Our WWE SmackDown results for tonight include Berto challenging Rey Fenix, bitter rivals Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre going face-to-face, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returning. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
WWE SmackDown Card:
- Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returns
- Damian Priest & Drew McIntyre go face-to-face
- Rey Fenix vs. Berto
WWE SmackDown Results:
Announcement
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis is in the ring and says he wants to address something that happened last week. As the crowd boos, Aldis notes that he was instructed to be professional. Aldis asks for Randy Orton to join him in the ring. The crowd sings as Orton makes his way to the ring. Orton says he can tell by the look in his eyes that Aldis took last week personally. Orton reminds Aldis that he paid the fine for this RKO in advance, so they should be even. The crowd cheers. Orton notes he wanted to speak to Aldis because he doesn’t have a WrestleMania match. This will be his 20th WrestleMania, and Orton needs to be there.
Orton says he doesn’t care who it is… hell, maybe Aldis can take off the suit and go around. Aldis says he doesn’t need Orton’s money; he needs his respect. Orton says he already respects Aldis, but if Aldis doesn’t get him a match, he won’t apologize to Mickie James for what he will do to her husband. Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga inturupt. Sikoa tells Orton to get out of the ring because he’s embarrassing himself. Orton wants Sikoa and Tonga in the ring right now. Sikoa and Tonga surround the ring. Orton holds both men off until he gets attacked from behind, trying to set up a DDT on Tonga. LA Knight’s music hits, and Knight makes the save. Knight challenges Sikoa and Tonga to a tag match.
Grade: B
Good opening segment. Lots of intense energy and a fired up Orton is the best version of Orton. This set up a predictable tag team match main event, but as long ad it didn’t lead to a Sikoa/Orton mania match. No one wants that.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are at ringside for the next match.
Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet Match: Winner earns Women’s Tag Team Championship Match at WrestleMania 41
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Pure Fusion Collective
Baszler and Stark control the entire match. The finish saw Valkyria roll Baszler in a jacknife pin for the win.
Pure Fusion Collective have been eliminated
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Natalya and Maxxine Dupri
Dupri look great, landing a few power moves and reverse caterpilar. Dupri gets a bit to excited and attempts to lock Bayley in the Sharpshooter. Bayley reverses it into a pin for the win.
Natalya and Maxxine Dupri have been eliminated
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Kayden Carter and Kitana Chance
Carter and Chance hit the Keg Stand on Valkyria. Bayley breaks up the pin. Valkyria reverses a rana into Nightwing for the win.
Kayden Carter and Kitana Chance have been eliminated
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Michin and B-Fab
Bayley drops B-Fab with the Roseplant for the pin.
Michin and B-Fab have been eliminated
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Piper Niven and Alba Fyre
Valkyria pins Fyre after a leg drop off the top.
Piper Niven and Alba Fyre have been eliminated
Winners- Lyra Valkyria and Bayley
Grade: C+
This match was nonsensical. There is no reason Lyra Valkyria should have a title match at WrestleMania over Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green. Of no fault of her own, Valkyria has done literally nothing in the past six months leading up to WrestleMania. This writer knew they would stick one of the women’s mid-card champions in the tag team picture due to sheer lack of creativity, but this was just silly. Don’t be shocked if Bayley gets taken out before the title match at WrestleMania and she gets replaced with Becky Lynch.
This #WrestleMania match is REAL personal for @Jade_Cargill and Naomi ?@TheTrinity_Fatu #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/isZOV5BnbC
— WWE (@WWE) April 12, 2025
McIntyre and Priest Face-to-Face
As Damian Priest makes his way to the ring, eyepatch Drew McIntyre attacks him from behind. McIntyre slams Priest’s head into the LED board. Priest is taken to the back by the medical staff.
McIntyre grabs a mic and says he’s 100% cleared, so Priest is 100% screwed. Priest storms back to the ring. Both men brawl. McIntyre tries to gouge out Priest’s eyes. McIntyre hits Priest in the head with the ring steps. Referees and officials tell McIntyre to leave. McIntyre responds by hitting a future shock DDT on the ring steps. McIntyre rips off Priest’s chain and walks away.
Rey Fenix vs. Berto
Berto and Fenix trade strikes and pin attempts. Berto sends Fenix over the top. Fenix gets to his feet. Berto lands a corkscrew splash. After the break, Fenix fires up and lands a double stomp on the apron. Corkscrew crossbody by Fenix. Fenix manages a top rope rana. Berto kicks out. Berto lands a powerbomb. Fenix gets his boots up while Berto is attempting a moonsault. Fenix lands the goodbye amigo kick, followed by another spin kick. MMB by Fenix. Fenix pins Berto.
Winner- Rey Fenix
After the match, Santos Escobar helps Berto up and tells Berto to shake Fenix’s hand. Berto gives Fenix the weakest handshake ever and walks away.
Grade: B+
The only issue this writer had with this match is it wasn’t long enough. This is the match of the night… unless something WILD happens by the close of the show.
Oh @RealNickAldis!@roxanne_wwe is shopping around for a match ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/xC6RdEpHdk
— WWE (@WWE) April 12, 2025
Read More: Tiffany Stratton Comments On Charlotte Flair Segment Going Off-Script On WWE SmackDown
Come on, @humberto_wwe!@AndradeElIdolo was just trying to give you some advice…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8LR7Mwlmjk
— WWE (@WWE) April 12, 2025
Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. Zelina Vega
Green is in control early. The fight spills out of the ring. Green tosses Vega back into the ring but gets distracted yelling at the commentary team. The referee counts Green out.
Winner- Zelina Vega
Grade: C-
We all know these two can have a good match if they are given the time to do so. The finish here obviously sets up a title match between these two. If anything, they could have let this one go for a bit before pulling the trigger on the countout.
The ring is covered, and there are tables with different versions of the WWE Championship on display.
The Champ is Here
Rhodes notes that his match against John Cena is about the future more so than the past. One man, John Cena, is trying to take away all that these championships mean. Rhodes says Cena thinks he doesn’t know who he is. Rhodes knows who he is. He’s the WWE Champion, and Cena is not. Rhodes promises to give Cena a moment to say goodbye at WrestleMania, but the WWE Championship stays with us.
Grade: B+
Great promo from Rhodes. Having the different versions of the WWE Championship as a backdrop added so much to this segment. Rhodes has had to carry the build to his WrestleMania main event by himself for the third year in a row. It’s pretty crazy when you think about it.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Roxanne Perez
Stratton and Perez trade strikes. Spinning head scissors by Perez. Perez slaps Stratton in the face. Stratton slaps Perez in the face. After another strike exchange, Stratton lands a suplex. Perez grabs the ring skirt. While the referee is distracted, Perez pokes Stratton in the eye. Perez tosses Stratton into the ring post. Before Stratton can respond, Perez stomps Stratton’s hand on the apron. After the break, Stratton hits the PME for the win.
Winner- Tiffany Stratton
After the match, Charlotte Flair appears and attacks Stratton. Wade Barrett steps in the way and tells Flair she’s going to get herself fired. Flair tries to push past Barrett, but Barrett stands his ground.
Grade: B
Good match. Perez’s “prodigy” nickname isn’t just hyperbole. Everything she does is so crisp that you can’t see through it. Beating her here wasn’t a great move, as she is still getting established on the main roster. If Flair was going to attack Stratton, why couldn’t it have been a minute earlier?
Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga vs. Randy Orton and LA Knight
Sikoa and Tonga beat down Orton. Knight gets the hot tag and clears the ring. The finish saw Orton drop Tonga with an RKO. Sikoa and Orton fight off. Knight hits Tonga with the BFT for the win.
Winners- Randy Orton and LA Knight
After the match, Jacob Fatu appears and attacks Knight.
This event is ongoing. This information will be updated as the event progresses.
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