.
The broadcast team recapped highlights of the issues between Berto and Santos Escobar on last week’s show…
Backstage, Angel told Escobar that he couldn’t make contact with Berto. Escobar said he fears that Berto is listening to the wrong people, who don’t understand loyalty and the big picture. Escobar said he’s willing to forget what happened last week because there’s something bigger on the horizon. Escobar said he needed Angel to find Berto and bring him home. Escobar said Angel has been loyal since day one, and it would be a shame if they lost that loyalty due to the actions of one selfish person…
Tessitore hyped the WWE Women’s Championship match…
An ad for Monday’s Raw hyped World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker in a non-title match, and additional MITB qualifiers… [C]
A Shinsuke Nakamura video promo aired. Nakamura spoke in Japanese while subtitles were shown. Nakamura spoke about LA Knight to start, and then said he doesn’t fear Aleister Black. Nakamura spoke of beating both men next week to qualify for MITB…
The following matches were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Savannah, Georgia: Aleister Black vs. LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a MITB qualifier, Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia in a MITB qualifier, and “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins vs. “Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom for the WWE Tag Team Titles…
Tiffany Stratton was shown walking backstage when Jade Cargill approached her. Jade said she was up next, regardless of whether Stratton or Nia Jax won the main event. Naomi was watching the conversation in the background. Stratton said Jade might have to win the briefcase, but she’ll never be good enough to cash in on her…
Tessitore said the main event was up next… [C] Tessitore recapped the previous match results while graphics listed them on the side of the screen…
Powell’s POV: The Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes was listed as a no-contest, which is bizarre considering that Miz interfered. I corrected the match result above.
Nia Jax made her entrance for the main event, and then Tiffany Stratton’s entrance followed…
6. Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship. Mark Nash delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Jax had Stratton draped over the middle rope. Jax hit a hip attack from the apron that drove Stratton’s head into the ring post casing. [C]
Stratton hit a spinebuster for a near fall. A “Let’s go, Tiffy” chant broke out. Jax hit a sit-out powerbomb and then followed up with a leg drop for near fall. Jax set up for a move from the ropes, but Stratton countered it and got a two count.
Naomi made her entrance with a chair in hand while Stratton and Jax were down. Naomi climbed on the apron. Jade Cargill’s entrance music hit. Jade came out and tossed Naomi over the barricade. Jade followed and fought with Nami in the crowd.
In the ring, Stratton avoided a charging Jax in the corner. Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for a near fall. Tessitore said no one had ever kicked out of the move before. Stratton went up top, but Jax cut her off and shoved her to the floor.
Jax went to ringside and cleared the broadcast table. Jax hoisted up Stratton and gave her a Samoan Drop on the broadcast table, which didn’t break. Jax tossed Stratton back inside the ring. Jax went to the ropes for the Annihilator. Stratton got to her feet and tried to powerbomb her, but Jax held on and ended up following through with the move. Jax had the pin, but Stratton reached up and grabbed one of the ropes at the last second.
Jax left the ring and grabbed the title belt. Jax dropped the belt on the apron. When the referee cleared the belt from the ring, Jax grabbed a chair. Stratton kicked the chair into the face of Jax, then hit her with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and then got the three count.
Tiffany Stratton beat Nia Jax in 14:05 to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: The closing minutes of the match were strong, and Jax’s near fall off the Annihilator was excellent. This was a good show overall, as the MITB qualifiers always give Raw and Smackdown a boost because they add a couple of matches with meaningful stakes. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of Smackdown for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Whatever it takes. With the truth in his corner I believe that Barrett wade can throw 30 people over that top rope on Sunday nights second event, pull down the brief case and end the 6357 day run of bob orton.
In all honesty I’d love to see Ron get the belt. He’s brilliant
JC Mateo defeated Solo Sikoa in 15:10.
Forget about LA Knight vs JC. The Bloodline explodes! Seriously, Mateo was solid in his debut. What bothers me is he sort of reminds me of how Mike Awesome looked like a Giant in ECW & came off normal sized in WCW & WWF. Mateo looked not that big vs Knight.
JC Mateo sounds like a member of a 90s boy band.
I don’t understand Wwe’s logic of replacing a boring name, Jeff Cobb, with an equally boring name. They could have taken their time by referring to him as JC on commentary, and let a suitable nickname evolve, like Rocky Miavia becoming the Rock over time.
Wade Barrett is one of the best commentators working today. If WWE had been patient, some sitable nickname could have evolved organically from the booth. They had to rush into a trademark, though.
When I watched, during Fraxiom-DIY, the “This is Awesome” was censored, for some reason.
What are the odds we see Solo win MitB, for an eventual cash-in on Fatu? Would be an excellent WrestleMania setup.