SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MAY 9, 2025
DAYTON, OHIO AT NUTTER CENTER
AIRED ON LIVE ON USA NETWORK AND LIVE ON NETFLIX INTERNATIONALLY
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 9,879 tickets were distributed so far; it was set up for 10,197. The arena has a capacity of 11,200 spectators when configured for concerts.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
LIVE ON YOUTUBE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with Byron Saxton approaching Damien Priest backstage about being part of a Fatal Four-way at Backlash. Priest said he’s mostly focused on getting his hands on Drew McIntyre, but he’s happy to have a chance at the U.S. Title also. L.A. Knight barged in and said he is going to win the U.S. Title back, not Priest. They bickered about whether they could trust each other tonight in the tag match. Knight vowed to have his back tonight. He then headed right through Gorilla position to the ring as his music played. Priest’s ring entrance took place next.
-They cut to Jade Cargill arriving outside the arena. She threw a water bottle at a trailer with an image of Naomi. Then they showed Nia Jax exiting an elevator as Joe Tessitore promoted their singles match later.
(1) L.A. KNIGHT & DAMIEN PRIEST vs. JACOB FATU & SOLO SIKOA
Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu made their entrance next. Priest and Knight debated who would start the match. Solo hit them. The ref called for the bell 8 minutes into the show. Wade Barrett said he had confidence Knight and Priest would be professional enough to work together, but it appeared he overestimated their maturity. Priest was having words with Fatu at ringside when Knight landed a slidekick under the bottom rope to knock Jacob down. Priest and Knight then had some heated words about the U.S. Title as they cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
They showed that during the break, Fatu caught Priest at ringside with a running elbow to the chest. Knight eventually got the hot-tag and he met Fatu center-ring and exchanged wild swings. When Knight set up his jump-up elbow, Priest tagged himself in. Priest took Fatu down with a running clothesline, then lowered his straps. Knight tagged himself in. Priest put his hands on his hips and they argued. Solo knocked Knight into Priest. Solo then gave a Knight a superkick and went for a Solo Spike, but Knight ducked and landed the BFT for the win.
WINNERS: Knight & Priest in 10:00.
-After the match, Priest swung Knight around and shoved him. Knight shoved him back. Priest punched Knight. Knight returned fire. Fatu jumped both of them. The scene ended with Fatu holding up the U.S. Title belt as fans loudly chanted “Fatu! Fatu!” Fatu licked the belt. McIntyre then attacked Fatu with a Claymore mid-ring. He then picked up the belt and held it in the air to a mixed response.
-R-Truth was outside the arena holding up a “Let’s Go Cena!” sign and chanting. Jimmy Uso told Truth, “Cena sucks, though.” Truth said Cena said he would never give up and then something inaudible. Jimmy turned and walked into the arena as Truth continued to chant.
-Tessitore said Cena would speak later on the show. [c]
-The announcers commented on the previous segment.
-Saxton interviewed McIntyre. He said he is putting a silver bullet in Fatu. He said he already beat Knight to become the no. 1 contender. He said Knight shouldn’t be in this match because he lost at WrestleMania. He complained about Priest being in the match, too. He said he beat Priest fair and square, and he cannot succeed at anything that doesn’t involve him. He said he wants to face Fatu because Fatu is the baddest dog in the yard now. He said when you’re all gas and no breaks, you eventually hit a brick wall, and that wall is him.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside who commented on last week’s Zelina Vega win over Piper Niven.
-Backstage, Chelsea Green was having a ceremony in a dark room in front of candles with Niven and Alba Fyre to recover emotionally from what happened last week when Nick Aldis and Vega turned on the lights. When Green said she wouldn’t understand what they were doing because she has no girlfriends, Vega said she would prove them wrong in a tag match later by showing she had at least one friend who would tag with her.
-Green, Niven, and Fyre made their entrance. [c]
-An Aleister Black vignette aired. He said everyone expects him to speak in riddles, but he buried that part of himself ritualistically, violently. He said he came back with the truth the company desperately needs. He said this is more than good versus evil. He said he is there to confront Carmelo Hayes and Miz both physically and psychologically. He said they can decide which is worse. He said he hasn’t quite figured out Hayes, “or have I?”
(2) CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN (w/Alba Fyre) vs. ZELINA VEGA & ALEXA BLISS
Vega made her entrance next. Then Alexa Bliss came out as her surprise friend and tag partner. Tessitore said Bliss is in her home state. Barrett said they don’t know much about her goals and motivations. He said she made her return at the Elimination Chamber. The bell rang 40 minutes into the hour. Tessitore noted Green’s reaction when Bliss was revealed as the partner. They cut to a break at 2:00 with the heels in control. [c]
Vega hot-tagged in Bliss at 6:00. Bliss hung Green upside down in the corner and then dropkicked her. She followed with Twisted Bliss. Niven broke up the cover during the ref’s count. Vega gave Niven a Code Red with help from Bliss. Vega leaped off the ring apron onto Niven with a Meteora. Liv then gave Green her Sister Abigail finisher for the win.
WINNER: Bliss & Vega in 8:00.
-Backstage they were filming Rey Fenix walking when Santos Escobar confronted him. He told Rey he knows he beat him, but he has just one thing to say and then he’ll leave him alone. At that point, Humberto and Angel attacked Fenix. WWE officials ran in and ordered them to stop and leave the scene.
-They showed a black SUV arriving. Charlotte Flair exited. [c]
-A video package aired on the Randy Orton and John Cena rivalry.
-Charlotte made her way to the ring. Tessitore said Charlotte has been working hard in the gym and making celebrity headlines by attending NBA playoff games “and now she’s ready to reset her course with us here on Smackdown.” Barrett said there is no denying she represents the pinnacle of the meritocracy in this industry. He said she is, bell to bell, one of the greatest ever. “The greats will always bounce back,” he said.
Charlotte said, “Dayton, Ohio, your queen has arrived.” She said she is coming off the greatest women’s match in WrestleMania history. She tripped over her words and then said she wanted to give credit where it was due. She said she was out for nearly two years with “a career-ending knee injury” and she took “your champion to her absolute limit.” She showed a photo of Tiffany looking beaten up and battered. She asked if that looked like someone who enjoyed her WrestleMania moment. She declared she is aiming for the WWE Women’s Championship.
She demanded to know why the booing fans were so disrespectful to her. “I am the GOAT of women’s wrestling! I am the greatest of all-time!” she insisted. She said if they keep being disrespectful, she’ll leave Dayton and never come back. She gave them one more chance and fans kept booing. She threw down the mic and left. Barrett said Dayton doesn’t deserve the queen.
[HOUR TWO]
As Charlotte left, they played Jade Cargill’s music and she walked out and past Charlotte. Barrett said it was a show of disrespect to Charlotte to walk out before Charlotte had left. [c]
-Tessitore plugged Money in the Bank.
-Aldis confronted Charlotte for “walking out.” Charlotte said she was just leaving. He told her not to have temper tantrums when things don’t go her way. Alexa Bliss blocked her from entering her SUV to leave. “Let’s chat,” she said.
(3) JADE CARGILL vs. NIA JAX – No. 1 Contendership for Women’s World Title
Jax made her entrance. As the ref was about to signal for the bell, Tiffany Stratton’s music played and she walked out. She sat at ringside. The bell rang 10 minutes into the hour. Jax took early control, but Jade fought back and leapfrogged her and then shoulder tackled her. She pounded the mat in celebration and then tried to lift Jade. Jax blocked her and gave Jade a quick Samoan Drop. Jax landed a legdrop for a two count. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Jade gave Jax a Samoan Drop after the break. Jax made a comeback and landed a powerbomb for a two count. Jade slammed Jax off the second rope and then leaped off the top rope with a frog splash for a near fall at 9:00. Jax made a comeback, but it was cut short by a Jade punt kick for a two count. The crowd roared as Naomi attacked Tiffany at ringside. Jade turned to look down at Naomi. Jax hit Jade from behind and landed a senton and then an Annihilator for the win.
WINNER: Jax in 10:00.
-Backstage, B-Fab and Michin were touting The Street Profits role in the TLC match. Montez Ford said they never lie. He said they’re going to put everyone on notice tonight just like they did last week. [c]
-The Profits made their entrance. Ford said they put on best TLC match ever. He joked about using a prosthetic leg as a weapon and said “we have a leg up on the competition.” He did some rhymes and said as always, the Profits came out on top. They were interrupted by Fraxiom. They asked for a title match against the Profits. Angelo Dawkins asked if they were serious. Ford said they’ve only been around three weeks. Aldis interrupted and said he likes what he’s seeing. He said they are new and they haven’t proven themselves worthy of a title shot yet, but they’ve been extremely impressive so far. He said they are in the land of opportunity and he is booking a non-title match now. Barrett said the Profits aren’t even healthy after the TLC match. Ford pointed to his taped ribs. [c]
(4) THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. FRAXIOM (Nathan Frasier & Axiom) – Non-Title match
The match was joined in progress after the break, 38 minutes into hour two. At 2:00, Ford winced and reached for his ribs after some offense against Frasier. Axiom dove through the ropes and knocked Ford into the ringside barricade. They cut to a double-box break at 5:00. [c/db]
Frasier took control and set up a superplex on Ford. Dawkins tagged himself in and the Profits landed a Super Doomsday Blockbuster. Axiom interrupted the cover. Axiom kicked Ford mid-air in the ribs. Frasier dove through the ropes, but Dawkins punched him out of mid-air. He then climbed to the top rope, but Frasier knocked him off balance. Axiom landed a Spanish Fly on Dawkins, and then Frasier landed a top rope Phoenix Splash. Ford broke up the cover 12:00.
Dawkins landed a spinebuster on Axiom. Axiom then hit Dawkins with the Golden Ratio, a leaping kick to the jaw. Ford kicked Frasier, then climbed to the top rope. Axiom delayed him, but Ford still leaped. Frasier moved and hot-tagged in Axiom who landed a leaping dropkick with a leg sweep by Frasier (Catapult Infernal) for the three count on Ford.
WINNERS: Fraxiom in 14:00.
-After the match, the Profits shook their hands and hugged them in an apparent show of respect. They raised their arms. Tessitore said it was a damaged version of the Profits, “but that was a war.” Barrett said they’ll be coming for the gold.
-Tiffany backstage was yelling for Naomi. Jax approached her and said she should worry about her because she just beat Jade to earn a match against her. Tiffany said after she beats her, she’ll be sure there’s space for her at the losers’s table next to Charlotte.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside who talked about Pat McAfee’s match against Gunther. Tessitore said he’s a loyal and selfless as a friend, and as a result he’s going to face Gunther.
-A video package aired on the McAfee-Gunther build.
[HOUR THREE]
-Miz gave Carmelo a pep talk backstage. [c]
(5) ALEISTER BLACK vs. CARMELO HAYES (w/The Miz)
The bell rang 8 minutes into the hour. Black threw some strikes and knocked Hayes to the floor. He leaped off the top rope and backflipped into Hayes. He clutched his ribs briefly and then reset the count. He went for a kick at ringside, but Hayes moved. Hayes dropkicked him into the timekeeper area. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c]
Back from the break, Black landed a leaping kick to Hayes and then landed a leaping kneestrike to his jaw. Both were down and slow to get up. At 6:00, Black swept Hayes’s legs and kneed him in the head. He springboarded off the second rope with a flip bodypress for a two count. Miz appeared distressed at ringside. Hayes scored a sudden two count with a small package. He followed up with a sidekick and a faceplant. Black countered with a quick brainbuster. Miz jumped onto the ring apron as Black was about to give Hayes his Black Mass. Black walked over to Miz. Hayes knocked Black into Miz, knocking him off the ring apron. Black then schoolboyed Hayes for the win.
WINNER: Black in 9:00.
-Miz ran into the ring after the pin. Black gave him Black Mass. Miz went down hard. Black sat cross-legged in the aisle as Hayes stood and stared down at him.
-Solo told Fatu they are all out of soldiers so they need to figure something out. Fatu yelled that he’ll be fine as he’ll be dog walking his opponents. “That’s the only play that I’ve got to run because I’m all gas, no brakes,” he closed with. He asked Solo if he knows what he means. Solo said, “Alright.”
-Legado del Fantasma made their entrance. [c]
-They showed three fans in the front row with t-shirts that individually said “John” “Cena” “Sucks.” They showed some fan signs in the crowd.
-Backstage, Fraxiom were celebrating their win when they bumped into the Motor City Machine Guns who gave them friendly congratulations and said they’ll eventually face them if they win the tag titles. DIY attacked both teams. Tomasso Ciampa said they took advantage of two guys who were battered from TLC and only l0w-lifes would do that.
(6) ANGELO GARZA & HUMBERTO GARZA (w/Santos Escobar) vs. ANDRADE & REY FENIX
The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Late in the match, Andrade hot-tagged in and delivered a Judas Effect to Angel. Fenix then walked the top rope and kicked Humberto in the head. Fenix followed with a leap over the top rope onto Angel. Andrade then finished Humberto in the ring and scored a three count. Barrett said the distraction from Escobar cost his men the win.
WINNERS: Andrade & Fenix in 10:00.
-When Angel consoled Humberto afterward, Santos aggressively pulled Angel off of him and then yelled at Humberto. Humberto slapped Santos who was fuming at him in response. Humberto turned and left. Angel looked conflicted as he stared at Santos. Barrett said the results haven’t been good and tempers are flaring.
-Tessitore and Barrett hyped the Backlash line-up. [c]
-John Cena made his ring entrance. Tessitore talked about the mean things Cena has said lately including telling a kid in the audience that his dad was a loser. Barrett said that was actually funny. Cena made Mark Nash introduce him with accolades. Cena said, “Tomorrow, your childhood dies.” He said Backlash is immensely important. He said they have 35 world championships between them and they are the two wrestlers who most define Ruthless Aggression. He said if you are a fan between the ages of 12 and 55, you have to choose sides. He said tomorrow is their final match and they only get to choose one final time. He said if you’re a fan between the ages of 3 and 11, your childhood would die too. He said he’ll prove life isn’t fair and winners write the history books and Randy Orton is a liar. He said Orton has lied to himself. He said he’d explain it in terms they understand.
He said Orton only has his job because of family and has never been held accountable for his many failures and he’s used his connections to protect him from accountability. He said he is the greatest of all time at wasting his potential. He said he, Cena, is the greatest of all time because he is Hustle.
He said Orton isn’t loyal to WWE, he just likes cashing WWE checks. He said Orton calls himself a piece of furniture. “He’s right; he’s a La-Z-Boy.” He said they are counting on Orton to take the title away from him. He said after 25 years of injuries, bad attitudes, and coasting his way to being over-celebrated and overpaid, you can’t count on him for anything other than doing the bare minimum.
He said regarding respect, they show him none. He said Orton has to remind everyone he’s a third generation Superstar. He said nobody knows Bob Orton Sr. and the only thing of note Bob Orton Jr. is known for is knocking up Orton’s mom, and the only thing Randy is known for is riding his coattails. He said all he does is use his mean streak and strength to remove names from wrestling that were barely relevant to begin with. He said tomorrow Randy kills the legend of Randy Orton. He said then he’ll be just like his 2006 drug test, a failure.
He said Orton is the greatest of all-time making a mockery of what a WWE Superstar should be. He said he, Cena, is the greatest of all-time “because I am respect.” He said tomorrow is a historic moment for WWE because he’ll make history again. “This is what a last real champion looks like.” A man in a black outfit and hood went after Cena, but Cena gave him an Attitude Adjustment. Cena stood tall and proud when the action Orton entered and gave Cena an RKO.
Orton stood over Cena as fans chanted, “Randy! Randy!” Tessitore asked, “How’s your La-Z-Boy now?” Orton picked up the WWE Title belt and kissed it.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Javier Machado to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
https://streamyard.com/4evtmgc2qd
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.