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!

Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for May 23, 2025

Damian Priest attacks Drew McIntyre backstage at the start of the show, and security and officials quickly get involved.

Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Tiffany talked about how she walked into Money in the Bank last year with all the hype in the world on her way to becoming WWE Women's Champion, and along the way, she beat some of the best, including Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. She proclaims that in two weeks, somebody will have the same opportunity she had, but as she warns the potential winner what to expect if they cash in on her, Alexa Bliss shows up and heads to the ring. Alexa introduces herself and says she has had her eye on Tiffany since she beat Charlotte Flair, then tells her to pray that she does not win the briefcase, as she will make her downfall as quick as her ascent. Charlotte shows up, and claims to be the most humble 14-time women's champion in WWE history before congratulating Tiffany on beating her before telling her that her reign will not last forever. She says she has done everything in WWE except win Money in the Bank, and she plans to win it and take back the spotlight, as she takes what she wants. Tiffany calls out Charlotte's hypocrisy, quoting her as saying that the Money in the Bank briefcase is the easy way out and wants to know why she wants to qualify, then says both Alexa and Charlotte are "too vintage" for her, that they are the standard and that she is the upgrade, and that it will always be "Tiffy Time." Giulia then heads to the ring for the next match as Tiffany and Alexa leave.

Giulia beats Zelina Vega and Charlotte Flair in a Triple Threat Match to qualify for the women's Money in the Bank match after stomping Charlotte's recently repaired knee to break the Figure Eight before hitting Zelina with the Northern Lights Bomb.

Backstage, we hear from #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa). Ciampa says they made the SmackDown tag team division the best on the planet when they showed up, but he can feel The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) breathing down their necks. Gargano says The Motor City Machines have only ridden off their coattails Ciampa says they are your favorite tag team's tag team, then brings up the recent debut of Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom). Gargano says Fraxiom is another team conspiring against them. Ciampa says something needs to change, and that change comes tonight when he faces Chris Sabin tonight.

Backstage, Zelina Vega runs into Chelsea Green and her Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre). When Chelsea mocks her for "being a loser despite being a champion," Zelina attacks her only to get outnumbered. Michin and B-Fab show up to even the numbers, then officials have to break the brawl up. General Manager Nick Aldis makes the brawl an official three-on-three match.

Tommaso Ciampa beats Chris Sabin thanks to the sudden return of Candice LeRae.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom). Frazer says it has has been a wild night and tonight is the biggest night of their lives. Axiom says tonight is the night they could be champions, and while Street Profits are among the best, they are a stepping stone on their path to greatness. Frazer says they are not worried about what #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) has to say, and if they win tonight, they could make history.

Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest brawl again, this time brawling their way towards the ring. Security has to get involved once again, then Priest says he is getting his pound of flesh before breaking through security to get to McIntyre again.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu wants a word with Solo Sikoa, saying he does not trust JC Mateo because he is not blood or family, and that he does not like what Solo is trying to do, as he did not need their help at Backlash. Sikoa says this is the aggression he needs to see in tonight's match, and that he needs him and Mateo on the same page tonight.

Backstage, Charlotte Flair runs into Alexa Bliss. At first, Charlotte thinks she is talking to her, but she is really talking to her doll Lilly.

"Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab beats The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre) after Zelina Vega puts a stop to the distraction from Chelsea Green.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Dawkins says tonight is a big night for them and their opponents, but the WWE Tag Team titles are food on the table and that lights are too big for Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom). Montez says Fraxiom are not the best like they claim to be and that they will walk in and out as champs. Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Jacob Fatu glare at them on the way to the ring for the next match.

Santos Escobar meets with Angel and Berto over wine. He knows that there is fighting within family, but he also knows what they are capable of when they come together. He says that at Worlds Collide, they will come together at the best WWE has to offer against the best AAA has to offer and is the greatest chance for them to be victorious in front of their people. Berto is reluctant to join Angel and Escobar in their toast at first, but Escobar asks Berto to trust him. Berto has a swig, then leaves. Escobar tells Angel that Berto will soon understand.

Backstage, Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix get hyped up for the next match.

Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo beat Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix after Solo distracts Jimmy, allowing JC Mateo to avoid the splash by Jimmy Uso and hit A Tour of the Islands.

Backstage, Byron Saxton is interrupted by LA Knight, who says that while the odds are against him, he will walk into Money in the Bank, he will show up and show out, but before that, he must walk through the darkness with Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura. He says that he will shine a light on both men who are making it "spooky season," because it is championship season and one of them is getting "three the hard way."

R-Truth heads to the ring. R-Truth says everyone has asked him how he will handle fighting John Cena tomorrow night, then says he is not fighting his childhood hero, as the man he sees now is one he does not recognize. He says he has thought about the man he used to know and does not know where it went wrong or how he could have prevented this, but then he realized the problem: power. He says it is always power, and says that Cena used to call him a friend and a brother, but the more power and fame he got, the more disconnected he felt. He says that he stopped conversing and felt annoyed with him, and he blamed himself. R-Truth says he thought he did something wrong or did something to upset him, but after talking to others, he realized that Cena isolated himself with power much like Gollum in Lord of the Rings and corrupted himself with that power. He compares Cena to Gollum looking at the WWE Championship like the One Ring and says "It's not the championship...it's your ego, dawg!" He says that Cena gets mad when someone wants to have fun and that he does not like what Cena has become and that Cena is not happy. He says Cena is the greatest of all time, and while he does not know if he can bring him back, he will try, for Cena will not take his joy from him. R-Truth states that to save wrestling, he must save Cena, and while he does not want to fight him, he will beat "the everloving hustle, loyalty and respect" back into him. He says that he misses his hero and cannot deny it, "so Saturday, we say it again: If Cena wins, we riot."

We see a video package for Naomi vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax for their women's Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifier next week.

LA Knight beats Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black in a men's Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifier after Aleister hits Nakamura with Black Mass only for Knight to toss Aleister out of the ring to pick the bones.

Backstage, Carmelo Hayes laughs at Aleister Black's loss, then The Miz asks Carmelo Hayes to listen to him. Carmelo then mentions he is in a Money in the Bank qualifier, but Miz says General Manager Nick Aldis gave him the choice between himself and Carmelo and he picked Carmelo. Miz tells Carmelo that he has faith in him to win the same opportunity that made him WWE Champion; all Carmelo has to do is listen to him.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo, and he tells Jacob Fatu that he is in the last men's Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifier. Aldis leaves, then Solo says that they will both win. Jacob smiles and says "I love you, Solo," then leaves.

We hear from Bianca Belair, who says that the only consistent in life in change and that the last six months have been the most challenging, difficult and frustrating time in her life. Bianca says that while she wants to give up, she refuses to let this define her and she is getting through it, and that she will heal stronger and wiser. She then says that her best is yet to come.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) for the WWE Tag Team Championships ends in a no-contest. During the match, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Candice LeRae head towards the ring, but The Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley) catch up to them, and both teams brawl. Montez Ford takes out both of these teams on the outside as the match continues, then the arena suddenly goes dark. When the lights come back on, The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross) suddenly appear in the middle of the ring and take out everyone else. The show ends with The Wyatt Sicks celebrating while Uncle Howdy blows out the candle on a chocolate birthday cake in honor of what would have been Bray Wyatt's 38th birthday.

Here are the higlights for tonight's show!

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

Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for March 28, 2025

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody gets the "Daddy Cool"-style chant, then states that at WrestleMania 41, he will face John Cena - who gets booed - as he tries to break the record and win his 17th world championship, but in a few nights, he will be face-to-face with Cena. Suddenly, Randy Orton shows up and heads to the ring, and admits that while he is not the sentimental type, he will make an exception for London, England. He compares Cody now to when Cody was in his early 20s working to break into the business. He mentions that Cody was more frustrated than happy because he could not grow in a WWE, and that it took courage to leave WWE to strike out on his own, change the industry, and come back. Orton says Cody is the same guy, yet Cody did what he set out to do. Cody, who is about to break down into tears of accomplishment, gets the "Daddy Cool"-style chant, then Orton recalls Cody's return match in Hell in a Cell against Seth "Freakin'" Rollins and his subsequent accomplishments. Orton then says there is another story, as Cody is in charge of his legacy and business is bigger than ever because of him. He then says that he is very proud of Cody, but it is time for WrestleMania. Orton says he will kick Kevin Owens so hard in the head that he can feel it already, while Cody will enter and leave WrestleMania as champion before beating John Cena all over the Las Vegas strip. He then proclaims that after the smoke clears, he will want to go after his fifteenth world championship, but instead of kicking Cody in the balls like some coward, he will look him in the eyes, consider him an equal, and challenge for the title. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre shows up and calls Orton and Cody "a couple of nepo babies having a lovefest," which he says makes him sick, then asks Orton what he has done to justify getting a title match. He says more people talk about Orton being on the shelf for months upon months more than his World Heavyweight Championship match, then says Cody should have listened to him, but shunned and ignored him, and Cena proved him right. He says he should be in the main event, not Cena, but it is not because of Damian Priest. McIntyre then gets the "Seven Nation Army"-style chant as he says he will be the one to take the title at WrestleMania. He says that Kevin Owens might have a point and while Randy Orton looks great on the outside, his back is hanging by a thread on the inside, and he will break it if provoked. Cody punches McIntyre when McIntyre addresses him, and Orton goes for an RKO on McIntyre only for McIntyre to barely escape it.

Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre is official for later tonight.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) retain the WWE Tag Team Championships against Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince).

In backstage footage from earlier today, Zelina Vega, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter are met by Chelsea Green, Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Zelina does not take well to Chelsea cheating to beat her, and challenges Chelsea and company to a six-woman tag match.

It is announced that "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Bret "The Hit Man" Hart at WrestleMania 13 will be the first-ever match inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in the Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Paul Heyman is seen entering the arena, and so is Roman Reigns. Security soon shows up behind them.

The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven and Alba Fyre) beat Katana Chance and Kayden Carter following the distraction by Chelsea Green. After the match, The Secret Hervice go on the attack on Kayden again, then Zelina Vega runs towards the ring and makes the save only for Chelsea Green to get the jump on her. Chelsea goes for the Un-Pretty-Her, but Zelina breaks free. She goes for the Mexican Destroyer, but gets superkicked by Alba and flattened with a senton by Piper.

Singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi and UFC welterweight fighter Oban Elliott are seen in the crowd.

LA Knight retains the WWE United States Championship against Braun Strowman after Strowman is suddenly attacked by Jacob Fatu. After the match, Jacob Fatu hits Strowman with a Samoan Drop on the announce table. As Jacob Fatu is about to hit Strowman with a hip attack in the corner back in the ring, Knight fights Jacob, but Jacob hits him with a pop-up Samoan Drop before Jacob hits Strowman with the hip attack twice. He hits the hip attack one more time, then runs to the corner and hits Strowman with two top rope moonsaults.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Jimmy Uso. Jimmy says he would slap Gunther again and that he will keep doing it if he needs to, as Gunther is in "Main Event" Jey Uso's head. He says Gunther is not unbeatable, and that he will beat Gunther on Raw before Jey beats him at WrestleMania. On the way out, Jimmy Uso run into The Miz and Carmelo Hayes mocking him. The Miz says that Jimmy is trying to be a tough guy but is just "the other Uso" and that he and Jey are blips on the radar while Gunther will win. He also says that if Jimmy were to slap him, he would not be walking away. Jimmy goes for a slap but stops when Miz cowers, then Jimmy says he will get a match between the two of them from General Manager Nick Aldis.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu is confronted by Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga for going on the attack earlier tonight. Jacob says he does not have to explain himself, and Solo warns Jacob to watch his tone of voice before Jacob says he will be the last man standing against Braun Strowman and that he is taking the United States Championship home with or without them.

We hear from Naomi. She says she always does the right thing, and that attacking Jade Cargill was no different from doing that. She says that after all she has done and sacrificed, she happens to be the bad person in the situation. She asks how Jade comes in out of nowhere and takes her place with Bianca and wants Bianca to ask herself who inspired her over the last decade and always had her back since day one. Naomi says that one teaches others how to be treated, and that she is done being treated as a third wheel and being too nice, set aside and underappreciated, and moving forward, if Bianca continues to be in her way, she should proceed with caution.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with Jade Cargill, who says that it is "on sight" if she sees Naomi. As she leaves, she runs into Michin and B-Fab, who know that Jade will take care of business as Naomi deserves everything coming to her.

We see the image of smoke as well as a brief image of a snake.

Before the next match, Michin and B-Fab are suddenly attacked by Naomi. As this attack goes on, Jade Cargill runs to their aid and chases Naomi away before helping B-Fab to the back. The next match then begins.

Charlotte Flair beats "Michin" Mia Yim by submission with the Figure Eight.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany says Charlotte Flair loves to her herself talk and barely let her get a word out, then says that Charlotte Flair has more to lose in their match at WrestleMania, as she will just lose a title while Charlotte will lose to someone she looks down on. She says that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and hopes Charlotte's massive ego will stay there when Charlotte loses.

Drew McIntyre beats Randy Orton following the distraction by Kevin Owens. After the match, Owens drags Orton out of the ring and onto the announce table. He goes for a powerbomb, but Orton slips out and trips Owens. Orton then goes for the punt, but Owens jumps over the barricade while security stops Orton from chasing after him.

We see another orange-tinted vignette of what looks like a Mexican luchador. We then find out the luchador is none other than Rey Fenix, who debuts next week.

Jimmy Uso beats The Miz. After the match, Jimmy Uso gets on a headset and tells Gunther he is coming after him on Raw.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre meets with Lewis Capaldi, then takes an interview from Jackie Redmond, saying that he does not care about anybody else's business and that nobody screws him over. He then heads out to the pub, but gets beaten up by Damian Priest. When Priest headbutts McIntyre into the back of a BMW convertible, the driver comes out of the car to object to this only for Priest to toss him around. McIntyre strikes back, but Priest takes McIntyre South of Heaven into the front windshield.

CM Punk is heading to the ring with security guards behind him when he sees Drew McIntyre down on the hood of the convertible and simply laughs at him.

General Manager Nick Aldis is in the ring to oversee the contract signing for Seth "Freakin'" Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are the first to show up, with security behind them. Roman gets the "Daddy Cool"-style chant before he demands that the crowd acknowledge him. Heyman wipes down a chair for Roman after placing it at the head of the table. Roman admires the "Daddy Cool"-style chants, calling them beautiful, and even lets Heyman join in on the microphone before saying he is here for two reasons: to be acknowledged and to sign the contract, which he does. Shortly after Roman signs the contract, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins shows up, with security also behind him. Shortly after Roman signs the contract, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins shows up, with security also behind him. Rollins also takes a seat, and Heyman does not partake in the sing-along for Rollins' entrance theme. Rollins talks about his history with Roman in London, England when they were both part of The Shield and beating The Undertaker, and while a lot has happened in the last twelve years, he and Roman have accomplished their mission to change the industry. Roman says "we" died a long time ago, and it is just "me." He says Rollins has been here, but he has made WWE what it is today and took them both to the level they are at today and left WWE better than he found it. Rollins says the "me" mindset is why he has to keep screwing Roman, especially after he let "the snake" CM Punk back in the garden, and when he could have cut his head off, he shook his hand, and he has to clean up his mess again like he always does. Rollins signs the contract, then CM Punk shows and heads to the ring. He, too, has security guards behind him. Punk says he has come here to chew bubble gum and sign a contract, and he is all out of bubble gum. He takes the remaining seat and browses the contract. Roman gets impatient and tells him to read "Page 4, Clause 5." Roman tells Heyman to smarten Punk up, and Heyman says to Punk "I know what you're looking for, and it's in there...you're closing the show at WrestleMania." He then tells Punk that he gets to live his dream of main eventing WrestleMania. Roman loves the sound of this, and Rollins tells Punk to take the tears out of his eyes as he furiously states that Punk does not deserve it. He considers the main event sacred and blames Roman and Punk for this and throws his microphone down. CM Punk thanks the world and the fans who stood by him and chanted his name for ten long years before starting a hole at Rollins, and Roman tells Punk he should be thanking him, as he is in the main event because of him. Roman demands a thank you and an acknowledgement to end everything in what he deems "the right way," and Punk thanks Roman and acknowledges him for the WrestleMania main event and says he will see him in the main event of WrestleMania. Punk signs the contract, then says that this is not the favor he is owed. The show then fades to black.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!