
January 24, 2025
Moody Center – Austin, TX
WWE Smackdown Results
- Motor City Machine Guns over Pretty Deadly via Skull & Bones in 9:53
- Michin & B-Fab over Chelsea Green & Piper Niven via Eat Defeat in 3:26
- Nia Jax, Liv Morgan & Candice LeRae over Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Naomi via Roll-Up in 12:14
- Apollo Crews over Johnny Gargano via Roll-Up in 4:15
- LA Knight over Tama Tonga via BFT in 12:07
- Damian Priest over Carmelo Hayes via South of Heaven in 10:47
- Kevin Owens over Jimmy Uso via Pop-Up Powerbomb in 13:45
An “Exclusive” Interview with Cody Rhodes
Smackdown from Austin kicked off with Joe Tessitore interviewing Cody Rhodes in the ring and noting that Cody would relinquish his championship belt tomorrow night at Saturday Night’s Main Event during the contract signing with Kevin Owens moderated by Shawn Michaels. Rhodes turned his attention to Kevin Owens and said that his opponent chooses the easy way out ten times out of ten but there is no referee in a ladder match. Cody said he defeated both Roman Reigns and Gunther but was also a student of Randy Orton. He finished up by wishing Kevin Owens good luck at the Royal Rumble.
"Good luck!"@CodyRhodes is ready to put it all on the line to beat @FightOwensFight! 😤 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/DqFqgIjROo
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
MCMG vs. Pretty Deadly
Backstage, Pretty Deadly approached DIY and asked what the game plan was. Johnny Gargano said they wouldn’t be able to be in their corner for their match as he just found out he has a match against Apollo Crews tonight. DIY told Pretty Deadly to handle their business with Motor City Machine Guns but they worried about Ledgado del Fantasma. DIY walked off and Pretty Deadly immediately ran into Legado and the two groups just stared at each other before Pretty Deadly walked off.
YIKES!
Pretty Deadly, you might want to reconsider working with #DIY 😬 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fN93bRzJLd
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
This led directly into the match between “#1 Contenders” MCMG and Pretty Deadly. Pretty Deadly controlled the early portion of the match until after the ad break when Chris Sabin made the hot tag to Alex Shelley. MCMG tried to set up for Skull & Bones but Elton Prince shoved Shelley into the ropes, crotching Sabin. Pretty Deadly resumed control and hit a Bad Apple followed by an Elevated Bulldog for a near fall. Kit Wilson then got caught with the Skull & Bones for the victory.
That was INSANE!
We haven't seen this side of Pretty Deadly before 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/rGXGRcCitE
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
The Miz Falls Through the Transfer Window
The Miz and Nick Aldis were backstage and Aldis revealed that Miz had been transferred to Smackdown officially. Miz said he had the Wyatts moved to Smackdown to get away from them and Aldis advised him to go find some new friends fast.
Welcome to #SmackDown, @mikethemiz!
Looks like The Miz won’t be escaping The Wyatt Sicks anytime soon… 😅 pic.twitter.com/DCsKaTJuwz
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Strowman/Fatu Video Package
A promo package was aired with a strange 90s-style computer voiceover, hyping the match tomorrow night between Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu.
Kevin Owens & Matthew McConaughey & Jimmy Uso
Kevin Owens (wearing a Sami Zayn Forever Jackass style shirt and a Bret Hart jacket) appeared out of the crowd and started yelling at Joe Tessitore about interviewing Cody Rhodes earlier. He said that Tessitore makes him miss Michael Cole who’s too busy kissing Pat McAfee’s ass. He said that Cody uses his best friends and then betrays them. Suddenly, he turned his attention to Matthew McConaughey who was front row. He said that he would beat Cody just like Ohio State beat his Longhorns. Suddenly, Jimmy Uso’s music played. Uso then said Owens talked too much and immediately started attacking Owens. Before Jimmy could hit the Uso Splash, Owens high-tailed it. Jimmy then challenged Owens to a match as he threw up the Longhorns.
Oh, he's really lost it…@FightOwensFight has a bone to pick with @JoeTessESPN AND @McConaughey 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/m9kC1EiiVH
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Big Jim is taking matters into his own hands! 👊👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VPhQckVBek
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Carmelo Hayes Draws the Short Straw
Carmelo Hayes approached Nick Aldis backstage complaining that he was supposed to face Jimmy Uso tonight. Aldis said “Things happen” and it turns out he just made a great acquisition and Hayes would be the perfect opponent. Hayes said he didn’t trust Aldis as he did this with Braun Strowman so he would wait and see who it was for himself. A short while later it was revealed to be Damian Priest.
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown, @ArcherOfInfamy! @Carmelo_WWE was NOT expecting his next opponent to be Damian Priest 😬#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7U9UsPEOmF
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Michin & B-Fab
Next up was a tag team match as a result of the post-match of last week’s Smackdown with United States Champion Chelsea Green and Piper Niven taking on Michin and B-Fab. This match didn’t last long as Michin hit Eat Defeat, pinning the United States Champion in under four minutes, clearly setting up yet another title shot for Michin.
Michin and B-Fab were putting in work! 😤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/GdV3ZL8vum
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Charlotte Declares for Rumble
The Queen is BACK! 👑
We can't wait for #RoyalRumble! 🍿@MsCharlotteWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/L2UihS8uea
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Nick Aldis Remembers There’s a Women’s Rumble Too
Tiffany Stratton came down to the ring and talked about how whoever wins the Rumble will be “Running on Tiffy Time”. This brought out Rhea Ripley who said she respected what Stratton did to Nia Jax but it wouldn’t compare to what she’s going to do to her at SNME.
.@RheaRipley_WWE had remind Tiffany that there’s more than one women's champion 😤 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VIgg5pDIN0
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae then came out with Jax declaring for the Rumble. Next out were Bianca Belair and Naomi who both declared for the Rumble as well. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez appeared and Morgan called Stratton a “Liv Morgan doppelganger”. Finally, a brawl ensued as Rhea Ripley headbutted Morgan. Nick Aldis came down to the ring and the show suddenly cut to commercial.
EVERYONE wants a shot at @RheaRipley_WWE and @tiffstrattonwwe's titles! 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/XPEzVbz5l1
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
After the break, we jumped right into a six-woman tag team match between Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Naomi taking on Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, and Candice LeRae. This was all built around on the heels beating down the face team before Rhea Ripley was able to tag in.
HERE COMES MAMI! 😈@RheaRipley_WWE was not messing around!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/nIaSi4p2G2
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Rhea then set up for the Riptide on Nia Jax but Liv Morgan was the recipient of said finisher. Candice LeRae took out Rhea Ripley, allowing Bianca Belair to hit the KOD on LeRae but Liv Morgan snuck in and stole the victory with a roll-up.
Michin’s “One Final Crack”
Backstage, Michin announced to Chelsea Green and Piper Niven that Nick Aldis is giving her “one final crack” at the United States Championship next week. Niven and Green said they needed a way bigger security detail.
Johnny Gargano vs. Apollo Crews
Next up, Johnny Gargano took on Apollo Crews who had been getting into the business of DIY’s in the back over the last few weeks. Crews held his own with Gargano with some impressive maneuvers but Tommaso Ciampa hit a running knee on Crews behind the referee’s back. The Motor City Machine Guns appeared and started walking towards the ring and Apollo Crews caught Gargano with a roll-up for the win.
MCMG just cost @JohnnyGargano the match 😱 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ip7xrm120e
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Tama Tonga vs. LA Knight
Before the next match, Jacob Fatu cut another great promo.
Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga are LOCKED IN 😤 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0qGLjv9KNq
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Before the match began, LA Knight cut a hard-to-follow promo but promised there wouldn’t be anything left for Braun Strowman tomorrow night. These two went back and forth with the crowd solidly behind Knight. The crowd chanted “This is awesome” as LA Knight missed a feet-first dive through the ropes onto Tonga on the outside.
THIS IS AWESOME!!! 👏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hyMCbPHZjn
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Tonga hit a jumping DDT for a two-count as Fatu attempted to get involved and Tonga nearly gave us yet another roll-up victory but alas, LA Knight hit the BFT for the win. Fatu then began assaulting Knight before Braun Strowman came down as Tama Tonga held Jacob Fatu back. Fatu pushed Tonga away and briefly brawled with Strowman before being clotheslined over the top rope.
Jacob Fatu couldn’t help himself…
He just took out @RealLAKnight 😳 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mEjMIgYgyI
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Jacob Fatu 👀 Braun Strowman #SNME is going to be WILD!
LIVE NATIONWIDE TOMORROW 8E/5P on @nbc & @peacock pic.twitter.com/qbU5Td8qge
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Miz with Theory & Waller
Backstage, The Miz was speaking with A-Town Down Under and telling them they were all “made” from the same cloth, teasing making The Marine 7 together. Nick Aldis interrupted and informed the tag team that they were going to Raw, which they were very excited about.
Shinsuke Declares
A subtitled Shinsuke Nakamura video aired in which he also declared for the Rumble.
“I will seize the victory again.” @ShinsukeN just declared for the Men’s #RoyalRumble Match 💪 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kCqda0vwpM
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Damian Priest vs. Carmello Hayes
The next match saw Carmelo Hayes taking on Smackdown’s newest signing Damian Priest. Hayes showed flashes of offense but Priest continued to have an answer for everything Hayes put forward, including kicking out of the First 48 at two. Priest then hit a huge lariat, pulled his straps down, and hit South of Heaven for the win. A bit later backstage, Priest ran into Cody Rhodes and Rhodes shook his hand, welcoming him. Priest responded, “See you soon, champ.”
Look out! @ArcherOfInfamy tossed @Carmelo_WWE right over the barricade! 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YCf9bqkhSP
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
2 out of 3 Falls Match for the Rumble
Backstage, MCMG informed DIY that they asked Nick Aldis for a two out of three falls match for the Tag Team Championships at the Royal Rumble. DIY responded by saying “Tonight sucks” as they stormed off. In the background, Piper Niven could be seen talking to Blair Davenport.
IT’S OFFICIAL 🚨
We’re getting MCMG vs. #DIY at #RoyalRumble! 🙌 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SXTm3DmXoH
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
More Goings On Backstage
Before the main event, Michelle McCool and Mark Henry were shown in the crowd.
The Superstars are out tonight! 🤩#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/dWO36pXc26
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
The Miz was with Andrade backstage and he had everything but someone to guide him. Andrade agreed and said he would go find someone. Jimmy Uso appeared and laughed in The Miz’s face when Carmelo Hayes approached him saying “It’s going to take more than four moves to beat KO” and Jimmy responded “Yeah? Well, it’s only going to take three moves to beat you.” Jimmy started on his way to the ring but Carmelo Hayes followed him out and jumped him in the entranceway. Officials pulled Hayes away and Jimmy continued his way to the ring.
Main Event
Wearing a Naomi shirt?!
That's messy, @FightOwensFight 🥴#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LhREtIvWUB
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Kevin Owens was out in a Naomi shirt, attempting to play mind games with the real-life husband of Naomi. Owens got into the face of Matthew McConaughey with his Winged Eagle belt before the match and quickly gained the advantage over Jimmy as the match began. (It was shown online that The Undertaker had presented McConaughey with a custom Longhorns Championship sometime earlier in the night.)
Jimmy Uso is NOT giving up! 👊#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/BLteCxgLW6
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
After the last ad break, Jimmy Uso finally began to turn things around by getting his knees up when Owens went for a Senton off the top rope. Owens then knocked Uso off the top rope and hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb for the win. After the match, Owens set up for a Package Piledriver on Uso on the announce table, but Cody Rhodes ran down and brawled as the show went off the air.
IT'S ON SIGHT! 😤
Will @CodyRhodes and @FightOwensFight even make it to #SNME?! 👀
LIVE NATIONWIDE 8E/5P on @nbc & @peacock pic.twitter.com/sXlFfD2Sus
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025
Announced for Next Week from Indianapolis:
- Motor City Machine Guns & Los Garza vs. DIY & Pretty Deadly
- Women’s US Championship: Michin vs. Chelsea Green
- Naomi vs. Liv Morgan
- Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes
Final Thoughts
Not much to say about this one. A lot of Rumble set up but nothing that was all that interesting outside of maybe DIY and MCMG in a 2/3 Falls Match. Finally, we have some significant transfers happening in the unending transfer window.