WWE Smackdown Results: Stratton Retains, MITB Qualifying Begins

May 16, 2025 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

May 16, 2025
First Horizon Coliseum – Greensboro, NC

By: John Kleinchester

WWE Smackdown Results

  • Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss over Chelsea Green and Michin via Twisted Abigail DDT in 9:02
  • Fraxiom over DIY via Roll-Up in 11:18 (Recommended) 
  • Aleister Black over Carmelo Hayes via DQ in 10:26
  • Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa over Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso via Samoan Spike in 13:05
  • JC Mateo over LA Knight via Tour of the Islands in 15:23
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton over Nia Jax via Prettiest Moonsault Ever in 13:47

 

The Family Has Grown

Smackdown from Greensboro, NC, kicked off with Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Jeff Cobb coming down to the ring. Worth noting is that Solo led the group, and his music was played rather than Fatu’s. Sikoa introduced the crowd to “JC” (Note: It appears that Jeff Cobb is now known as “JC Mateo”), who he said helped keep the United States title in the family at Backlash. Sikoa said he would win the Money in the Bank Qualifying Match tonight and return the WWE Championship to the family where it belongs. Sikoa then attempted to steal Fatu’s catchphrase, and Fatu snatched the mic out of his hand as the crowd chanted his name. Fatu and Sikoa traded barbs with Sikoa prodding Fatu to tell him he loved him like he used to. LA Knight then appeared at ringside, attacking JC by surprise and quickly running off. 

Bliss in the Bank

Backstage, B-Fab told Michin that she had to win Money in the Bank, and once she did, they would win the tag team titles. Chelsea Green and Alexa Bliss interrupted, and B-Fab revealed that she and the Secret Hervice were barred from ringside. This led directly into the first match of the evening with Alexa Bliss taking on Chelsea Green and Michin in the first Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. The match began, and Michin immediately superkicked Green, who went flying out of the ring as Michin and Bliss high-fived. The two briefly teamed up against Green, but that quickly fell apart as the match continued. In the end, Alexa Bliss won after hitting Green with the Sister Abigail DDT. This match was certainly a bit clunky, but the crowd did get into it. 

Fraxiom vs. DIY

Next up was the match set up by last week’s backstage attack, with DIY taking on Fraxiom. DIY got an early advantage after grounding Fraxiom’s high-flying start to the match. Fraxiom finally recovered and resumed their aerial onslaught as both teams exchanged big maneuvers for near falls. The finish saw Ciampa attempt to remove Axiom’s mask, only to have Frazer superkick him and Axiom reverse a roll-up for the pinfall victory. After the match, DIY attacked Fraxiom, and Motor City Machine Guns came out to make the save. After the commercial break, Fraxiom ran into The Street Profits, who informed them they will get a title shot next week on Smackdown.  

This felt almost like a throwback to the old NXT DIY, and Fraxiom impressed as well. This one is recommended. 

R-Truth Sit-Down

Footage of Wade Barrett sitting down with R-Truth was shown. Barrett asked Truth about John Cena attacking him at the Backlash press conference. Truth said you could always depend on Cena and recited all of his catchphrases. Barrrett said he sounded crazy, and Truth responded, “I don’t want to fight John, but if I have to beat him back to his senses, I will,” revealing he will face Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event. 

Drew & Damian, Stuck in a Cycle

A promo package aired with Damian Priest talking about how he and Drew McIntyre are stuck in a cycle and need a conclusion. Priest challenged McIntyre to a steel cage match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. 

Running It Back

Next was a rematch from last week, with Aleister Black taking on Carmelo Hayes again. Early on, Aleister attempted the Black Mass, but Hayes just barely avoided it. The action was back-and-forth until  The Miz climbed onto the apron, mirroring last week’s match. Hayes argued with Miz but was able to kick out of a roll-up by Black as Miz got knocked off the apron again. Aleister set up for Black Mass, and Miz attacked Black, causing the DQ. Aleister hit Black Mass on Miz again (for the fourth week in a row), but this time Hayes capitalized and hit Nothing But Net on Black, leaving him lying. Joe Tessitore claimed there was no winner in this match, but that’s not how professional wrestling works.  

Giulia Goes Blue

Backstage, Alexa Bliss asked Charlotte Flair if she had given any thought to what they had talked about. Charlotte said they were never close, but Alexa said Charlotte helped her when she was in NXT. Suddenly, Giulia emerged from Nick Aldis’ office, and Aldis introduced them, with Giulia now joining Smackdown. Aldis then invited Flair into his office to talk about Money in the Bank. Before leaving, Flair told “Lexi” to stay out of her way because she doesn’t need her. 

 

The McIntyre Vortex

Drew McIntyre cut an in-ring promo saying that Damian Priest being in “The Drew McIntyre Vortex” is the only reason why Priest is relevant. McIntyre accepted Priest’s challenge for a cage match and said Priest would leave Saturday Night’s Main Event on a stretcher. As McIntyre walked up the ramp, Sikoa, Fatu, and JC Mateo entered for Sikoa’s match and had a brief staredown. 

Solo in the Bank

Next was the Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match between Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Rey Fenix. Early in the match, Solo Sikoa’s wrist got caught in the ropes when thrown outside in a scary-looking spot. Thankfully, he seemed to be okay. 

Rey Fenix then fought off Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo, but turned around and got nailed with a giant Samoan Spike from Solo Sikoa, and Sikoa picked up the win. LA Knight then appeared and attacked The Family when Nick Aldis came out, and a match was immediately made between Knight and JC. 

The Debut of JC Mateo

LA Knight vs. JC Mateo (fka Jeff Cobb) was next, with the fallout of the previous match rolling right into this one. Mateo dominated the majority of the match until finally, Knight avoided a splash into the ring post on the outside and took control. Mateo responded with an impressive standing moonsault on Knight. Knight then fended off Sikoa and Fatu with a springboard splash to the outside, but as Knight reentered the ring, he was caught with Tour of the Islands as JC Mateo picked up the win. 

This was slow, long, and plodding. JC Mateo from Jeff Cobb is going to take some getting used to. 

 

Berto Needs Space

Backstage, Santos Escobar was worried about Berto storming off last week. He said they had an opportunity, but he needed Angel to find Berto and bring him back home for a “sit-down dinner party” on him. Escobar concluded, saying throwing their family away for one selfish person would be a shame.

 

Nakamura Returns to the Promo Closet

Shinsuke Nakamura cut a promo calling out LA Knight and Aleister Black, revealing that the three will face off next week in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Added to that was Charlotte Flair vs. Zelina Vega vs. Giulia. 

WWE Women’s Championship

Backstage, Jade Cargill wished Tiffany Stratton luck in her match against Nia Jax, but she would win Money in the Bank and cash in on Stratton, just like Stratton cashed in on Jax. Meanwhile, Naomi lurked in the background, and no one noticed. 

 

Early in the match, Nia Jax gained an advantage by hitting Stratton with a hip attack on the apron into the post. Nia Jax continued with her dominant offense when suddenly Naomi came down to the ring with a chair, but before she could interfere, Jade Cargill intercepted her, taking her out. Stratton then hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Nia Jax kicked out, and the commentators noted that no one had ever kicked out of it. Jax hit Stratton with the Samoan Drop on the announce desk and then hit the Annihilator, but Stratton grabbed the rope at the last second. Jax then grabbed the chair that Naomi brought out, but Stratton drop kicked it into her face. Stratton followed that up with another Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win. 

This was sloppy at first (and not because of Stratton), but the last minute or two was actually great. 

About John Kleinchester 234 Articles
John Kleinchester is a wrestling reporter from New Jersey, covering the sport since 2022. He is a graduate of Ithaca College and can be reached at [email protected].
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