Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing May 2, 2025, promises an action-packed night live from the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The show sees Melo Don’t Miz’s The Miz take on Aleister Black in a Singles Match. Plus, “The Viper” Randy Orton will appear ahead of his Backlash match With Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena.
The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on the USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
The show opens up with Joe Tessitore welcoming us. We then see “The Viper” Randy Orton, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Damian Priest, The Miz and Carmelo Hayes walking backstage. Priest runs into Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu and confronts them. A yelling match then ensues as LA Knight walks past them all and makes his way down to the ring.
Knight starts off by saying he wants to talk to the fans, then says a week ago he stepped in the ring wanting his rematch for the United States Championship only to find out he would instead receive a #1 Contender’s match and lose thanks to Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Damian Priest. Priest’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Priest explains to Knight that his interference last week had nothing to do with Knight, but with Drew McIntyre after all the personal issues they have had. Knight then says he gets that, but he still lost his #1 Contender’s match because of him. Priest then defends himself and says Sikoa was the one to interfere and all he did was keep Knight from getting hit with a Claymore Kick. Both men then continue arguing with one another, with Priest saying all of Knight’s frustrations are his fault. He then challenges Knight to a match and Knight accepts. A referee then makes his way down to the ring.
The match starts off with both men wasting no time in going after each other and locking up. Knight then works on Priest with a series of strikes before Priest fights back and slams Knight. Priest then kicks Knight in the chin and get a two count out of it. Priest then sets up for Old School, but Knight pulls Priest off the top and hits a back suplex. Knight then follows it up with a bunch of punches and a flying clothesline. Knight then hits a jumping neck-breaker and a Russian Leg Sweep on Priest for a two count.
Priest then punches Knight, but Knight slams Priest. Knight then goes for an elbow drop, but Priest catches him and goes for a South Of Heaven. Knight then escapes and Priest clotheslines him for a near fall. Priest then lifts Knight for a Razor’s Edge, but Knight escapes and hits a DDT on Priest. Knight then goes to the second rope and hit his jump-up elbow on Priest from the top for a two count.
Knight then sends Priest crashing into the turnbuckle face first, but Priest sends Knight crashing into the barricade on the outside. Knight then sends Priest’s face bouncing off the announce desk, then hits an elbow drop on Priest as he is draped across the ring apron, then sends him inside the ring and goes for a pin, but Priest kicks out.
Priest then hits a Razor’s Edge on Knight and goes for a pin, but Knight kicks out. Priest then hits a Broken Arrow on Knight and climbs up the ropes, but Knight joins him up there and hits a superplex on Priest. Knight then clotheslines Priest out of the ring, but Priest hits a flatliner on Knight on the apron. Solo Sikoa then appears out of nowhere and attacks Priest, causing the disqualification.
The winner of the Singles Match due to a disqualification, Damian Priest!
After the match, Sikoa sends Priest crashing into the barricade and sets up for the Samoan Spike on Knight. Priest then attacks Sikoa from behind and Knight hits a BFT on him. Priest and Knight then briefly stare each other down, but Priest looks to send Sikoa crashing through the announce desk. Jacob Fatu then appears out of nowhere and sends Knight crashing over the announce desk, then sends Priest crashing into the barricade.
We then head to the back, where Byron Saxton is interviewing Fraxiom. Frazer says they are excited and they plan on flipping the SmackDown tag division upside down. Pretty Deadly then shows up and Saxton leaves. Wilson tells them the SmackDown tag division is the hungriest tag division. Prince then says he enjoys having new European blood on SmackDown and follows that up by saying opportunities on SmackDown are earned and not given. Pretty Deadly then says they wanted to see how good Fraxiom actually is and talks to Nick Aldis as a means to book a match. Pretty Deadly’s music then hits and they make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night.
Fraxiom then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night.
The match starts off with Kit Wilson and Axiom. Axiom hits a dropkick on Wilson. Frazer then tags in and Wilson hits a Hip Toss on Frazer, then tags in Elton Prince. Prince then delivers some stomps on Frazer, but Axiom tags back in and double teams on Prince with Frazer. Wilson then gets in the ring, but Frazer and Axiom take him down. They then fly through opposite sides of the ring to hit the Dive Train on Wilson and Prince. Axiom then looks to fly off the middle rope, but Prince catches him and tags in Wilson. Pretty Deadly then double teams on Axiom.
Axiom then chops Wilson. Frazer then gets the hot tag and hits a dropkick on both Wilson and Prince. Frazer then hits a springboard DDT and a running Shooting Star Press. Pretty Deadly then takes control back and Wilson tags in. Wilson then powerbombs Frazer for a two. count. Wilson and Frazer then trade elbows until Frazer places Wilson on the top rope. Axiom then hits a Spanish Fly and Frazer follows it up with a Phoenix Splash for the win.
The winners of the Tag Team Match, Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom)!
We then see B-Fab and Michin talking to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis in his office, but Chelsea Green shows up with Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Green says last week’s loss was because of collusion. Niven then calls Green an American hero. Aldis tries to walk away, but Green bargains with Aldis for a rematch. Aldis then says Zelina Vega will face Piper Niven tonight. Aldis then says if Niven wins she will be the No. 1 contender for Vega’s U.S. Title.
We then get a video package chronicling the history between John Cena and Randy Orton.
Nia Jax then makes her way down to the ring. Jax starts off by saying while she was gone, she was at home getting refocused and regrouping to take back what’s hers: the WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffany Stratton’s music then hits and she makes her way down to the ring. Stratton tells Jax that she is not the same girl Jax used to bully around and cashing in her Women’s Money In The Bank contract on Jax was the best thing she has ever done. Stratton then says she went on to beat Charlotte Flair and she will do the same to Jax if she ever challenges for the title again. Stratton then offers to defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Jax at any time and any place.
Naomi’s music then hits and she makes her way down to the ring. Naomi says Jax and Stratton made her life hell and while Stratton may say she has changed, Stratton hasn’t changed in the same way she has. Naomi then says she took matters into her own hands and while Jade Cargill may have ruined everything she worked for, she is not done going after gold. Cargill’s music then hits and she storms down to the ring. Cargill then brawls with Naomi as Jax and Stratton brawl with one another. Nick Aldis then comes down to the ring and makes a tag team match pitting Stratton and Cargill against Naomi and Jax.
Joe Tessitore then sets up highlights of last week’s situation between The Miz and Aleister Black. We then head to the back, where Carmelo Hayes is hyping up The Miz and tells Miz he will show everyone tonight. Miz then rambles about how he deserves more respect than he receives. Miz then says Black didn’t knock him out last week, he woke Miz up. Miz then says Black might want to make a statement, but instead Black will be part of Miz’s statement.
The Miz and Carmelo Hayes then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Aleister Black follows.
The match starts off with both men wasting no time in going after each other and locking up. Miz then runs at Black and nearly gets hits with a Black Mass, but Miz retreats. Both men then back and forth until Black catches Miz as Miz goes for a kick. Black then places The Miz’s foot back on the canvas and Miz hits Black. Black then does his springboard moonsault into his sitting position spot. Miz is on the outside and Black reaches for The Miz, but is distracted by Hayes. Miz then capitalizes and slams Black’s head into the bottom-ring LED board.
Miz then goes for a springboard move, but Black moves out of the way. Miz then pushes Black to the outside. Miz then leaps at Black from the ring steps and gets hit with a knee by Black. Black then goes to work on Miz, then hits him with body strikes and a springboard moonsault for a very near fall. Miz then responds and kicks Black’s knee before hitting a DDT for a two count.
Miz then hits some Miz Kicks on Black and Black laughs. Black then hits a spinning elbow and a knee on the jaw of Miz. Miz then goes for a Skull Crushing Finale, but Black cartwheels out of it.. Black then hits a knee on Miz’s face. Carmelo then threatens to get involved and Miz rolls up Black. Black then hits a Black Mass on Miz for the win.
The winner of the Singles Match, Aleister Black!
After the match, Carmelo and Black goes face to face in the middle of the ring. Carmelo then slowly exits the ring and walks away as Black sits in the center of the ring.
We then see Santos Escobar talking with Rey Fenix in the locker room. Escobar says Fenix disappointed him at WrestleMania because he lost to a clown. Escobar then says Fenix blew his chance and now that Rey Mysterio is out with an injury Escobar wants to take his place. Fenix then cuts Escobar off and tells him to stay out of his business. Fenix then says there is only one luchador he trusts and it’s not Escobar. Fenix then says if Escobar has a problem he will see him in the ring later tonight.
Zelina Vega then makes her way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Piper Niven, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre follow.
The match starts off with Zelina Vega having control early and stretching Niven, who goes for a splash and misses. Vega then kicks Niven several times. Vega then hits a knee on Niven and gets a one count out. Vega then runs at Niven, but Niven shoulder-blocks Vega to the canvas. Vega then rolls to the outside and rolls back inside, where Niven lifts Vega. Both women then struggle before Niven sends Vega face-first down to the mat. Niven then rams Vega’s head into the bottom turnbuckle.
Niven has complete control in the match. Niven then lifts Vega, but Vega counters with A Codebreaker. Niven then comes right back with a slam and a running Senton for a two count. Niven then runs at Vega, but Vega moves and goes to the top, where Niven slaps Vega. Niven then goes for a super-plex, but Vega escapes and hits a Meteora on Niven for a two count. Vega then goes for a Code Red, but Niven stops it and hits a side-slam on Vega.
Niven then runs at Vega and Vega moves. Niven then lifts Vega, but Vega hits a DDT on Niven. Vega then goes to the top and hits a moonsault on Niven from the top rope for a near fall. Vega then goes for a Code Red again, but Niven stops it. Niven then goes a powerbomb, but Vega goes for a 619. Chelsea Green then hops on the apron to stop Vega and Niven runs at Vega, but Vega moves and Niven runs into Green. Vega then rolls up Niven for the win.
The winner of the Non-Title Match, WWE Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega!
We then see SmackDown General Manger Nick Aldis speaking to Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu in his office. Sikoa says Fatu is telling everyone they better stay out of his way. Aldis then says at Backlash Fatu will defend his U.S. Title against Priest and Knight. Sikoa then says McIntyre is technically the No. 1 contender after last week. Aldis then says Sikoa is right and because of that McIntyre will be added to the match and it will be a Fatal 4-Way. Fatu then says he’s all gas and no breaks and he was fine with it. Sikoa the says Aldis is trying to screw Fatu over, but Aldis tells Sikoa it was actually him who is screwing Fatu over.
“The Viper” Randy Orton’s music then hits and Orton makes his way down to the ring. Orton then plays to the crowd and grabs a mic. Orton starts off by saying he knew they are already two hours into the show, but Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown. Orton then says John Cena and the crowd boos. Orton then says while the world couldn’t see Cena he can. Orton then says it took about 20 years for everyone to realize what kind of man Cena is, but he knew from day one. Orton then calls Cena entitled and says Cena is the ultimate shiny new toy to be played with by the ultimate puppet master. Orton then says Cena took advantage of the PG Era. Orton then says Cena is willing to be a real life, walking, talking cartoon character. Orton then says he is true to who he was.
Orton then says Cena doesn’t care about the boys in the back or the fans as all Cena cares about is his bottom line. Orton then says Cena only cares about the new merch Cena puts out all the time because all the kids always go and grab it up. Orton then brings up the kids thing again and says the only thing Cena has raised is the price of his merchandise, which parents have had to work a double to afford. Orton then says Cena has been selling his soul for 20 years.
Orton then asks what happened to loyalty and respect when it comes to Cena. Orton then recalls how Cena said he will erase the Orton name from the pro wrestling business. Orton then says Cena will not do that over his dead freakin’ body. Orton then says Cena is the latest legend that he will have to put down and he will do so at Backlash in his hometown in front of his wife, friends and family. Orton then says he will punt Cena so hard in that lego-shaped head that it will fly through the Gateway Arch. Orton then says he will also drop Cena with an RKO. Orton then drops the microphone and Orton’s music hit to end the segment.
We then see Naomi in her locker room and Nia Jax walks in. Jax says they need to be on the same page and as long as Naomi stays out of her way they will be good. Naomi then says sure and walks away.
Randy Orton is then shown walking backstage and he runs into R-Truth. Truth says Orton has no chance at Backlash. Jimmy Uso then shows up and tells Orton not to be too mad about Truth’s prediction. Jimmy then tells Truth if he keeps talking like this Orton will kick his head off. Jimmy then tells Truth he needed to stop believing in Cena as Truth walks away.
Rey Fenix then makes his way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Santos Escobar follows.
The match starts off with both men locking up. Escobar then takes Fenix down, but Fenix works his way back. Fenix then chops Escobar. Escobar then returns the favor and both men trade chest chops back and forth until Fenix goes to the ground. Escobar then yells at Fenix that they could rule the place together and Fenix responds with a chop on Escobar’s chest. Fenix then pushes Escobar to the canvas.
Fenix then sets up for his double springboard arm-drag, but Escobar cuts him off. Escobar then runs at Fenix, but Fenix moves and Escobar spills to the outside. Fenix then follows Escobar and Escobar sends Fenix into the side of the ring. Escobar then returns to the ring and hits a dive through the top two ropes onto Fenix on the outside. Escobar then celebrates a bit. The match then returns to the inside.
Escobar then hits a splash onto Fenix from the apron into the ring. Escobar then stretches Fenix. Escobar then jumps at Fenix in a corner and Fenix moves. Fenix then hits a springboard top-rope moonsault on Escobar for a two count. Fenix then follows it up with a spinning kick for another two count. Fenix then grabs a knee from Escobar, but pops right back up and kicks Escobar. Both guys then go down.
Fenix then jumps at Escobar, but Escobar catches Fenix and both men fought in a corner until Fenix comes off the top and lands on Escobar’s knee. Escobar then follows it up with double knees in the corner. Escobar then lifts Fenix, but Fenix works his way out it and runs the top rope to kick Escobar’s head. Fenix then hits the top rope Meteora on Escobar for the win.
The winner of the Singles Match, Rey Fenix!
We then see Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill talking backstage and Byron Saxton walks in. Stratton says Jax will have to learn that her title belongs around her. Cargill then says she is focusing on Naomi, but next week on SmackDown she will take on Jax in a No. 1 Contender’s match for Tiffany’s title.
Commentary then hypes the main event and say they will look back at last week’s TLC match next. We then get a video package recapping The Street Profits beating #DIY and The Motor City Machine Guns in a TLC Match to retain their WWE Tag Team Titles.
Santos Escobar is then shown backstage yelling at Berto and Angel. Andrade then shows up and says he knows Escobar doesn’t care about Los Garza. Andrade then says he doesn’t like Escobar and Escobar doesn’t have respect for Los Garza. Angel is then taken away by Escobar, but Berto stays behind and shares a moment with Andrade before he is whisked away by Escobar.
It is then announced that next week’s show will see John Cena appear, LA Knight and Damian Priest teaming up to face Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa and Jade Cargill and Nia Jax will face each other to determine the No. 1 Contender for Tiffany’s title.
Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton then make their way down to the ring for the main event of the night and Nia Jax and Naomi follow.
The match starts off with all four women wasting no time in going after each other and brawling. Tiffany then splits off with Jax and Cargill splits off with Naomi. Tiffany then sends Jax into the ring steps. Jax then sends Tiffany into the barrier. Cargill then sends Naomi to the outside. Cargill then sends Naomi into a ring post and rolls Naomi back into the ring. Naomi then kicks Cargill in the midsection. Naomi then works over Cargill’s arm and hits her with the back-rake. Naomi then kicks Cargill in the back and jaws at Cargill. Jax then tags herself in and bulldozes Cargill before knocking Tiffany off the apron. Jax then mocks Cargill’s pose in the middle of the ring.
Naomi then tags in and delivers some right hands on Cargill, then sends Cargill crashing into the mat with a flatliner. Stratton then tags in and delivers some clotheslines on Jax, then follows it up with a handspring back elbow and a Crucifix Bomb. She then climbs to the top, but Jax intercepts Stratton and gets Stratton on her shoulders. She then hits a Samoan Drop and a leg drop, but Naomi tags herself in. Jax then gets in Naomi’s face, but Naomi looks to hits a split legged moonsault on Stratton. Stratton then gets her knees up.
Cargill then tags in and nails Naomi with a couple of back elbows, then sends Naomi crashing into the mat and hits a splash on her in the corner. She then follows it up with a chokeslam and goes for a pin, but Jax breaks the fall. Stratton then hits a splash on both Stratton and Naomi in the corner, but Cargill hits a powerbomb on Jax for the win.
The winners of the Tag Team Match, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill!
After the match, Cargill finds herself holding the WWE Women’s Championship. Stratton then calls for Cargill to give it back to her, but Naomi nails Cargill from behind and stands tall above her, holding up the WWE Women’s Championship as the show comes to a close.