By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,352)
July 18, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas at Frost Bank Center
Simulcast live on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] The show opened with a multi-car accident scene outside the venue. Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo, Talla Tonga, and a bloody Tanga Loa were talking with police and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, while Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, and B-Fab were talking with other police officers.
Cody Rhodes showed up and said he knew Pearce had his hands full. Pearce gave him the SummerSlam contract and said he’d catch up with him later. Cathy Kelley said she would provide updates…
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from their ringside broadcast table. Barrett wondered what led to the car accident scene…
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Alexa Bliss holding the ridiculous Lilly doll. Charlotte Flair showed up wearing a “We’re Not Friends” t-shirt and informed Bliss that she spoke with Pearce about getting them a title shot at SummerSlam…
Powell’s POV: There were a couple of female wrestlers in the background, but I couldn’t make out who they were.
Entrances for the opening match took place while ring announcer Mark Nash delivered the introductions…
1. Charlotte Flair (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/Roxanne Perez). Rodriguez ran Flair into the ring post heading into an early picture-in-picture break. [C]
Late in the match, Flair put Rodriguez down with a big boot. Flair set up for her finisher, but Perez climbed on the apron and distracted her. Flair kicked Perez off the apron. Bliss hit Rodriguez with a pom-pom and then clotheslined her over the top rope while the referee was scolding Perez. Flair kicked Rodriguez and then rolled her up for the three count…
Charlotte Flair beat Raquel Rodriguez in 9:15.
Powell’s POV: Rodriguez didn’t act like the pom-pom hurt her. Rather, it made her turn around into the clothesline over the top rope. The match was solid, and the fans seem to be taking to the Flair and Bliss pairing.
Police officials asked Adam Pearce if he knew where Jacob Fatu was. An officer explained that Fatu was a person of interest in the car accident. Pearce spotted Fatu and led the police to him. Fatu said he wasn’t going with the “punk-ass police” and said he didn’t do anything. Pearce told Fatu to answer their questions to avoid making things worse. Fatu calmed down and went with the cops… [C]
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and her SummerSlam challenger Jade Cargill were featured in a video package. Jade said she let Naomi distract her, but now she’s going for the championship. Stratton said she’s underestimated and has heard criticism, but she’s the champion. Stratton said Jade will be another name on the long list of wrestlers she has beaten…
Tessitore listed the attendance as 16,112 and said the show was sold out…
Footage aired of R-Truth pinning Aleister Black last week, which led to Black taking out Damian Priest backstage…
Damian Priest was shown walking backstage when he came across Carmelo Hayes, who was speaking with a woman. Priest asked Hayes if he’d seen Aleister Black. Hayes said no, and he wouldn’t tell Priest even if he did. Priest said once he finds Black, he’ll end up begging for forgiveness. Hayes continued to chirp, so Priest challenged him to a match. Hayes said he’s been looking for an opportunity, especially against a former champion…
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance… Cody Rhodes hosted a look at The Naked Gun movie, which he has a part in… [C] Damian Priest made his entrance…
2. Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes. Hayes attacked Priest before the bell. The referee separated them, checked on Priest, and then called for the bell (the way it’s supposed to be done!). Priest put Hayes down with a big boot and then removed his own jacket.
The match spilled over to ringside. Priest hoisted up Hayes to run him into the ring post. Hayes escaped and shoved Priest toward the post, but Priest stopped short. Hayes dropkicked Priest into the post and then flexed his biceps. [C]
Priest set up for Razor’s Edge, but Hayes slipped away. Hayes went for a top rope move and rolled through when Priest avoided it. Priest grabbed Hayes by the throat, but Hayes countered with a Codebreaker. Hayes followed up with a top rope frog splash for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Hayes sent Priest to the floor and then dove off the apron, but Priest caught him with a punch and dumped him on the broadcast table. Priest got Hayes back inside the ring and set up for Old School. Aleister Black appeared on the apron and swept the legs of Priest for the DQ.
Damian Priest defeated Carmelo Hayes by DQ in 9:00.
After the match, Black put Priest down with a Black Mass kick. Black turned and looked at Hayes, who exited the ring. Black stood over Priest and adjusted his tie before his entrance theme played, and then he exited the ring…
Powell’s POV: An enjoyable match with Hayes coming off like he held his own with the former world champion. As such, I don’t mind the DQ finish, because it spared Hayes from taking another loss. I thought they might even be setting up a Triple Threat until Hayes and Black staring at one another was followed by Hayes backing down.
The broadcast team ran through the lineup for the remainder of the show…
A Wyatt Sicks video played. Uncle Howdy said they were where they belonged. Dexter Lumis said the Street Profits’ bond was only held together by their lust for gold. Erick Rowan said a new family has been forged that’s not defined by the blood they share. Nikki Cross spoke briefly, and then Joe Gacy spoke about stripping the teams of their wicked desires and burning their vanity… [C]
U.S. Champion Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa came out for an in-ring promo. Solo said tonight was the perfect example of how Jacob Fatu is. Solo said Fatu doesn’t listen to anyone and only cares about himself.
Solo said he gave Fatu the world and made him a champion. Solo said Fatu deserves none of it. Solo said Fatu is selfish and betrayed the only family he had. “Once a criminal, always a criminal,” Solo said.
A police SUV was shown on the big screen arriving in the backstage area. Jimmy Uso was standing by, and then Fatu exited the back of the SUV. A cop apologized to Fatu, saying he was cleared after they reviewed the footage. Fatu called them punk-ass police and then walked through the back and made his entrance.
Jimmy Uso showed up on the other side of the ring. Talla ran after Jimmy, who held the top rope down, causing the big man to crash on the floor. Fatu and Jimmy worked over Solo, Mateo, and Loa.
Talla pulled Jimmy to the floor and hit him with a big boot. Talla cleared the broadcast table and prepared to chokeslam Jimmy, but Fatu hit Talla with a suicide dive that sent him over the broadcast table.
[Hour Two] Talla stood up behind Fatu, who turned around and locked eyes with him. Jimmy went after Talla, who grabbed him and then Fatu by the throat. They broke free and hit Talla with superkicks. Fatu whipped Jimmy toward Talla, who was sent crashing into the timekeepers’ area.
Fatu returned to the ring and attacked Solo, who escaped the ring. Jimmy grabbed Solo and threw him back inside the ring, where Fatu superkicked him. Fatu wrapped a chair around the neck of Solo. Fatu set up for a hip attack.
Mateo returned to the ring and stopped Fatu. Loa, whom Tessitore mistakenly called Tama Tonga, also returned, but he was quickly put down and hit with an Uso Splash. Fatu slammed a chair over the backs of Mateo and Loa.
Adam Pearce came out and asked Solo if he was trying to frame an innocent man and get Fatu locked up. Pearce said they’d see how Solo likes it. Pearce announced Solo vs. Fatu in a steel cage match for the U.S. Championship at SummerSlam. Pearce had the cops come out and told them, “He’s all yours.” Solo tried to point the cops to Fatu, but they handcuffed him and escorted him to the back…
Footage aired from Jimmy Kimmel Live of the angle involving guest host Jelly Roll, Randy Orton, and their SummerSlam opponents Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul…
Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance… [C] The broadcast team recapped the Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu angle…
3. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre (w/Piper Niven). Fyre’s entrance was not televised. Fyre went for an early Swanton, but Vaquer put her knees up. Vaquer delivered the Devil’s Kiss. Vaquer stuffed a Gory Special and hit the SVB, which led to the three count.
Stephanie Vaquer defeated Alba Fyre in 1:30.
After the match, Niven attacked Vaquer and hit her with a senton. Niven set up Vaquer in the corner and went to the ropes, but Vaquer recovered and sent her to ringside…
Cathy Kelley interviewed “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, who were accompanied by B-Fab. Ford said the Wyatt Sicks came up from the swamp and used underhanded tactics to take the tag team titles from them. Dawkins said they’re not going anywhere and would take the titles back.
“DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa showed up with Candice LeRae and mocked the Profits for blowing it against the Wyatts. LeRae told them to watch their match, and they might learn something. B-Fab started to fire back, but Ford stopped her…
DIY made their entrance for the four-way tag team match… [C] A “Did You Know?” graphic said San Antonio has hosted four Royal Rumble events, which is more than any other city…
The end of Rey Fenix and Andrade’s entrance was televised while the other teams were already in the ring…
4. “Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom vs. “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs. Rey Fenix and Andrade vs. “DIY” Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano in a four-way for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles. Fenix sent Gargano to the floor with a huracanrana. Fenix and Andrade ran the ropes for dives, but they were cut off by Fraxiom.
Fraxiom ran the ropes, but they were pulled to the floor by Shelley and Sabin. Shelley held the ropes open while Sabin dove between his legs and ropes and then took out DIY with a suicide dive. [C]
Fenix hit a nice frog splash on Axiom and had him pinned, but the other teams ran in and broke it up. Later, Ciampa hit Project Ciampa on Axiom for another two count going into a PIP break. [C]
Andrade set up Ciampa for The Message, but LeRae distracted Andrade, who was rolled up for a near fall by Ciampa. Gargano threw a superkick at Andrade, who moved, causing the kick to take out Ciampa. Andrade cleared Gargano from the ring. Fenix dove onto Gargano. Andrade hit The Message on Ciampa and got the three count…
Rey Fenix and Andrade defeated “DIY” Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, “Fraxiom” Nathan Frazer and Axiom, and “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in a four-way in 15:45 to earn a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: All the action of an all-star eight-man tag team match, only there was actually something at stake.
The broadcast team listed the following matches for next week’s Smackdown in Cleveland: Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy vs. Rey Fenix and Andrade for the WWE Tag Team Titles, Alexa Bliss vs. Roxanne Perez, and Randy Orton, Jelly Roll, Drew McIntyre, and Logan Paul appear…
Cody Rhodes was shown walking backstage while the broadcast team hyped the contract signing segment…
An ad for Raw hyped Roman Reigns for Monday’s show in Houston… [C]
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce stood in the ring for the contract signing segment and introduced Cody Rhodes, who made his entrance and immediately signed the contract. It sounded like there were some boos. Cody thanked the fans for their warm welcome. He said it made him feel like a Texan, and pointed out that his father was a Texan, and his brother is a Texan.
Cody said he tweeted something on social media that was overanalyzed, which he said was not his intention. The tweet read: “Don’t flinch. Thank you all for riding with me all this time. Love you for it. Excited for what we do next.” He gave examples of how he didn’t flinch, including when it came to The Rock. Cody said he flinched at WrestleMania 41 when he faced John Cena.
Pearce introduced John Cena, who made his entrance dressed in his gear that had San Antonio Spurs colors. Cena had Cody sit down at the contract signing table with him. Cena said he had some bad news.
“I am not going to be at SummerSlam,” Cena said. He explained that he is filming a big movie for Netflix in New York City. He said he is exhausted and “we all think it’s best if I don’t compete at SummerSlam.” Cena said Cody earned his rematch, and he would give it to him in Paris or Perth, but there was no way he could sign the SummerSlam contract.
Cena claimed there was nothing he could do because if his name goes on the contract, then he has to be at SummerSlam. Cena said he’s been working hard, and he’s emotionally out of it. Cena said it was a tough decision, but it’s what was best for business.
Cena stood up and said he wanted to give the fans fireworks and a night to remember on his farewell tour, but this was all he could give the fans. Cena was booed. He said he appreciated their understanding and patience, and then thanked Cody as well. Cena said goodnight and exited the ring.
Cody removed his jacket, exited the ring, and attacked Cena in the entrance aisle before bringing him back to ringside. Cena regrouped and ran Cody into the ring steps. Cena sent Cody back inside the ring and then grabbed his title belt.
Cena returned to the ring and tried to hit Cody with the belt, but Cody avoided it. Cody got the belt and struck Cena with it. Cody placed Cena on top of the contract signing table. Cody went up top with the contract folder and then hit a top rope splash that put Cena through the table.
Cody took out the pen, put it in Cena’s hand, and forced him to sign the contract. Cody told Cena to check the fine print. Cody said it’s not just a match for the title at SummerSlam, it’s a street fight. Cody’s entrance theme played. Cody looked down at the WWE Championship and picked it up while the executive producer credits were shown. Cody held up the title belt and then looked at it again to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A ridiculous segment. We’ve seen things like this in the past in pro wrestling, but I expect better from the current creative regime. Nearly everyone over age ten knows that Cody forcing Cena to sign while Cena was laid out wouldn’t actually hold up. Not that I blame him for this crap, but Cena’s heel run can’t end soon enough.
Overall, this was a solid show until the absurd final segment. I will have a lot more to say about it during my weekly same-night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
I think (I am free to be corrected) that some people write some segments and other people write others. Therefore, I would suggest that whoever wrote that closing segment should be fired. And this is coming from someone who was the victim of this sort of angle at one time! And I was not an active wrestler when it happened either!
I’m going to assume everyone except me knows what this is about.