Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for July 4, 2025

At the start of the show, Jacob Fatu attacks Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and JC Mateo outside of the arena until security and officials show up.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody talks about his King of the Ring victory and states that it not only signifies where we have been, but where we are going, then Randy Orton heads to the ring. Orton talks about how he said he would not hesitate to beat Cody only to hesitate when he had him dead to rights. He says Cody did not hesitate, and pulled the trigger, and for that, he respects him. After he admits that he will not forget this, he asks Cody not to squander this opportunity and to kick John Cena's ass at SummerSlam. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre returns for the first time in weeks. McIntyre says Orton lost the psychological battle before he hesitated due to Cody buttering him up before their match, and reminds him that Cody attacked Orton's back the moment he tweaked it. He wants to know what happened to Orton, as he went from punting legends in the head to becoming a dead legend in a few years, then tells Cody that he wants him to win at SummerSlam, as he wants to face him and rip the WWE Championship from his hands. McIntyre then says that he will not hesitate, unlike Orton, who then hits McIntyre with an RKO out of nowhere before he and Cody have a brief staredown.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Charlotte Flair meets with General Manager Nick Aldis. Charlotte finds out that she is in a tag team #1 contender's match, and if she wins, she and her partner get a tag team title shot. Alexa Bliss shows up and says they are tag partners, not friends, and Charlotte is forced to reluctantly go along with this after Alexa says Charlotte has not been in the spotlight for a while and Aldis says that Charlotte does not always know what is best for her. Charlotte tells Alexa to stay out of her way.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre runs into General Manager Nick Aldis, wanting a match with Randy Orton. Aldis says Orton has left the building, but he can get a match next week at Saturday Night's Main Event. McIntyre then runs into Jacob Fatu, then walks away after a brief staredown. Aldis tells Jacob to find a tag team partner so he can take on Solo Sikoa and company later tonight. Jimmy Uso shows up right after Aldis leaves and becomes Jacob's tag partner.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre) and the team of B-Fab and "Michin" Mia Yim in a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Match after Charlotte pats Alexa on the head sarcastically, which counts as a tag. This allows Charlotte to boot Chelsea Green off the top rope so that Alexa can hit Twisted Bliss on Alba Fyre for the win.

In backstage footage from earlier today, General Manager Nick Aldis chews out the SmackDown tag team division for their interference from last week. This leads to an argument between #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom), which leads to Fraxiom getting a tag team match against Andrade and Rey Fenix. As for the rest of the tag team division, one man from each of the remaining teams will face The Wyatt Sicks while everyone else stays backstage, and if The Wyatt Sicks win tonight, they will be back in contention for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Gargano tries to unite the tag team division to no avail.

The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis) beat Montez Ford, Johnny Gargano, Chris Sabin and Berto in an eight-man tag match after Johnny Gargano steps off the ring apron before Chris Sabin can tag him in, as Gargano wants nothing to do with Erick Rowan.

We hear from Giulia, who says that she knows what the WWE Women's United States Championship means and that opponents will come to her and they will all fall. She hopes to take the title where it have never been before before daring anyone to challenge her.

WWE acknowledges Independence Day in the United States.

Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring. Tiffany says that she knows there has been a target on her back and that she would not let Nia Jax's revenge keep her from being last woman standing. As she states that she is ready to beat Jade Cargill at SummerSlam well as whoever she defends the WWE Women's Championship against at Evolution, Jade Cargill shows up and heads to the ring. Jade says Tiffany was barely standing while she made quick work of Asuka, then tells Tiffany that she has a choice to make and that if she chooses wrong, she will not make it to SummerSlam. Tiffany reveals that her choice is none other than WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, then mentions how they teamed up in the past before giving her the opportunity to face her for the WWE Women's Championship. Jade says it does not matter if she faces Tiffany or a legend at SummerSlam, and Trish Stratus thanks Tiffany for allowing her to wrestle in front of her kids, yet she has never been a champion in front of her kids. Tiffany warns Trish that it will not be easy as it is not the Attitude Era, but Trish says she wants that fight. Tiffany says that whether she faces Trish or Cargill, everyone will know the world runs on Tiffy Time.

We hear from Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Tama Tonga. Solo Sikoa introduces Hikuleo - now known as Tala Tonga - then says his group is more dangerous than ever. He then says that he and JC Mateo will take care of Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso as he declares his family complete.

Backstage, Trish Stratus runs into Jade Cargill. Cargill tells Trish Stratus that if she wins at Evolution, she will see her at SummerSlam. Trish tells Cargill she will see her at SummerSlam. After Trish leaves, Cargill is attacked from behind by Naomi. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up, and Cargill demands a match with Naomi.

Andrade and Rey Fenix beat Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom).

Backstage, Damian Priest meets Aleister Black. Priest mentions that Aleister has a match with Ron Killings next week.

Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso beat Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo. After the match, Jacob Fatu clears the announce table, but Tala Tonga shows up and stops Jacob from putting Solo through it. Jimmy fights Tala, but Tanga Loa joins in, and JC Mateo takes Jimmy for A Tour of the Islands. Jacob Fatu is then held down for Solo Sikoa to hit him with a Samoan Spike, then Jacob is powerbombed through the announce desk.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!

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