{"id":198316,"date":"2025-05-23T23:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T04:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=198316"},"modified":"2025-05-24T01:26:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T06:26:05","slug":"wwe-smackdown-results-5-23-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-street-profits-vs-fraxiom-for-wwe-tag-titles-black-vs-knight-vs-nakamura-and-vega-vs-flair-vs-giulia-in-mitb-qualifiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/05\/23\/wwe-smackdown-results-5-23-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-street-profits-vs-fraxiom-for-wwe-tag-titles-black-vs-knight-vs-nakamura-and-vega-vs-flair-vs-giulia-in-mitb-qualifiers\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (5\/23): Corbridge\u2019s alt-perspective report on Street Profits vs. Fraxiom for WWE Tag Titles, Black vs Knight vs Nakamura and Vega vs. Flair vs. Giulia in MITB Qualifiers, plus R-Truth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-683195566\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT<br \/>\nMAY 23, 2025<br \/>\nSAVANNAH, GEORGIA AT <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/enmarketarena.com\/event\/wwe-friday-night-smackdown\/\">ENMARKET ARENA<\/a><strong><br \/>\nAIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK<br \/>\nREPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Commentators: <\/em><em>Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Ring Announcer: Mark Nash<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Attendance:\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/wrestletix\/posts\"><strong><em>WrestleTix<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>\u00a0reports that 6,419 were distributed headed into the show. The arena was set up for 6,658. The arena has a capacity of 9,500 when configured for concerts.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-smackdown-post-show-5-23-keller-cadet-talk-wyatt-sicks-return-another-non-finish-to-a-tv-main-event-charlotte-tiffany-alexa--66243011\">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN POST-SHOW (5\/23) - Keller &amp; Cadet talk Wyatt Sicks return, another non-finish to a TV main event, Charlotte-Tiffany-Alexa\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=66243011&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR ONE]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Joe Tessitore welcomed viewers to Savannah Georgia and hyped the main event WWE Tag Title match with The Street Profits defending against Fraxiom as both teams arrived at the arena. Solo Sikoa, United States Champion Jacob Fatu, and new ally J.C. Mateo also arrived. The sight of Fatu prompted cheers from the audience. Lastly, Drew McIntyre arrived but was attacked by longtime rival Damian Priest. The announcers hyped their cage match scheduled for tomorrow night at Saturday Night\u2019s Main Event.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; WWE Women\u2019s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance with the belt around her waist. Highlights were shown of her impressive title defense against Nia Jax last week. Stratton asked the crowd what it was, leading to an uproar from the crowd yelling \u201cTiffy Time!\u201d Stratton mentioned her recent wins over Charlotte Flair and Jax. She started to say that whoever wins the Money in the Bank this year might want to\u2026 but she was cut off by the music of Alexa Bliss.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4206611421\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bliss formally introduced herself to Stratton. She said she\u2019s had her eye on Stratton and was impressed by her win over Flair at Wrestlemania. Bliss claimed that at first she felt bad for Flair, then realized she couldn\u2019t feel bad for someone who calls herself \u201cthe queen.\u201d Bliss compared herself to Stratton by pointing out that they both cashed in their briefcases on Jax, though Bliss liked Jax at the time. Bliss told Stratton she better pray that Bliss doesn\u2019t win the briefcase this year because Stratton\u2019s downfall would be faster than her rise to the top. That prompted Charlotte Flair\u2019s music.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flair slowly made her way to the ring wearing an elaborate black robe. From ringside, Flair disrobed and grabbed a microphone. She bragged about being humble and told the crowd in Savannah that she would do the one thing she\u2019s never done, which is win the Money in the Bank briefcase. Flair was heavily booed while she spoke and entered the ring. She said that when she wants something she takes it. Stratton told Flair that she was a hypocrite since she\u2019s trying to qualify for Money in the Bank now, despite previously scolding Stratton for \u201ctaking the easy way out\u201d by winning the title via cash-in. Stratton told Bliss and Flair that they were \u201cvintage\u201d, inciting \u201coohs\u201d from the crowd. Stratton said that they were the standard while she is the upgrade.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stratton started to leave, but Giulia\u2019s music played. The women momentarily stared each other down as Giulia made her way to the ring for the opening match of the evening. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Decent segment that created tension among three of the top women on Smackdown. Bliss is such a polished talker and reminded me of how valuable she can be. Stratton is getting better, but I\u2019d still like to see her be less one-note. Flair still seems uncomfortable at times but was fine here. )<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(1) <\/strong><strong>ZELINA VEGA vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR vs. GIULIA \u2013 Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United States Champion Zelina Vega was the last to enter for the qualifying match. Tessitore mentioned that Vega has a five match winning streak. The bell rang for the first match 18 minutes into the show. Flair tossed Vega from the match and wanted to square off with Giulia, but Vega snuck back in and rolled up Giulia for an immediate nearfall. Flair tossed Vega into Giulia, but Vega turned it into a hurricanrana. Flair caught Vega in mid-air and hit a fallaway slam. Giulia got in Flair\u2019s face so Flair grabbed her and threw her into Vega, which again knocked Vega to the outside.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in the ring, Giulia went for a surfboard on Flair, then stomped on her head instead. Vega reentered the ring and reversed a double-suplex attempt into a double DDT. Vega covered each woman and got a two-count. Flair punched Vega on the apron, knocking Vega to the floor once again. Flair also gave a big boot to Giulia that sent her careening to the floor as well. Flair went to the outside. Vega climbed up to the top rope and hit a moonsault to the outside on her opponents as they went to a split screen break. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flair was smacking and taunting Giulia in the ring when they came back from the break. Vega attempted another hurricanrana, but Flair lifted her up on her shoulders and when she turned around Giulia hit a top-rope dropkick on Flair that knocked both women down. Giulia covered Flair and got a two-count. Then she covered Vega and got a two-count. All three women got to their feet and traded chops. Flair leaped off the top rope for a cross-body on both women. They recovered quickly. Vega locked in a submission hold on Flair, but Giulia hit Vega with a running knee to break it up.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3937565363\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flair was the first to her feet. She walked across both women on her way to the top rope as Barrett said, \u201cit\u2019s as dismissive as it gets.\u201d Flair hit a moonsault and covered both women for a nearfall. Flair was upset that it wasn\u2019t enough for the three count. Giulia locked in a Rings of Saturn on Flair. Giulia rolled through into a pin attempt leading to another nearfall. Vega hit a 619 on Flair, but Vega couldn\u2019t capitalize. Flair hit a spear on Giulia, but she was able to raise her shoulder on the pin attempt. Flair put Giulia in the Figure Eight leglock. Vega came flying in with a Meteora to break it up, then hit a Code Red on Giulia and covered her for a one\u2026two\u2026but Flair broke it up. The crowd expressed their opinion that this match was awesome.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flair missed a spear attempt on Vega but was able to knock her down with a big boot. Flair locked in a bridging Figure Eight. Giulia hit a double stomp off the top on Flair\u2019s knee. Giulia followed with a Northern Lights bomb on Vega and covered for the pin and the win.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: Giulia via pinfall in 13:00. Giulia qualified for the Money in the Bank match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: A very good match. All three women worked hard and it told a couple stories. Vega kept getting tossed aside while Flair and Giulia confronted each other. They clearly teased a looming Flair vs. Giulia feud. I reserve my right to predict who will win the briefcase, but as of now I wouldn\u2019t pick Giulia.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; DIY gave backstage comments in a pre-recorded segment. They sat in a dimly lit area in front of a closed garage door. Tommaso Ciampa did most of the talking about how they turned the tag team division into the best on the planet. \u00a0He and Johnny Gargano took turns running down the other tag teams like The Street Profits, The Motor City Machine Guns, and Fraxiom. They said something needed to change.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: The tag team division has certainly heated up. However, they need to continue to build up the teams as separate entities with defined characteristics besides being talented in the ring. That will take the division to a higher level. Pretty Deadly wasn\u2019t mentioned by DIY. Sad. At least I mentioned them right?)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Chris Sabin made his way to the ring accompanied by his partner Alex Shelley. Tessitore said that Sabin will face Ciampa after the break. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Vega was walking backstage holding her neck. Former United States Champion Chelsea Green approached her with the Secret Hervice in tow. Green ridiculed Vega for being a champion yet still being a loser. Vega punched Green. The Secret Hervice attacked Vega until Michin and B-Fab showed up. Michin hit Alba Fyre with a kendo stick. A brawl broke out until Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis showed up with officials to break it up. Michin demanded a tag match against the Secret Hervice tonight and Aldis agreed to it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ciampa went to the ring accompanied by Gargano.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(2) CHRIS SABIN (w\/Alex Shelley) vs. Tommaso Ciampa (w\/Johnny Gargano) <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ciampa and Sabin felt each other out as Tessitore mentioned that this was the first time they\u2019ve ever had a singles match against each other. Ciampa gained control and stomped on Sabin in the corner. Ciampa hit a huge chop that took Sabin to a knee and followed up with a stomp. He covered for a two-count. Sabin ducked a clothesline and Ciampa retreated to ringside. Sabin was going to catapult over the top but Ciampa rolled back into the ring so Sabin just leaped over the top onto the apron. Sabin attempted a springboard but Ciampa threw his jacket at Sabin. As Sabin caught it Ciampa used the distraction to DDT Sabin. DIY sat on the apron and patted themselves on the back for being so clever. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sabin hit a desperation bulldog but Ciampa was back to hit feet first. Sabin leveled him with a clothesline and leg sweep. Sabin with a German suplex and an enziguri leading to a nearfall. Ciampa rolled to the outside where he was consoled by Gargano. Sabin and Ciampa traded chops while standing on the apron. Ciampa ducked one and dropped on the hardest part of the apron.\u00a0 Ciampa covered him back in the ring, but Sabin got a shoulder up at the last second. Barrett said it was pure instinct. Sabin recovered and hit a flying tornado DDT off the ropes for a two count. Ciampa was selling the knee.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sabin climbed to the top. Gargano jumped up onto the apron to distract him, but Alex Shelley got in Gargano\u2019s face. Gargano backed down but Ciampa knocked Shelley to the floor with a big boot. Sabin tried to capitalize with a roll up, but Ciampa kicked out at two. Sabin dumped Ciampa to the floor and then hit a leaping cross body off the top onto both members of DIY. Sabin rolled Ciampa back into the ring amid \u201cThis is Awesome\u201d chants. Ciampa tried to get up but his knee buckled. Sabin climbed down and watched as the ref checked on Ciampa. Candice LeRae came out from under the ring and got up on the apron. She pulled Sabin\u2019s hair and slingshot him on the Ropes. When he got up Ciampa hit him with a big running knee (with the kneepad down) and covered for the win.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: Tommaso Ciampa via pinfall in 11:00.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Looks like the change they were talking about was officially adding LeRae to the team. It obviously makes perfect sense since she and Gargano are married and have worked as a team in the past anyway. It gives something for LeRae to do too, since she hasn\u2019t done anything since her partnership with Jax fizzled out. More matches like this please. Ciampa and Sabin worked very well together.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Fraxiom were interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. He asked them about their match tonight. They said this is the biggest night of their careers. Nathan Frazer said that they are only worried about The Street Profits tonight and that as long as they believe they can beat anyone. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The announcers ran down the four match card for tomorrow night\u2019s Saturday Night\u2019s Main Event. A recap aired of John Cena\u2019s recent heel actions and talking down to the fans. It was interspersed with highlights of his career. Tessitore specifically plugged the Cena vs. R-Truth match for SNME.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR TWO]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Damian Priest\u2019s music played, as he was scheduled to give comments about his cage match against Drew McIntyre tomorrow night. However, Priest and McIntyre brawled their way out to the ring instead. They fought as officials and referees attempted to break it up. The crowd chanted \u201cLet Them Fight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Solo Sikoa, J.C. Mateo, and Jacob Fatu chatted backstage. Fatu asked Solo to talk in private, but Solo said that anything Fatu wanted to say he could say in front of Mateo because Mateo was family. Fatu said he didn\u2019t trust Mateo and did like him. Fatu said he didn\u2019t need anyone\u2019s help at Backlash. He also said that Mateo damn sure isn\u2019t his family. Solo told them that they needed to channel that aggression into their match tonight against Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso. Solo said that Fatu and Mateo need to work as one so that they can bring Jimmy back into the fold.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: It was interesting that Solo wants to bring Jimmy back into whatever is left of the \u201cNew\u201d Bloodline. It\u2019s not like Jimmy\u2019s doing anything else. Plus, Solo and Mateo may need another ally due to Fatu\u2019s inevitable babyface turn.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Chelsea Green\u2019s music played and she came out to accompany Alba Fyre and Piper Niven for the next match. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss talked in a dark hallway. Bliss said that \u201cit\u2019s important to have friends because when you don\u2019t no one is there to lift you up when times are hard.\u201d Flair thought Bliss was talking to her but she was talking to her doll. Bliss: \u201cSee you at Money in the Bank. Oh\u2026sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Sick burn by Bliss on Flair for not qualifying for MITB.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Michin and B-Fab entered for their match to little reaction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(3) ALBA FYRE &amp; PIPER NIVEN (w\/Chelsea Green) vs. B-FAB &amp; MICHIN\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tessitore mentioned that this was B-Fab\u2019s first match since April 11. Niven and Fyre immediately illegally double-teamed B-Fab leading to a Niven senton on B-Fab. Green applauded. Fyre drove kicks into B-Fab\u2019s midsection in the corner. Quick tags by the Hervice. Fyre hit a great-looking running knee in the corner that leveled B-Fab. The crowd came to life for B-Fab. Fab made a warm tag to Michin. Michin was on fire with a surge of offense as Tessitore mentioned that Michin seemed to have a bounce in her step. Michin was literally bouncing up and down in the ring as he said it. Green got up on the apron, but Zelina Vega ran down to ringside and yanked her down.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back in the ring Fyre rolled up Michin for a two count. Michin stumbled back into her corner and B-Fab made a blind tag. Michin hit an Eat Defeat on Fyre. B-Fab entered the ring and hit Fye with a modified neckbreaker. B-Fab covered for the three count.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNERS: B-Fab &amp; Michin via pinfall in 4:00.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Saxton interviewed The Street Profits right behind the curtain. Saxton said that the common belief is that all the pressure is on the Profits tonight. Montez Ford said that anyone who says Fraxiom is the best team in the WWE is lying. Solo, Mateo, and Fatu walked up on their way to the ring.\u00a0 It distracted The Profits from their interview. Fatu and Mateo made their way to the ring accompanied by Solo. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A Legado Del Fantasma vignette was shown. They were sitting at a table at someone\u2019s house, each with a wine glass in front of them. Santos Escobar told Angel and Berto that they are familia. He said that in any familia there are beautiful moments, but also sometimes there is fighting. Berto said that this is just another stupid pep talk. Escobar said it is business. He said that they will come together at Worlds Collide against the best that \u201cthey\u201d have to offer. Escobar said it was a unique opportunity for them to stand victorious in front of their people. Escobar and Angel stood to drink to that, but Berto stayed seated. Escobar told Berto to trust the vision. Berto stood, took a quick drink and walked away. Escobar told Angel to let him go because soon he will understand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A graphic was shown advertising Legado Del Fantasma against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., Psycho Clown, and Pagano at World Collide on June 7.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: The vignette was very well done. I continue to be intrigued by the perpetually underutilized trio. Worlds Collide is a great opportunity, much like Escobar pointed out.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix hyped each other up for their upcoming tag match. Uso\u2019s music played and he came out first. Fenix came out next.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(4) JIMMY USO &amp; REY FENIX vs. JACOB FATU &amp; J.C. MATEO<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatu and Mateo didn\u2019t talk to each other at all during the pre-match. Mateo initially got out of the ring and let Fatu start things off. But then Mateo tagged himself in and squared off against Uso. Fatu blind tagged himself in. Uso with an enziguri on Fatu and a tag to his partner. Fenix and Uso hit multiple superkicks. Fenix hit an Uso-assisted springboard corkscrew plancha off top rope to the floor that took out Fatu and Mateo. The announcers were losing their minds. A replay was shown as they went to commercial. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mateo hit an impressive standing moonsault on Uso. They replayed some action from the break where Fatu dominated to regain momentum for his team. Fatu tagged in and hit a running senton on Uso. Fatu mugged for the hard camera. Solo leaned over to Jimmy and told him he still loves him and that he could still come home. Fatu hit a running hip attack on Uso in the corner. \u00a0Mateo tagged in and went for a German suplex off the top rope. Uso fought his way out of it and hit an \u201cUso in the Wind\u201d that knocked down Mateo. Uso made the hot tag while Mateo tagged out to Fatu.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fenix was on fire catching Fatu off-guard with his speed. Fenix with a bunch of kick and then hit the Adios Amigos and a hurricanrana on Fatu. Fatu tried to recover, but Fenix hit a poisonrana for a huge nearfall. Fenix motioned with his hands that it was \u201cthat close\u201d while the crowd chanted \u201cref you suck.\u201d\u00a0 Fatu turned the tides of the match by catching Fenix mid-air and hitting a pop-up Samoan Drop. Fatu missed a running hip attack and tagged Mateo back in. Mateo threw Fenix toward his corner, but it allowed Fenix to tag in Uso. Uso with a cross-body off the top and cover on Mateo. Fatu broke it up. Fenix hit a missile dropkick off the top on Fatu that dumped him at ringside. Fenix attempted a dive through the ropes, but Fatu caught him and launched Fenix over the announcer\u2019s table.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uso hit a spear on Mateo back in the ring. Uso climbed to the top, but Solo got up and begged him not to do it. Uso reject the offer and leaped into the ring but rolled instead of hitting a maneuver. When Uso stood back up Mateo caught him in his \u201cTour of the Islands\u201d spinning slam and covered for the three count.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNERS: Jacob Fatu &amp; J.C. Mateo via pinfall in 12:00.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: It was a slightly better showing by Mateo than last week\u2019s debut. By the end of the match Fatu and Mateo were able to begrudgingly co-exist\u2026for now. The most notable development was Solo\u2019s attempt to bring Jimmy Uso back into the \u201cfamily.\u201d )<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Saxton interviewed L.A. Knight in the locker room. Knight said that he\u2019s going to win Money in the Bank. He said will drop BFT\u2019s on everyone tonight and finished off with his catchphrase.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R-Truth was shown walking backstage. He walked by a mural wall that included a drawing of John Cena on it. Truth saluted it. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; R-Truth made his way to the ring to discuss his match tomorrow night against Cena. Truth asked the crowd in Savannah \u201cwhat\u2019s up?\u201d Truth said what\u2019s up is that everyone keeps asking him how it\u2019s going to feel to fight his childhood hero tomorrow night. Truth said that the man who attacked him isn\u2019t his childhood hero. He couldn\u2019t figure out what went wrong with Cena or how he could have prevented it. Truth said the problem was that Cena gained more power and fame, and as that happened he became more disconnected.\u00a0 Truth said that Cena used to call him his friend. But then the texts messages and replies lessened and the phone calls stopped. Truth thought Cena was annoyed with him and he blamed himself. But then Truth talked to other people who said they felt the same way. Truth compared how Cena got corrupted with power to Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Truth said it was about Cena\u2019s ego and he didn\u2019t like what Cena has become. Truth said that Cena is the Greatest of all Time, which drew boos from the fans. Truth said he would try to bring him back, but he also wouldn\u2019t allow Cena to take his joy away from him. Truth said that apparently in order to save wrestling he must first save Cena. So, if he has to, then he will \u201cbeat the hustle, loyalty, and respect, right back into his ass.\u201d Truth said \u201che missed his hero and he can\u2019t deny it. So that on Saturday, if Cena wins we riot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Truth laid out his points well and was fired up by the end of it. He\u2019s been adamant that Cena is not the same guy he idolized and perhaps he even did a better job explaining Cena\u2019s heel turn than anyone else has at this point? Saying that power and fame gradually corrupted Cena makes sense. Truth should have ended with the strong \u201chustle, loyalty, and respect\u201d line. The poem after that was meh. )<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Highlights were shown of the main event fight between C.M. Punk and Sami Zayn against Seth Rollins and Bron Breaker from last Monday\u2019s RAW in order to hype up their SNME tag team match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aleister Black made his \u201craising coffin\u201d entrance. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR THREE]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A pre-taped segment aired with Nia Jax, Jade Cargill, and Naomi each saying they will win next week in a Money in the Bank qualifying match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: That\u2019s a strong match for next week with high stakes between three women who are embroiled in a hot feud. Well done WWE.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shinsuke Nakamura was out next. L.A Knight came out last to a big reaction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(5) <\/strong><strong>ALEISTER BLACK vs. L.A. KNIGHT vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA \u2013 Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nakamura attacked Knight as he was looking up at the briefcases hanging from the rafters. Knight and Black went high\/low on Nakamura and tossed him from the ring. Knight hit a jumping neckbreaker on Black followed by a bunch of stomps in the corner. Nakamura back in the ring and took out Knight. Knight rolled to the floor. Nakamura and Black circled each other as Tessitore anticipated the strikes from them. On cue, they began striking each other. Black was going to attempt a leap to the outside, but Knight surprised him by leaping to the top rope and superplexing Black into the ring. Nakamura was there when Knight recovered and he laid out Knight. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the break, Black was dominating Nakamura with leg strikes and a leg sweep. Knight back in and attempted a BFT but Black escaped. Black missed a Black Mass and Knight caught him with a fireman\u2019s carry slam for a cover. Nakamura broke it up and threw Knight to the floor. Nakamura played around with Black. Black got back to hit feet and they traded several forearms. Nakamura charged Black in the corner but Black got his knee up. Knight came back in and surprised Black with a knee of his own. Black recovered and hit an even bigger knee that knocked Knight off the apron onto the floor. Knight hit a moonsault onto Nakamura on the floor with a hard landing for Black. Knight rolled Black back into the ring, but Black immediately ran the ropes and somersaulted over the top back onto Knight. The announcers pointed out that it was a noticeably second hard landing in about 20 seconds for Black.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knight hit a DDT on Black in the middle of the ring. The crowd chanted for him as he hit his patented elbow drop.\u00a0 But Nakamura broke up the cover again. Nakamura covered Knight, but he grabbed the rope for a break. Nakamura went for a Kinshasha, but Black caught his leg. Nakamura recovered and sent Black shoulder first into the turnbuckle. He went for the Kinshasha again, but Black nailed him with the Black Mass! However, Knight immediately threw Black out of the ring and covered Nakamura himself for the one\u2026two\u2026three.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: L.A. KNIGHT via pinfall in 11:00.\u00a0 L.A. KNIGHT qualified for the Money in the Bank match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Pretty good match that would have been better with a few more minutes for them to shine. I\u2019m interested in the Black vs. Nakamura match that is bound to happen very soon.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were in the back watching the last match. Hayes was happy that Black lost. Hayes was also happy that he\u2019s in a Money in the Bank qualifying match next week. Miz told him that Hayes is in the match because of him. According to Miz, Nick Aldis told him that one of them could have the spot and Miz said Hayes should have it. Hayes was pumped up.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Maybe I\u2019m the only one, but I still think they are slowly building to a babyface Miz\/Hayes tag team.) <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A video hype package aired for the Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul match for the World Heavyweight Championship tomorrow night at Saturday Night\u2019s Main Event. The announcers ran down the SNME card again. A new match was added because Zelina Vega will defend her United States Championship against former champion Chelsea Green.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Solo, Mateo, and Fatu walked around in the back. Nick Aldis came up to them and told Fatu that he is in the final Smackdown Men\u2019s Money in the Bank qualifying match next week. Solo was clearly upset about it, but he told Fatu that it was great. Fatu said, \u201cI love you Solo\u201d and sounded more like he meant it than last week. Fatu left and Solo looked happy about it. He even tried to yell \u201cI love you too\u201d back at him. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A music video package aired with Bianca Belair talking about how the last few months have been the most challenging in her career because she\u2019s lost friendships, championships, and even lost her first Wrestlemania match. She said she would get through it and it will be a new beginning for her. She said her best was yet to come.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Graphics were shown advertising next week\u2019s Smackdown including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bianca Belair returns<\/li>\n<li>Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Jacob Fatu vs. Andrade<\/li>\n<li>Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match: Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill vs. Naomi<\/li>\n<li>WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena returns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The challengers for the WWE Tag Title Fraxiom entered first for their championship match. The WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits came out next wearing black jackets. Ring announcer Mark Nash gave the appropriate official championship match introductions. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford held their titles high and proud.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(6) THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford &amp; Angelo Dawkins) (c) vs. FRAXIOM (Nathan Frazer &amp; Axiom) &#8211; <\/strong><strong>WWE Tag Team Title match\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dawkins and Axiom started things off. Dawkins shoved Axiom down and remained in control by hooking in an armbar. Axiom worked his way to the corner and tagged in Nathan Frazer. Frazer and Dawkins ran the ropes a few times leading to a big shoulder block that leveled Frazer. Ford tagged in and hit a big dropkick on Frazer, then tagged out. Dawkins towered over Frazer and pummeled him. Frazer was able to dive and make a very cold tag to his partner. Fraxiom gained some momentum from their double teams and stereo dives to the outside. Frazer hit a somersault dive to the outside and Axiom completed the \u201cdive train\u201d by hitting a top rope moonsault. They went to a picture-in-picture commercial break. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dawkins slowed things down with a headlock on Axiom. Axiom tried to escape to make a tag, but Dawkins carried him to his own corner instead. Dawkins hit his spinning splash in the corner and covered for a two count. Axiom recovered and hit a flying DDT. Both men were down. Axiom rolled free and tagged in Frazer. Frazer ran the ropes at blazing speed and hit a running shooting star press for a two count on Ford. Frazer attempted a springboard maneuver but it was wobbly on the top rope. He slipped but managed to land firmly on the apron. Barrett sold it like Frazer intentionally did it to deke his opponent. Frazer recovered and hit a springboard missile dropkick on Ford and covered for a nearfall. Ford tagged in Dawkins. Dawkins picked up Frazer and threw him to Ford. Ford planted him and Dawkins covered for another two-count as they went to another split-screen. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tessitore said that Fraxiom have won four straight matches. Ford overpowered Axiom with punches. Axiom rallied with a dropkick and a rear naked choke. Ford tried to get out of it. Dawkins tried to help his partner but Frazer intercepted and locked in a guillotine choke. Dawkins suplexed out of it, dropping Frazer onto Axiom and Ford. It broke up the rear naked choke that Axiom had on Ford. Frazer had Ford perched on the top rope, but Ford pushed him off. Frazer leaped back up and backflipped off. Blind tag from Axiom. Frazer hit a superplex followed by another suplex. Axiom superkicked and upside-down Ford and covered since he was the legal man. One\u2026two\u2026kick out by Ford.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frazer and Axiom discussed what to do next. Frazer went to the run the ropes, but Dawkins caught him with a big blow. Dawkins threw Frazer into the steps. Ford rolled-up Axiom for another two count. The Profits hit a double-team blockbuster and Dawkins covered. Frazer came flying off the top and barely got there in time to save the match for Fraxiom. Great nearfall. The crowd was very into the match. Dawkins climbed to the top but was met by Axiom. Axiom hit a Spanish fly off the top on Dawkins and Frazer followed up with the Phoenix Splash. Frazer went for the pin, but Ford was able to break it up. Axiom took out Ford with a superkick. All four men were down. \u00a0\u201cThis is Awesome\u201d chants broke out.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DIY and Candice LeRae ran down to ringside. The Motor City Machine Guns came down after them and they started brawling. Ford leaped over the ringpost with a somersault onto them. Back in the ring, Frazer attempted another Phoenix Splash on Dawkins but missed. Dawkins hit a spinebuster on Frazer. Ford saw what was happening and got up on the top rope. The lights went out.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lights came back on and the Wyatt Sicks were in the ring! Ford looked distraught. Dexter Lumis leaped to the top and threw Ford off the tope rope. The crowd chanted \u201cHoly Sh*t\u201d. Rowan hit a huge running cross-body onto Ciampa and Shelley. Nikki Cross leaped off the apron onto LeRae. Back in the ring Joe Gacy powerbombed Lumis onto Dawkins. Uncle Howdy got the mandible claw on Frazer. The crowd was into it. Howdy kissed Gargano on the forehead and gave him a Sister Abigail. The Wyatt Sicks\u2019s music played. They were gathered in the middle of the ring and there was a cake with one candle on it laying in front of them because today was the late, great Bray Wyatt\u2019s birthday. Howdy looked to the heavens and said, \u201cMy life for you\u201d and blew out the candle as the show ended.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNERS: No Contest in 21:00.\u00a0 The Street Profits retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: It was a terrific match. Anytime we get one of the top four team on Smackdown in a match together it\u2019s going to deliver. The Wyatts return was a nice surprise and the crowd was very behind them. The cake was a nice tribute to Bray Wyatt on what was his birthday. I hope they have a plan for the group moving forward.)<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-smackdown-post-show-5-23-keller-cadet-talk-wyatt-sicks-return-another-non-finish-to-a-tv-main-event-charlotte-tiffany-alexa--66243011\">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN POST-SHOW (5\/23) - Keller &amp; Cadet talk Wyatt Sicks return, another non-finish to a TV main event, Charlotte-Tiffany-Alexa\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=66243011&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2349268804\"><div id=\"pwtor-3047943909\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT MAY 23, 2025 SAVANNAH, GEORGIA AT ENMARKET ARENA AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK REPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett Ring Announcer: Mark Nash Attendance:\u00a0WrestleTix\u00a0reports that 6,419 were <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/05\/23\/wwe-smackdown-results-5-23-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-street-profits-vs-fraxiom-for-wwe-tag-titles-black-vs-knight-vs-nakamura-and-vega-vs-flair-vs-giulia-in-mitb-qualifiers\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (5\/23): Corbridge\u2019s alt-perspective report on Street Profits vs. Fraxiom for WWE Tag Titles, Black vs Knight vs Nakamura and Vega vs. Flair vs. Giulia in MITB Qualifiers, plus R-Truth\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":185189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,48,20,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-198316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tvshowsandevents","category-tv_wwesmackdown","category-tv_wwetvreports","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-20-at-5.49.57\u202fPM.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=198316"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198316\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":198336,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198316\/revisions\/198336"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=198316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=198316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}