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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JULY 4, 2025 (Taped 6/30)
PITTSBURGH, PA. AT PPGH ARENA
AIRED ON ON USA NETWORK AND ON NETFLIX INTERNATIONALLY
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 14,432 tickets were distributed; arena was set up for just under 15,000. The arena has a capacity of 19,758 spectators when configured for concerts.
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.
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OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
[HOUR ONE]
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as footage aired of the arrival of Solo Sikoa. Jacob Fatu attacked him through the open back window. He threw J.C. Mateo into the passenger door. Nick Aldis came out with security to try to calm him down. Fatu shoved security guys off of him.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. They showed a clip of Cody becoming King of the Ring a week earlier and then noted he faces John Cena at Summerslam for the WWE Title. “So, Pittsburgh, what do you want to talk about?” he asked. He held up the crown. He said before he talked about that, he wanted to talk about a child who is battling leukemia who was in the crowd. He said, “Let’s hear it for Cam!”
He held up the crown and asked, “So what does this crown stand for?” He said he left a piece of himself in Columbus, Ohio and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to win it. He said it stands for where they’ve been and where they’re going. He mentioned Steve Austin, Booker T, Bret Hart, and Triple H as past King of the Ring winners. He said it stands for where they are going, the main event of Summerslam. Fans booed when he mentioned Cena’s name. He was then interrupted by Randy Orton’s theme.
Barrett said Orton was tasting bitter disappointment after lofty goals and high expectations were beaten by Cody. Tessitore talked about Orton’s internal conflict including exposing a turnbuckle, but having it backfire.
Orton entered the ring and said that for weeks he told Cody he would do whatever it took to win and he would not hesitate. He said he was about to “rearrange your skull, brother, but I hesitated.” He said Cody didn’t hesitate and he pulled the trigger. He said for that, he respects him. He said won’t forget it, though. He asked Cody not to squander this opportunity and he encouraged him go to Summerslam and kick John Cena’s ass. Drew McIntyre’s music played.
As Drew walked out, Tessitore said it had been a month and a half since they last saw him. Drew said, “You hang up, no you hang up.” He said that’s what they both sound like to him “and it’s pathetic.” He called it “beta male energy.” He said the alpha has returned.
He said Orton lost the psychological battle long before his match with Cody. He said Cody had softened him up with sweet talk and a hug, but then a knife to the back. He said when he had the chance to punt him, he couldn’t do it. He asked what happened to the one who kicked Hall of Famers in the head and he had to save them.
He told Cody he wants him to beat Cena. He said they’ve had parallel careers and he wanted to be the one to rip it out of his hands. He said he won’t hesitate, “unlike somebody.” Orton then gave Drew an RKO was he turned around.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment that emphasized Cody’s match against Cena coming up, addressed Orton’s reaction to coming up short, and reintroduced Drew in a way that set up a Drew vs. Cody feud after Cody beats Cena.)
-Backstage, Charlotte asked Aldis if Tiffany has “come to her senses” and chosen her to be her opponent at Evolution. Aldis said that wasn’t exactly right. He said he did book her in a tag match later, and if her team wins, they get a Women’s Tag Team Title shot at Evolution. In walked Alexa Bliss, revealing she is her tag partner. “You’re welcome,” said Alexa. Charlotte indicated she didn’t want to associate with her. Alexa said she doesn’t want to be her friend, but they should be tag partners. Charlotte said she doesn’t like to share the spotlight. Bliss said, “I hate to break it to you, but you haven’t been in the spotlight in some time.” She said she wanted to help her get back there. Aldis said Charlotte doesn’t always know what’s best for her. Bliss asked if she wants gold at Evolution of not. Charlotte said, “Fine. Just don’t get in my way.” Aldis wished Alexa luck.
-Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre made their entrance. [c]
-Drew complained to Aldis. He said he wanted Orton. Aldis said Orton has left the building, but he can have him next week on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Drew turned and there stood Jacob Fatu. They had a brief staredown. Drew walked away. Aldis told Fatu can’t be attacking wrestlers and damaging their car. He said he can have an official tag match later against them. Aldis walked away. Jimmy showed up and said it appears he wanted a partner. Fatu asked if he was ready to fit in. Jimmy smiled and they shook hands.
(1) PIPER NIVEN & ALBA FYRE (w/Chelsea Green) vs. CHARLOTTE & ALEXA BLISS vs. B-FAB & MIA YIM – No. 1 Contendership at stake
Charlotte made her entrance. Tessitore called her “a future first ballot Hall of Famer.” Then Bliss made her entrance. Barrett said they have “a lapsed friendship from their days in NXT.” The bell rang 27 minutes into the hour. At 2:00, Niven leaped off the ring apron and flipped at Yim and B-Fab who sorta caught her. Fyre then flip-dove off the top rope onto Charlotte and Bliss at Niven held them up. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Charlotte rallied and set up a moonsault off the top rope onto Niven and Fyre. Charlotte patted Bliss on the head patronizingly. The ref considered that a legal tag. As Charlotte went after Green on the ring apron, Bliss landed a moonsault on Niven and Fyre, then scored a three count. Charlotte gave in and smiled and hugged her.
WINNERS: Charlotte & Bliss in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I think this is a solid story for both Bliss and Charlotte to be involved in. They’ve patiently set the table for what happened here in this match.)
-From earlier in the day, Aldis lectured DIY backstage as the Smackdown tag wrestlers were gathered. Fraxiom and DIY bickered. Aldis said Fraxiom can face Andrade & Rey Fenix tonight to show they can beat them, unlike DIY. Aldis said that it’s obvious to everyone else that they want a piece of the Wyatts. He said one member of each of the other teams will face four Wyatts later tonight. He said the Wyatts are “here to stay,” and if the Wyatts win the eight-man tag, they’re back in title contention. Johnny Gargano tried to unite everyone, but the rest of the teams walked away.
-The Wyatts ring entrance took place. [c]
-Tessitore got in some plugs.
(2) THE WYATTS (Uncle Howdy & Erick Rowan & Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) vs. MONTEZ FORD & HUMBERTO CARRILLO & JOHNNY GARGANO & CHRIS SABIN
The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Tessitore wondered who would be the alpha running things on the non-Wyatts team. The crowd popped for an early four-on-four brawl. Rowan threw Ford into a superkick by Lumis at 3:00. They cut to a break. [c]
Ford flip-dove onto Lumis and Gacy at ringside. Uncle Howdy spooked Sabin mid-ring and then went on the attack. He tagged in Rowan. Sabin fought back with a tornado DDT on Rowan. Both were down and slow to get up. Gargano reached for a tag, but then he dropped down to the floor. Rowan then crashed into Sabin in the corner as Sabin was left without a tag. Rowan then gave a claw slam to Sabin mid-ring for the win. Tessitore said the Wyatts are “seemingly short-circuiting the tag team division.”
WINNERS: Wyatts in 11:00.
-A vignette aired with Giulia saying blue flames burn everything down. “No mercy, no doubt, no fear,” she said. “With fire, with fury, my way. So whoever is next, step closer. You’re about to feel the heat of beautiful madness.”
-Tiffany Stratton made her entrance. Tessitore said she’d announce her opponent next, but first threw to a Fourth of July video. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-Tessitore got in some plugs and announced that Orton vs. Drew was now official for Saturday Night’s Main Event.
-Tiffany stood mid-ring as her music faded. She asked Pittsburgh, “What time is it?” Some fans replied “Tiffy Time.” She said she is ready to face Jade Cargill at Summerslam, but also defend her title at Evolution. She said Iyo Sky got to choose her opponent at Evolution, and she will too. She was interrupted by Jade Cargill’s entrance.
Jade made her way out to her music. When she entered the ring, she said “Respect, respect.” She said she was barely standing as she beat Asuka to become Queen of the Ring. She told Tiffany if she chooses wrong, she won’t make it to Summerslam. She said it doesn’t matter who she faces, she’ll win the title at Summerslam either way.
Tiffany said she had a surprise for everyone. Trish Stratus walked out. Barrett said his “biochemistry was having a Fourth of July celebration of its own. … I feel young and virile once again and every cell in my body wants to say thank you Trish.” Tessitore said he was going to move a couple feet away from him.
Tiffany said she thought to herself, “What would Evolution be without some Stratusfaction?” She offered her the title match at Evolution. Jade said that’s fine because she’ll beat either Tiffany or Trish at Summerslam.
Trish said she didn’t expect that and said, “Thank you, Tiff.” She said Evolution represents everything they fought for back in the day. She said they used to have to fight for getting even one match on a show, but now they’ll have a whole card of “incredibly talented women.” She said careers are made of moments, She said her kids have never seen her be a champion in the ring. She said “eight-time champion” has a nice ring to it. Tiffany said, “This won’t be easy. It’s not the Attitude Era anymore.” Trish said she has been known to evolve. Tiffany said the WWE Universe runs on Tiffy Time.
(Keller’s Analysis: Those are not three charismatic talkers, so it was pretty clunky and scripted sounding.)
-A vignette aired with Solo Sikoa welcoming the newest member of his family, Tala Tonga. He said this group is not like The Bloodline. He said they are his MFTs, his family tree. “And now my family is complete,” he said. [c]
-Backstage, Trish approached Jade. Jade said she loves that Trish gets a title shot, but if she wins, she’ll see her at Summerslam. Naomi attacked Jade from behind with her Money in the Bank briefcase and then let out a cackle. Aldis walked up to check on Jade, who asked Aldis for a match against Naomi. Aldis said they’d talk about it, but he wanted her to see a trainer.
(3) FRAXIOM (Nathan Fraser & Axiom) vs. ANDRADE & REY FENIX
Barrett said usually with teams, it takes a while to build chemistry, but from day one, Andrade and Fenix “has that magic.” The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00 after Axiom and Fraser landed dives on opposite sides of the ring. [c]
After more athletic action, Fraxiom landed a Golden Ratio to Fenix, but Andrade broke up the cover with force. They cut to another break. [c]
Andrade landed a running double knee on Fraser at 14:00. He played to the crowd as he slowly climbed to the top rope, but Frasier moved. Andrade landed a standing moonsault. Axiom broke up the cover with a dropkick to his head. Axiom came back and delivered a Spanish Fly to Andrade. Fraser landed a top rope corkscrew moonsault. Fenix broke up the cover. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”
Andrade and Fenix then rallied a minute later ending with Andrade landing The Message on Fraser for the win.
WINNERS: Andrade & Fenix in 16:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: I like the announcers emphasizing that Andrade and Fenix just had natural chemistry from day one, really emphasizing they’re a fast-rising team.)
-Damien Priest told Aleister Black that he just found out Black has a match against Ron Killings next week. Black said it sounds to him that he might be setting up his friend, but he’s “the good guy.” Priest said, “Who told you that I’m a good guy?” He said Truth won’t be the victim of violence. Black chuckled and left.
-Jacob Fatu made his entrance. [c]
-The announcers plugged next week’s Smackdown in Nashville featuring The Street Profits vs. The Wyatts and R-Truth vs. Aleister Black. (Ron Killings is again billed as “R-Truth” in the graphic.) Then they hyped the Evolution line-up.
(4) JACOB FATU & JIMMY USO vs. J.C. MATEO & SOLO SIKOA
The end of Jimmy’s ring entrance aired. Then Solo and Mateo made their way to the ring. The bell rang 48 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early break after a flurry by Solo against Jimmy, and then a staredown between Solo and Fatu. [c]
Barrett said Fatu outgrew the soldier’s uniform who said he loved Solo, but he said Mateo was happy to wear that uniform now in his place. Fatu tagged in against Solo and landed some offense against both Solo and Mateo. He delivered hip attacks to both in opposite corners.
Jimmy leaped over the top rope onto Mateo on one side of the ring. Fatu leaped onto Solo on the other side. Solo avoided a corner splash by Fatu and then superkicked Fatu down. Fatu blocked a Samoan Spike and then delivered a DDT followed by his Mighty Moonsault off the rope for a three count. “Sweet revenge,” said Tessitore.
WINNERS: Fatu & Jimmy in 9:00.
-Afterward, Fatu attacked Solo at ringside. He threw him onto the announce desk and then climbed to the top rope. Tala Tonga came out and knocked him off balance. Jimmy went after Tala, but Tonga Loa joined in to beat Jimmy down. Tala landed a big boot. Then Fatu took a four-on-one beating including a Samoan Spike. Solo called for a table. They delivered a triple-team powerbomb of Fatu through the desk. Solo stood tall with his U.S. Title belt held in the air as the show ended.
(Keller’s Analysis: Interesting choice to have Solo take the clean fall there. He was the leader of the post-match attack to restore lost heat. )
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
LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER: https://streamyard.com/u7ndwv8q4z
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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