WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (6/13): Keller’s report on Cody vs. Priest vs. Andrade vs. Nakamura and Bliss vs. Green vs. LeRae vs. Charlotte in tournament matches, plus Cena, Fatu, Naomi

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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JUNE 13, 2025
LEXINGTON, KY. AT RUPP ARENA
AIRED ON LIVE ON USA NETWORK AND LIVE ON NETFLIX INTERNATIONALLY

Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Mark Nash

Attendance: 11,900 according to WWE during the show

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[HOUR ONE]

-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of Rupp Arena as fans were lined up to enter earlier, holding signs and cheering. He hyped the two men’s Fatal Four-ways and two women’s Fatal Four-ways to advance in the Queen of the Ring and King of the Ring tournaments. Then they showed Jacob Fatu arriving earlier, followed by Naomi walking while staring at her phone and then showing off her Money in the Bank briefcase.

-They went to Tessitore and Wade Barrett at ringside. They threw to a video package recapping Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank from last weekend.

-John Cena made his ring entrance as his theme played. He leaned on the ropes in the ring as fans booed. When his music stopped, a “Let’s Go Cena / Cena sucks!” chant rang out. “Wrestling’s Mount Rushmore,” he said. “It’s John Cena, John Cena, John Cena, John Cena.” He said there have been great wrestlers and great talkers, but no one in the past or present or future is even comparable to him. He said the reason they can’t outmaneuver him isn’t because he never gives up, it’s because he’s smarter than him. He said they all can’t see him but they want to be him. He said they are mesmerized by him. He said he is 1,000 steps ahead of them. He said he announced his retirement plans over year ago so he had six months to scout his likely opponents. He talked about the specifics of his journey, resembling a confession speech at the end of a murder mystery.

He said as they wasted their time trying to save R-Truth, he aligned with Logan Paul and bought himself enough time to size up C.M. Punk. “I used C.M. Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence to back him into a corner,” he said. He said if Punk tries to take his belt, he has to admit he’s a hypocrite.

He said Seth Rollins will never cash in on him holding that title. He said Seth wants him to retire with it, so that when he cashes in, he will be their only champion. “Do you get it now?” he said. “I am the greatest of all time for a reason.” He said as they’ve been busy writing false stories about whether he sold his soul, he puts the math in his favor and wins matches before they even start. He said he has solved every puzzle and cracked every code over 25 years. He said they won’t fully realize how good he is until three years after he is gone. He said this is the greatest night of their lives, but to him they are merely a mathematical equation. He said no one will be worthy to hold his title again. Cody Rhodes’s music then played.

Cody walked out, slapped hands, and entered the ring. He was wearing a custom Lexington Nightmare t-shirt and joggers. Cody told Cena he’s not just smart, he’s a genius. Fans booed. He said it’s unfortunate that everything he said has come to fruition. He said he absolutely is worthy of Mt. Rushmore. He said he didn’t account for the simple fact that this past Saturday he pinned him in that ring. “I’m not part of your plan; you’re part of mine,” Cena said “So, John Rushmore, where does that leave you and I?” Randy Orton’s music then played as Cena and Cody stared at each other.

As Orton walked out, Tessitore said they hadn’t seen Orton in over a month. Orton said he had Cena beaten in St. Louis and was about to remove his head from his shoulders until somebody decided to come and save the day. He said he doesn’t care who he has to go through to get another title reign. He told Cody he loves him like a brother, but if he has to put his ass down to get the belt, he won’t hesitate to do it. L.A. Knight’s music played.

Knight walked out. He said he knows what the fans want “and that’s me walking down here.” He said in the ring stands “the WWE establishment.” He said he’s the sore thumb and he likes it that way. He stepped up to the ring and said he has shots at all of them to take what is his. He said he can drop a Viper, a Nightmare, and “a genius balding bitch.” Cena smirked and left the ring. R-Truth attacked Cena from behind. He pounded away at Cena. Security pulled Truth off of Cena.

(Keller’s Analysis: The Cody promo was good, although begging for someone to point out his success is due to low blows, belt shots, and interference and he has nothing to be proud of, and that if he was once a candidate for MT. Rushmore, he is hurting his status through this cowardly, compromised run as champion.) [c]

-They replayed the Truth attack on Cena. Then they cut backstage to Cena who was yelling at Nick Aldis.

(1) CARMELO HAYES vs. L.A. KNIGHT vs. RANDY ORTON vs. ALEISTER BLACK – King of the Ring Tournament match

Orton and Knight were in the ring already. Hayes’s entrance then took place followed by Black’s. The bell rang 33 minutes into the hour. Black landed a moonsault press onto Hayes at ringside 90 seconds in the match and then they cut to a break. [c]

Hayes went on the attack on Black in the ring and then he landed a flip dive over the top rope and grazed the arms of Black. Knight then kicked him with a slidekick under the bottom rope. He rammed Hayes into the announce desk over and over. Orton went after Knight. Black went for a back elbow, but Orton blocked him and then dropped him on the table. Knight then hit Orton. Knight threw Hayes back into the ring. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” A minute later, Hayes made a comeback and landed a top rope splash on Knight. He made the cover, but Black broke up the cover at two.

Orton took control of the match and took out Black and then went after Hayes. He set up a draping DDT on Hayes. Black intervened, but Orton set up him up for a draping DDT too. Knight gave Orton a leaping neckbreaker, which led to a DDT of Hayes and Black at the same time. Knight covered Orton and scored a two count 14:00.

When Knight set up a leaping elbowdrop off the second rope, Bronson Reed yanked him down and across the top rope. Bron Breakker then entered and speared Knight. Hayes smiled and then leaped off the top rope, but Orton caught him mid-air with an RKO. Orton then covered Knight for a three count.

WINNER: Orton in 16:00 to advance to face Sami Zayn in the semi-finals.

(Keller’s Analysis: The action was good start to finish. This sets up future Knight vs. Breakker or Reed matches, of course. The Orton-Sami semi-final is a good one.)

-Backstage, Jacob Fatu said he’d be talking in the ring next. [c]

-A clip aired from last week of Solo Sikoa telling J.T. Matao on camera that Fatu is “all breaks, no brains.” They showed Fatu overhearing it live (as if that mattered, since Solo said it on camera in front of the world, so Fatu would have heard about it one way or another).

-Fatu made his entrance. Fans chanted “Fatu!” He took exception to Solo saying he wouldn’t be anything if not for him. He said that’s exactly why he had to send a message to Solo at MITB. He said now it’s just him against the world and he’s all gas, no breaks. Solo appeared on the big screen, mock clapping.

[HOUR TWO]

Solo asked Fatu if he is done getting everything off his chest. He told Fatu that he made the biggest mistake of his life at MITB. He said he can forgive him. He said a year ago when he came to see him, he wasn’t doing anything and nobody wants him until he brought him around. He said he put himself in position to succeed. “It was all because of me,” he said. He told Fatu that next week, he will stand in the ring, ready to take him back. He said he needs to hear four words: “I love you, Solo.” He said he brought him into the world and he can take him out.

-Piper Niven and Alba Fyre walked up to Aldis and they stuck a phone in his face where Chelesea Green said she couldn’t find Lexington, so she wanted her Queen match postponed until next week. He said Fyre will take her place. Green said she will filibuster. Aldis said he doesn’t care what she has to say. Niven and Fyre left and Aldis still had their phone. Zelina Vega walked in and turned down the volume. Zelina demanded to get her hands on Guilia. He said she isn’t there. She said she is the type who has to be feared because one sneak attack won’t stop her. She said she wants to confront her next week.

-Jade Cargill’s ring entrance took place. [c]

-A vignette aired with Paul Levesque standing on top of Allegiant Stadium hyping WrestleMania in Las Vegas, Nev. next year.

(2) NIA JAX vs. JADE CARGILL vs. MICHIN vs. PIPER NIVEN – Queen of the Ring Tournament match

Jax’s ring entrance took place. Niven and Michin were already in the ring. The bell rang 11 minutes into the hour. Niven landed a running senton on Michin at ringside.Jax and Jade battled in the ring, meanwhile. Niven entered the ring and landed a running senton on Jade. Niven and Jax attacked Jade, but Jade elbowed a charging Niven and then avoided a charging Jax. Jade landed a pump kick on Niven next. Jax yanekd Jade to ringside. Michin springboarded off the middle onto all three at ringside. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c]

Back from the break, Michin got in a rally. Jade and Niven took over against her. Jax landed a senton for a two count at 10:00. Niven and Jax threw Jade into the lap of Barrett. Jax then flipped the table lid on both of them and gave them double middle fingers. Michin gave an around the world DDT to Niven. Jax broke up the cover. Niven and Jax double-teamed Michin in the ring. Jax set up Michin for an Annihilator. When she landed it, Niven broke up the cover and then threw Jax into the ringpost at ringside. She followed by spearing her through the ringside barricade. Niven then landed her swing splash in the corner on Michin, but Jade intervened and landed Jaded on Niven for the win.

WINNER: Cargill in 13:00 to advance to face Roxanne Perez. [c]

-A clip aired of Cody Rhodes chatting with Damian Priest.

-Naomi made her ring entrance. She said it appears a lot of fans are surprised, shocked and stupid to see her holding the MITB briefcase. She said she took what she deserved. She said when she was trying to win the MITB match, Tiffany Stratton distracted her and tried to bash her in the head. She said “Too Nice Naomi” let it happen, but now she’s looking for payback. Tiffany’s music interrupted.

Tiffany walked to the ring and said Naomi talks a big game. She asked her to “just do it” and cash in now and take her title. She said she says she different, but she’s the same old Naomi. “All talk and no action,” Stratton said. “That’s why you never beat Nia Jax. But please, prove us all wrong.” Naomi asked, “Do I look stupid to you?” She said she’ll cash in when she least expected it. She said in the mean time, she’ll make her life a living hell. She said her time is almost up and she strongly advised her to proceed with caution. Naomi cackled as she left the ring and Tiffany raised her title in the air center-ring. Jax went after Stratton in the ring. She gave Stratton an Annihilator. Naomi ran back to the ring and teased cashing in. Jax told her go back away. Naomi backed away.

-Aldis gathered the tag team division earlier in the day. Johnny Gargano suggested Fraxiom wrestle the Wyatt Sicks. Tomasso Ciampa suggested The Street Profits. Aldis told the Motor City Machine Guns that as the veterans of the division, they should set the tone.

-The Motor City Machine Guns made their entrance. [c]

(3) MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. THE WYATT SICKS (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy w/Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross, Eric Rowan)

The Wyatt Sicks made their entrance. The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. The Gunns landed leaping crossbody presses to ringside before they cut to a break around 2:00. [c]

Sabin and Dexter had a rough looking spot mid-ring. Gacy broke up a Skull & Bones attempt by MCMGs. Lumis and Gacy went for a high/low move, but Lumis’s kick completely came up short and Gacy’s leg sweep looked weak. Sabin didn’t know how bad it looked and held his jaw in pain. Lumis made the cover on Sabin, but the ref didn’t count. Tessitore oddly said, “He kicks free,” as if Sabin kicked out. That was strange.Lumis turned to Uncle Howdy at ringside. Lumis then landed a top rope legdrop for the win on Sabin.

WINNERS: Lumis & Gacy in 9:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Lumis looked like he was out of rhythm. Rough match for him.)

-Backstage, Cena aproached Jimmy Uso and asked if he’s seen R-Truth or Ron Killings. Jimmy said, “Listen, man, I ain’t seen neither one of them.” Cena said he knows they’re close, so he should let him know he’s on his way to the ring now and he should meet him there. [c]

-Tessitore plugged an Undertaker and Michelle McCool podcast.

[HOUR THREE]

-Cena made his entrance again. He entered the ring and said Truth crossed some lines. He said there’s a time to talk and a time to fight, and it’s time to fight. Instead, C.M. Punk’s music played. Punk asked if he heard him say something about being tired of being disrespected. Punk said the people are tired of being disrespected. He said now, he has the mic and he can trust when he says, they have yet to begin to reach the levels of disrespect they are capable of.

Punk told Cena he would give him a chance “in front of this legendary wrestling town” to stop what he is doing and let the people celebrate who and what he is on his way out and acknowledge the sacrifices he made. “Give them a happy ending,” he said. A “C.M. Punk!” chant broke out. Cena asked Punk, “Why would I waste my time?” Fans booed. “These people don’t matter, this place doesn’t matter, basketball doesn’t matter, horse racing doesn’t matter.” He said his WWE Title is the only thing that matters. He called the fans who wear his t-shirt and sing his song “idiots.”

Punk said the record should state that he gave him an out, but now the disrespect will start. He said when his theme plays, everybody knows it’s about to get real. He looked into the camera and said it’s about to get real. He said it pisses him off when Cena, of all people, call him a hypocrite. He said the truth is… at which point, fans chanted, “We Want Truth!” Punk paused and told Cena he can’t beat him and never could. He said he is threatening to ruin wrestling, so he’s going to take it upon himself to save it. He said he has a lot he wants to get off his chest.

Punk asked about Cena saying he has sociopathic confidence. He said he takes that as a compliment because that helped him get to the mountaintop time and time again when people like him told him they didn’t see it in him. He said he isn’t as confident as Cena because he won’t walk into an arena “dressed like a toddler who struck out at t-ball.” Punk laughed and asked the crowd if they liked that because he’d like it stricken from the record.

He said he sounded like a PG John Cena when he said that. “Which is ironic because Cena sounds like C.M. Punk” when he said he’s going to ruin wrestling. He said he is stealing his best material. He said he won the title and he left with the title and he’s trying to follow in his footsteps. He said Cena couldn’t stop him. He said challenging him at Night of Champions won’t stop him. He said he’s there to make Cena’s title reign interesting and his retirement tour palatable and watchable. He said he will follow him to Mars to beat his ass and he will follow him to hell to prove he is better than him.

He told Cena, “You are a goat, but so am I.” He said he will beat him at Night of Champions. He said is the GOAT he will spit roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling. He said Cena says he can’t see him. “I see through you and I always have, and that’s the truth,” Punk said. Punk left to his music. Barrett said Punk was at his poison tongued best. Tessitore said, “Classic stuff from Punk.”

Truth jumped Cena in the ring and put him in an STF. Punk said, “The Truth hurts” before turning and leaving. Security ran out and pulled Truth off of Cena. Cena rolled out of the ring and grabbed the back of his leg in pain.

(Keller’s Analysis: Punk seemed off during this, especially early on where he seemed to botch a couple lines and pause to regain his place, but ultimately he built this up as something that was going to tear Cena down, and he came at him with lame or relatively soft material.)

-Byron Saxton interviewed Alexa Bliss backstage. she said she isn’t rattled after Money in the Bank and she’ll remind everyone tonight who she is and get one step closer to Queen of the Ring. Charlotte walked in and said there’s only room for one queen in this division. Then she let out a “wooo!”

-Charlotte made her ring entrance. Then Bliss walked past her during her entrance. [c]

-They showed Truth backstage. Aldis ran up to him and said he can’t jump Cena like that. Truth said he wanted a match with Cena next week. Aldis said he got it.

(4) CHARLOTTE FLAIR vs. ALEXA BLISS vs. CANDICE LERAE vs. ALBA FYRE

Fyre placed Green. Tessitore said Green had travel issues, but is drinking a cocktail poolside somewhere. The bell rang 18 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00 after Charlotte scored a two count on Fyre. [c]

Charlotte applied a Figure-Eight on Fyre after the break. Bliss landed Sister Abigail on LeRae. The ref counted three so Bliss won second before Fyre tapped out to the Figure-Eight. Bliss smiled at Charlotte afterward.

WINNER: Bliss in 11:00 to advance to face the winner of the last unresolved Fatal Four-way.

-Punk approached Cody backstage as he was heading to teh ring. Cody told Punk, “You know, we can’t run away from each other forever.” Punk agreed and said they’d see who was champion after Night of Champions. [c]

-Tessitore and Barrett hyped that Orton vs. Sami would take place on Smackdown next Friday night. Also, Bliss will face the winner of the other winner from Raw. And Truth vs. Cena.

(5) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. CODY RHODES vs. ANDRADE vs. DAMIAN PRIEST – King of the Ring Tournament match

Nakamura’s ring entrance aired. then Andrade’s entrance. Tessitore called it “a wildly interesting mix of talent in the ring right now.” The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. Nakamura bailed out early. Barrett said there are no prizes for putting you body on the line early. Cody leaped through the ropes and tackled him. Andrade then kicked Cody. Priest and Andrade were left to battle in the ring. They cut to a very early break with Andrade in control. [c]

Nakamura kicked Cody off the ring apron onto a table set up at ringside. They cut to a double-box break with Andrade and Nakamura battling throughout. [c/db]

Back from the break, four-way action broke out. Andrade hit Priest with a spinning back elbow and The Message. Nakamjura broke up Andrade’s cover. Cody re-entered the fray with a double Cody Cutter (that looked sloppy). Priest set up a Razor’s Edge, but Cody slipped free and landed a Cody Cutter. He followed with Crossroads. Nakamura put Cody in a sleeper. Cody countered into a Crossroads for the win.

WINNER: Cody Rhodes to advance to face winner of Monday’s Sheamus vs. Rusev vs. Bronson Reed vs. Jey Uso match.