By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,347)
June 13, 2025, in Lexington, Kentucky at Rupp Arena
Simulcast live on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary while shots aired of fans outside the host venue. Tessitore hyped the four King and Queen of the Ring four-way matches. U.S. Champion Jacob Fatu was shown arriving at the venue, and Money in the Bank winner Naomi was shown walking backstage…
Tessitore said there were over 11,900 in attendance while he checked in from the broadcast table with Wade Barrett. Tessitore set up a video package that recapped the Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank events…
WWE Champion John Cena made his entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash, who then gave the over-the-top introduction once Cena was in the ring. Cena claimed that he occupies all four spots on pro wrestling’s Mount Rushmore. Cena said there have been great wrestlers, but no one in the past, present, or future is greater than him.
Cena said he outmaneuvers the fans because he’s smarter than they are. He said they can’t see him, and they all want to be him. Cena claimed he announced his retirement six months early so he could scout his opponents.
Powell’s POV: You know, because he couldn’t have quietly scouted those opponents for six months and then announced his retirement plan.
Cena ran through a silly scenario that made him out to be a puppet master when it came to winning the championship and retaining it against all of his challengers. Cena said that if CM Punk wants to win the championship, he has to admit to himself that he’s a hypocrite. Cena said Seth Rollins won’t cash in his MITB contract on him because Rollins wants him to leave with the WWE Championship so that he will be the only champion. Cena said no one will be worthy enough to hold the WWE Championship again.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance and greeted a lot of fans on his way to the ring. Cody removed his American Nightmare jacket and tossed it into the crowd, and he was wearing a “Lexington Nightmare” t-shirt. Cody said Cena isn’t just smart, he’s a genius. He said it’s unfortunate that everything Cena has said came to fruition.
Cody asked why Cena’s 25-year master plan didn’t include the simple fact that Cody pinned him at Money in the Bank. Cody said he’s not part of Cena’s plan; Cena is part of his plan. “So, John Rushmore, where does that leave you and I?” Cody asked.
Randy Orton made his entrance while Tessitore noted that it was the first time Orton had appeared in WWE since he last to Cena five weeks earlier. Orton said everyone saw that he had Cena beat when they met at Backlash, but somebody had to come and save the day.
Orton looked at Cody while saying he didn’t care who he had to go through to get to his 15th world championship win. Orton told Cody that he loves him like a brother and yet he won’t hesitate to put him down to get to Cena.
LA Knight came out with a microphone and spoke as he headed to the ring. Knight looked at the wrestlers in the ring and said he knew it was the WWE establishment. Knight said he’s a sore thumb, and he likes it that way. Knight entered the ring while saying he knew that Cena’s grand plan didn’t include him. Knight said that if he had to drop a Viper, a Nightmare, and a genius balding bitch he will be WWE Champion.
Cena shook his head in disgust, tossed his microphone, and left the ring while the fans booed. Ron Killings ran out and hit Cena from behind. The broadcast team members referred to him as both Killings and R-Truth. Killings threw punches at Cena until producers and security guards ran out and pulled him off as the show cut to commercial… [C]
Powell’s POV: Cena’s promo didn’t do much for me, but I like the idea of establishing who four of the top contenders for the WWE Championship are. I hope we get more fire out of Cody once we get to the inevitable rematch. He comes off too happy for a guy who is dealing with a former friend who low-blowed him and took his title.
John Cena was shown yelling at Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis in a backstage area…
Randy Orton and LA Knight were in the ring, and then Carmelo Hayes and Aleister Black made their entrances…
1. Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes in a four-way King of the Ring match. Black hit an early moonsault from the middle rope onto Hayes on the floor. In the ring, Knight stuffed an RKO attempt and then avoided a Black Mass. [C]
Orton and Hayes fought on the ropes. Hayes raked Orton’s eyes. Black caught Hayes with a kick. Orton and Black fought to the floor, and then Black ran Orton into the post. Knight went after Hayes on the ropes, but Hayes shoved him off and then frog splashed him. Hayes had the pin, but Black broke it up. [C]
Orton set up for a double Draping DDT on Black and Hayes, but Knight caught Orton with a neckbreaker, which caused Black and Hayes to take the DDTs. Knight covered Hayes for a near fall. A short time later, Knight bodyslammed Hayes and went to the ropes.
Bronson Reed showed up and pulled Knight off the apron. Bron Breakker entered the ring and spared Knight. Hayes went up top and went for a splash on Knight, but Orton hit Hayes with an RKO on the way down and then pinned him.
Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes, LA Knight, and Aleister Black in a four-way at 16:15 to advance to the King of the Ring semifinals.
The updated brackets showed that Orton will face Sami Zayn in the semifinals of the KOTR tournament… Tessitore hyped the remaining tournament matches…
U.S. Champion Jacob Fatu spoke backstage and said he’d be speaking live in Rupp Arena… [C]
Powell’s POV: Can WWE get through a Triple Threat or a four-way without interference? The match was fun otherwise. The finish was cool and perfectly executed.
U.S. Champion Jacob Fatu made his entrance while footage aired of Solo Sikoa telling JC Mateo that Fatu is “all gas and no brains.” Additional footage aired of Fatu stopping Solo from climbing the ladder during the MITB match, telling him that Solo that he hates him, and then hitting him with a double jump moonsault.
Fatu said just because you’re family doesn’t mean you can go behind someone’s back and snake them. He said just because you come from the same bloodline doesn’t mean you can take all of the credit. Fatu took exception to Solo saying he’d be nothing if it wasn’t for him.
[Hour Two] Fatu said that’s why he had to remind Solo what happens when you don’t get in where you fit in. Solo appeared on the big screen with JC Mateo standing behind him. Solo clapped and told Fatu to tell everyone how he feels.
Solo said Fatu could have made the biggest mistake of his life at MITB. Solo said he could forgive him. Solo said Fatu was doing nothing and nobody wanted anything to do with him when he visited him a year ago in Sacramento. Solo took credit for putting money in Fatu’s pocket, putting him in a position for success, and making him a champion.
Solo said he would be in the middle of the ring next week with open arms. Solo said he’s willing to take Fatu back, but he needs to hear four words: “I Love You, Solo.” Solo told Fatu that he brought him into this world and can take him out. Fatu exited the ring…
Powell’s POV: First Jimmy Uso and now Solo Sikoa. Say what you will about him, but Solo Sikoa is a forgiving man.
Backstage, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre entered Nick Aldis’s office and told him that Chelsea Green needed to speak to him immediately. Aldis said Green wasn’t there. Niven held up her phone. Green was on FaceTime sipping a drink in a pool. Green said she couldn’t find Lexington and told Aldis that he needed to postpone her QOTR match. Aldis booked Fyre as Green’s replacement. Green said she didn’t authorize that. Aldis said he did.
Women’s U.S. Champion Zelina Vega entered the room and hung up on Green after Niven and Fyre exited. Vega told Aldis that she wants to face Giulia. Vega said she will confront Giulia face-to-face next week. Vega exited the room while grumbling about how she doesn’t have to hide from anyone…
Jade Cargill made her entrance for a QOTR four-way… [C] Piper Niven and Michin were in the ring coming out of the break, and then Nia Jax made her entrance…
2. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Piper Niven vs. Michin in a four-way Queen of the Ring match. Niven took Michin to ringside and ran her into the barricade. Niven placed Michin in front of the ring post and charged toward her, but Michin moved, causing Niven to run into the post. Meanwhile, Jade ran Jax into the ring steps on the other side of the ring.
Jade and Michin squared off inside the ring until Niven pulled Michin to the floor and hit her with a senton. Jax returned to the ring and dropped an elbow on Jade. Jax hit a Samoan Drop. Niven returned to the ring and hit Jade with a senton. Jax didn’t seem pleased, but then she and Niven agreed to work together. Jade cleared both heels from the ring, but she was pulled to ringside and worked over. Michin executed an Asai moonsault onto all three opponents. [C]
Jax and Niven saluted one another and then hit corner splashes on Jade. Niven followed up with a senton and then covered Jade until Jax broke up the pin. Michin returned with a huracanrana that cleared Jax from the ring. Michin used a DDT on Niven to get a near fall.
Later, Jax and Niven tossed Cargill over the broadcast table. Tessitore said it took out Barrett. Back in the ring, Michin tried to fight off Jax and Niven. Barrett rejoined Tessitore on commentary, but he said he didn’t know what happed to Jade, who took a tougher landing than he did.
Jax ended her alliance with Niven by hitting her. Jax hit Michin with the Annihilator, but Niven broke it up. Niven got Jax at ringside and then speared her through the barricade and into the timekeepers’ area. “Holy shit” chants were muted. Niven hit a second rope splash. Jade returned and hit Niven with Jaded, and then pinned her…
Jade Cargill defeated Piper Niven, Nia Jax, and Michin in a four-way at 12:50 to advance to the Queen of the Ring semifinals.
The updated brackets showed Jade Cargill will face Roxanne Perez in a semifinal match, which Barrett said would air on next week’s Smackdown…
Naomi was shown walking backstage with the Money in the Bank briefcase… [C]
Powell’s POV: Ask and ye shall receive. This was the first of the four four-way matches that didn’t have outside interference. It was an enjoyable match, and I liked seeing Jax and Niven work together. It also led to Niven getting some cheers once she fought back after Jax ended the alliance.
Footage aired of Damian Priest’s appearance on Cody Rhodes’ podcast…
Naomi made her entrance with the Money in the Bank briefcase as highlights were shown of her winning the women’s MITB ladder match. Naomi said she could see that some of the fans were looking surprised, shocked, and stupid. Naomi said she told them she was going to win, and she took what she deserved.
Naomi said the entire time she was facing Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship, Tiffany Stratton was there distracting her with the women’s MITB briefcase. Naomi said that “Nice Naomi” let it happen, now she won’t let anything slide. She said it will feel good when she hits Stratton with the briefcase and holds the title.
WWE Women’s Champion (and all-star ceremonial baseball pitcher) Tiffany Stratton made her entrance and joined Naomi in the ring. Stratton asked Naomi why she wouldn’t just cash in and take her title. Stratton said Naomi is still all talk and no action, and that’s why she never beat Jax.
Naomi asked Stratton if she looked stupid. She said she wouldn’t cash in on her now, she’d do it when Stratton least expects it. Naomi said she would enjoy making Stratton’s life hell. Naomi told Stratton that her time is almost up, and then advised her to proceed with caution.
Nia Jax entered the ring after Naomi left. Jax tried and failed to hit Stratton from behind. Naomi returned and distracted Stratton while Jax hit Stratton from behind. Jax hit the Annihilator on Stratton. Naomi entered the ring with the briefcase, but Jax stood in front of her. Naomi made her exit…
Powell’s POV: I like the idea of crazy Naomi holding the MITB briefcase, but the live crowd either didn’t seem to care or believe that she would cash in. It was as quiet as I can remember a crowd being for a cash-in tease.
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Nick Aldis talking with The Street Profits, DIY, the Motor City Machine Guns, and Fraxiom about which team would have the first match with the Wyatt Sicks. DIY tried to volunteer Fraxiom. They were willing. DIY recommended the Profits if it wasn’t going to be Fraxiom. Aldis said that the Motor City Machine Guns saying they are the best team in the division resonated with him, so they would get the match…
“The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin made their entrance… [C] “The Wyatt Sicks” Uncle Howdy, Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross made their entrance…
3. Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy (w/Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross) vs. “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. Howdy sat in a rocking chair at ringside. The Guns cleared the ring and then hit basement dropkicks on Lumis and Gacy. The Guns followed up by diving over the top rope onto the duo on the floor, where Rowan intimidated them by showing off his giant mallet. [C]
Gacy powerbombed Lumis onto Sabin, which led to Lumis getting a two count. The Guns came back with The Facial. The Guns set up for Skull and Bones on Lumis, but Gacy broke it up. Lumis and Gacy performed a mistimed high/low on Sabin. Lumis went for the cover, but Sabin appeared to call off the pin, as Lumis stood up. Lumis looked at Howdy and asked, “Now?” Howdy responded, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” Lumis went up top and hit a leg drop on Sabin before pinning him…
Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy defeated “The Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in 9:25.
Powell’s POV: Maybe it wasn’t Naomi. The live crowd was on the quiet side during this match as well. Granted, WWE crowds have been flat during some of the tag team matches, but they typically go bonkers for the Wyatt Sicks.
Backstage, John Cena got uncomfortably close to Jimmy Uso and then asked him if he’d seen R-Truth. Jimmy said no. Cena asked if he’d seen Ron Killings. “Listen, man, I haven’t seen either one of them,” Jimmy said. Cena said he knows they are close. Cena said he was going to the ring and told Jimmy to tell Truth to meet him there… [C]
Powell’s POV: No, John, that’s Big Jim, not Little Jimmy.
Tessitore hyped Undertaker’s podcast with Michelle McCool as the new host…
WWE Champion John Cena made his entrance. Cena walked quickly to the ring and immediately grabbed a mic. “Shut up,” Cena told the fans. “Shut your mouths.” Cena said there’s a level of disrespect that he can tolerate.
[Hour Three] Cena said R-Truth crossed the line. Cena said there’s a time to talk and a time to fight. Cena called for Truth to come out and fight.
CM Punk’s entrance music played. Cena’s jaw dropped. Punk headed to the ring while the fans sang his song. Punk took a seat on the top rope while Cena looked at him with disgust. A loud “CM Punk” chant broke out. Cena said the fans are tired of being disrespected. Punk said he had the microphone and “we have yet to begin to get to the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.”
Punk said that for old time’s sake, he was going to give Cena a chance. Punk said his empathy might be too much. He said maybe he was a bit too much Obi-Wan Kenobi talking to Darth Vader, “looking for Anakin Skywalker in there somewhere.”
Punk told Cena to stop what he was doing and let the fans put him on a pedestal on his way out. “Give them a happy ending,” Punk said. New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft’s entrance theme played. Okay, not really. Cena asked why he would waste his time. He said the people don’t matter, “this place” doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, and horse racing doesn’t matter.
Cena held up his title belt and said it’s the only thing that matters. Cena said fat chance that he would eat crow for the people wearing his t-shirt and singing Punk’s song. Punk said they would do it Cena’s way. “Let the disrespect begin,” Punk said. Punk told the fans at home that it was about to get real.
Punk said there’s an old saying that you tell a lie to strong man to offend him. Punk said that’s why it pissed him off when Cena called him a hypocrite. Punk said that if you tell a weak man the truth, it offends him. A “we want Truth” chant started. Punk said Cena can’t beat him when he’s at his best. Punk said Cena wants to ruin wrestling, and he’s going to take it upon himself to save it.
Punk recalled Cena saying he had sociopathic confidence. Punk said he took that one as a compliment. Punk said it’s his unwavering confidence in himself and his ability that brought him to the mountain top time and time again when people like Cena said he didn’t have it.
Punk said he’s not as confident as Cena because he wouldn’t walk out into a sold-out arena dressed as a toddler who just struck out at t-ball. Punk asked the crowd if they liked that one. Punk said he wanted it stricken from the record because he sounded like a PG Cena. Punk recalled Cena saying he wants to ruin wrestling and take the title, and leave. “Man, you sound like CM Punk,” said Punk. “And that’s ironic. You’re stealing my best material, John.”
Punk said he said he would take the title and leave, and Cena couldn’t stop him. Punk said he’s back to make Cena’s title run interesting. Punk said he’s there to make Cena’s retirement tour palatable and interesting. Punk told Cena to fuel up his private jet because he would follow him to Mars to beat his ass. Punk said he would follow Cena to hell to prove that he is better than him.
Punk said Cena is a GOAT, but so is he. Punk said he beat Cena in his hometown and in Cena’s hometown. Punk said Cena is the GOAT that he will roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling, legends such as Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, and Eddie Guerrero. Punk said Cena is a joke for putting himself on Mount Rushmore four times.
“You can’t see me?” Punk asked. “I see through you and I always have. And that’s the truth.” Cena bumped his shoulder into Cena’s shoulder and then exited the ring.
R-Truth entered the ring and hit Cena from behind. Truth put Cena in the STF. “The Truth hurts,” Punk said before dropping the mic. Security, referees, and producers ran out to get Truth off of Cena, who limped as he exited the ring…
Powell’s POV: Punk seemed to lose his place or forget his lines early in his promo, but he regrouped and delivered a decent promo. He didn’t have a response for Cena labeling him a hypocrite aside from letting him know that it bothered him.
Backstage, Alexa Bliss was interviewed by Byron Saxton, who asked what her mindset is after failing to win MITB. She said she’s won MITB before, and she’s not rattled. She said she would remind everyone who she is and get one step closer to becoming Queen of the Ring.
Charlotte Flair walked onto the interview set and said there’s only room for one queen in the women’s division. Flair let out a woooo and then made her entrance for the Queen of the Ring four-way match. Once Flair was posing at ringside, Bliss’s entrance music played. Flair looked annoyed while Bliss walked out holding the idiotic Lilly doll. Bliss smiled as she walked past Flair… [C]
Backstage, R-Truth was talking to himself when Nick Aldis approached him. He said he got an earful from Cena earlier and then asked Truth what he wants him to do. Truth told Aldis to give him Cena in the ring next week. “Done,” Aldis said before walking away. Truth said he’s driving now…
4. Alexa Bliss vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Candice LeRae vs. Alba Fyre in a four-way Queen of the Ring match. Fyre and LeRae did not have televised entrances. Flair was standing tall heading into an early PIP break. [C] Flair put Bliss in a a Figure Eight. LeRae performed a springboard moonsault onto Flair to break the hold.
Fyre dumped Flair face-first on the mat and covered her until Bliss broke up the pin. Bliss put Fyre down with a DDT. Bliss hit Fyre with Twisted Bliss and had her beat, but Flair broke up the pin and dumped Bliss to the floor. LeRae rolled up Flair for a two count. Flair came right back with a spear and got a two count.
Flair set up for her finisher on LeRae, but Fyre superkicked her. Flair put Fyre down with a big boot and then put her in a Figure Eight. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss on LeRae and covered her. Bliss got the three count before Fyre tapped out.
Alexa Bliss defeated Candice LeRae, Charlotte Flair, and Alba Fyre in roughly 11:00 to the Queen of the Ring semifinals.
The updated bracket showed that Bliss will face the winner of the Asuka vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Ivy Nile four-way match that will be held on Monday’s Raw…
Powell’s POV: There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it seemed like the finish may have been a bit off, as Flair had Fyre in her finishing hold longer than one would think they would want before Fyre finally tapped. While I can take or leave Bliss advancing, I like that they are finally telling a story of Flair being in a slump. It will be interesting to see how it affects her character and what causes her to snap out of it.
Cody Rhodes was shown walking backstage when he crossed paths with CM Punk. Cody told Punk that they can’t run away from each other forever. Punk said he knew and wished Cody good luck in his match. Punk said that after Night of Champions, they’d see who would be chasing whom. Cody made his entrance…
An ad for Monday’s Raw promoted the last two King and Queen of the Ring tournament matches. Jey Uso was listed as the mystery man who will face Sheamus, Rusev, and Bronson Reed in the King of the Ring qualifier. New World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was also advertised… [C]
The following matches were announced for next week’s Smackdown in Grand Rapids, Michigan: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn in a King of the Ring semifinal match, Alexa Bliss vs. TBD in a Queen of the Ring semifinal match, and John Cena vs. R-Truth in an apparent non-title match…
Powell’s POV: The graphic listed “R-Truth” for those keeping score at home.
The end of Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrance was shown, Andrade came out to the usual flat crowd reaction, and then Damian Priest made his entrance…
5. Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest vs. Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a four-way King of the Ring match. Nakamura left the ring, Cody hit him with a suicide dive. Cody went back to the apron and was knocked off it by Andrade. Cody returned to break up Andrade’s double knees attempt on Priest, who then hit a Broken Arrow on Andrade for a two count.
Cody clotheslined Priest over the top rope to the floor. Priest pulled Cody to ringside where they fought. Nakamura ran over and fought both men. Andrade performed a moonsault off the top of the ring post onto his opponents. All four men were down heading into a PIP break. [C]
Priest set up for an Old School move on Nakamura. Cody went up top next to Priest, who grabbed him by the throat. Nakamura knocked both men down. A short time later, Cody set up the sponsored (yes, really) table on the floor. Cody and Priest ended up on the apron. They both looked down at the table and then set up for a double suplex on Andrade, but Nakamura broke it up. Nakamura kicked Cody off the apron and through the table, going into the final PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Priest set up Cody for Razor’s Edge, but Cody slipped away and then dropped him with a Cody Cutter. Priest rolled out of the ring. Cody hit CrossRhodes on Andrade. Nakamura put Cody in a sleeper and then released the hold to set up for another move. Nakamura made the throat slash gesture. Cody escaped Nakamura’s hold, hit him with CrossRhodes, and scored the pin.
Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura, Andrade, and Damian Priest in 17:05 to advance to the King of the Ring semifinals.
The updated bracket showed that Cody will face the winner of the Sheamus vs. Rusev vs. Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso four-way that will be held on Monday’s Raw. Cody celebrated his win as the executive producer credits were shown. Cody kissed the mat as the show went off the air…
Powell’s POV: An enjoyable main event. Cody was the favorite, but Priest being in the match at least made things interesting. Cody is the favorite to win King of the Ring, but they could surprise us by having a Raw wrestler win and still get back to Cody challenging for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
Overall, the King and Queen of the Ring matches made the show feel newsworthy. There were a couple of rough in-ring moments, but this was pretty loaded for a three-hour marathon. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same-night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of Smackdown by grading the show below. Have a great weekend.
We have Aleister Black, Karrion Kross, Damian Priest. They all seem to have some kind of devil/cultish theme, but I don’t understand why. What is their gimmick? The reason, origin, etc.
I have no problem with it. Just want some kind of explanation.
New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft’s entrance theme played. Okay, not really.
That was good LOL
I laughed out loud (for real), as well. Try the veal!
I’m kinda torn on how they are doing KOTR/QOTR now. I DO like the idea of using it as a playoff for challenging the champion at Summer Slam. On the flip side, I liked KOTR being largely a showcase for up and coming talent. Kind of like a mid-card graduation or heck even a graduation INTO the mid-card. I feel like it takes away the opportunity for new faces and talents to develop, even if it works fine for main event qualification storytelling.