Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for May 16, 2025

Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Jeff Cobb head to the ring to start tonight's show. Solo Sikoa introduces Jeff Cobb as the man who kept the WWE United States Championship in the family. He says that when Roman Reigns lost to Cody Rhodes, he ruined everything for the family and lost everything. Solo then says he will be the one to take it all back, starting by winning his Money in the Bank qualifier match tonight, grabbing the briefcase and taking the WWE Championship back, and if anyone gets in his way, Cobb and Jacob will take care of them. When Solo uses Jacob's catchphrase, Jacob takes the microphone from him and says he would bring the United States title to the family and do it with or without Solo, and if anyone gets in his way, he will deal with them himself. Solo interrupts Jacob, saying he is doing all of this because he loves him and wants to help. He says the United States title is proof of him telling Jacob that he loves him. Solo then wants to know if Jacob still loves him, and Jacob says he does, but Solo wants some emotion in it and tells him to say it loud and proud. Suddenly, LA Knight shows up. Instead of showing up from the stage, he shows up from behind and pulls Jeff Cobb out of the ring before escaping through the crowd.

Backstage, B-Fab wants "Michin" Mia Yim to qualify for Money in the Bank so they can go after the women's tag titles. Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre) show up, and Chelsea says she will qualify and win to become champion again. Alexa Bliss then shows up and tells Chelsea "See you out there." B-Fab then reminds Chelsea that she will have no seconds at ringside before she and Michin leave.

Alexa Bliss beats Chelsea Green and "Michin" Mia Yim in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the women's Money in the Bank Match after pulling Michin out of the ring following an Un-Pretty-Her from Chelsea and hitting Chelsea with Sister Abigail to win.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) beat #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) after a slightly disoriented Axiom manages to get a sit-down pin and win on Ciampa. After the match, #DIY continues to attack Fraxiom until The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) show up and chases #DIY off.

Backstage, Rey Fenix is met by Andrade, who wishes him good luck tonight. Fenix compliments Andrade on the teamwork last week, and says that while he lost at WrestleMania, he is ready for the next level. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Jeff Cobb show up looking for LA Knight, then leave.

Backstage, Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) are congratulated by The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford), who announce that Fraxiom have a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships next week.

In footage from earlier today, Wade Barrett interviews R-Truth. R-Truth says life is tough, but he still worships and looks up to John Cena. When Barrett reminds R-Truth about Cena putting him through at able at the Backlash post-show press conference, R-Truth refuses to believe that Cena would be a bad guy. He says he does not want to fight Cena, but if he has to beat Cena to his senses, he will do it, and he will do it at Saturday Night's Main Event. He says that regardless of what happens, he will leave with his head held high.

We hear from Damian Priest, who is angry with himself for getting caught up in Drew McIntyre's drama and states that there needs to be a conclusion. He wants to hurt McIntyre badly and make him feel pain, and bash his face in so badly that the hospital will need dental records to identify him. He wants a steel cage against Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes tells Aleister Black made a mistake not taking his head off and says that it will not be over until he wins.

Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes ends in a no-contest after The Miz attacks Aleister before he can hit Carmelo with Black Mass. After the match, Aleister counters the Skull Crushing Finale with a Black Mass, but Carmelo hits a chop block followed by the ground and pound. He then goes up top and hits Aleister with Nothing But Net.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Alexa Bliss, who plans to win Money in the Bank twice and be the first in the women's division to do so. She suddenly notices Charlotte Flair, and they have a brief conversation about how Charlotte was the only one to give her the time of day in NXT (which Charlotte does not remember) when Giulia shows up. General Manager Nick Aldis soon shows up and announces that Giulia is now part of the SmackDown roster, then meets with Charlotte after Giulia leaves. Charlotte tells Alexa to stay out of her way, but Alexa says "Keep telling yourself that."

We see a video package chronicling the feud between Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax.

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring. McIntyre says he has heard what Damian Priest has to stay, and while he admits they have had a lot of violence against each other, he has been in his own vortex for a year and his vortex is the only reason Priest is relevant. He states that he has kept trying to get rid of Priest and Priest just keeps getting involved, then chalks everything up to "a psychotic level of jealousy" towards how he is better than Priest in every way imaginable. McIntyre then admits that Priest is willing to crush the competition and kill him in order to do after recent events, then states that this must end and that he will see Priest in the steel cage, guaranteeing that only one man will walk out of it while the other leaves on a stretcher. As McIntyre makes his way to the back, he meets Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Jeff Cobb, who are heading to the ring for the next match. Before the next match, Jeff Cobb's WWE name is announced to be "JC Mateo."

Before the next match, Jimmy Uso says Money in the Bank is around the corner, and that he must go through Solo Sikoa and Rey Fenix to win the briefcase, cash in and become a champion.

Solo Sikoa beats Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match following interference from Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo.

After the match, LA Knight rushes in and attacks JC Mateo and Jacob Fatu, then keeps Solo and company at bay with a metal folding chair at the announce desk. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up with officials to calm things down and makes a match between LA Knight and JC Mateo, officially giving JC Mateo his WWE debut match.

JC Mateo beats LA Knight after Knight takes out Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu on the outside only to get back into the ring and get hit with A Tour of the Islands by JC Mateo.

Backstage, Angel tells Santos Escobar that he cannot get a hold of Berto. Escobar feels Berto is talking to "the wrong people" and is willing to forgive what happened last week, and that he has an opportunity that will help them make a statement. He tells Angel to find Berto and bring him home so they can work things out.

We hear from Shinsuke Nakamura, who says that LA knight is still the same man he was when he faced him for the United States title and has the same hunger that will bring him down. He also addresses Aleister Black, stating he does not fear him as he hides behind smoke and mirrors because deep down inside, he fears the darkness. He says there is a deeper darkness lurking behind the shadows. Nakamura says he is sharpening his katana and is waiting to make his move and make both men sink at his feet when he qualifies for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match and proves that he is unstoppable.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton runs into Jade Cargill, who says that she will face whoever wins the WWE Women's Championship and become a champion. Tiffany tells Cargill not to get too comfortable, as she is always ready, for as long as she is champion, she will never be good enough to cash in on her despite her talent. As this conversation goes on, Naomi can be seen in the background.

Tiffany Stratton retains the WWE Women's Championship against Nia Jax. During the match, Naomi shows up with a metal folding chair, but she is soon chased through the crowd by Jade Cargill. Near the end of the match, Nia Jax tries to walk off with the WWE Women's Championship, but lays it at the corner of the ring to grab Naomi's metal folding chair as the referee's back is turned. Tiffany drop kicks the chair into Nia's face, then hits a second Prettiest Moonsault Ever - with Nia somehow having kicked out of the first one following Cargill chasing Naomi into the crowd - to win and retain.

Here are the full highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!