WWE presented the SmackDown after WrestleMania from Dixies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The show featured the fallout of WWE WrestleMania 41. John Cena and Randy Orton came face-to-face. WWE Tag Team Titles were hung above in a Triple Threat TLC Match. Multiple new storylines were unveiled on Friday Night’s show. Let’s talk about WWE SmackDown April 25 Results.
John Cena and Randy Orton’s Verbal Exchange
The show kicked off with the new Undisputed WWE Champion, John Cena. The 17-time World Champion entered the ring with fan chants of “John Cena Sucks”. Cena wasn’t happy with his introduction. He called the announcer and handed him a piece of paper. The announcer introduced the Last Real Champion again. Before Cena could talk, Randy Orton’s music hit, and the Viper arrived in the ring. Fans sang Orton’s music.
Randy said it’s been 25 years since he and Cena shook hands for the first time. Orton praised Cena’s run as Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect. He said that Cena inspired a generation of kids and granted the highest number of wishes in the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Orton said that there was a void when Cena met every kid, and the void can be filled if Cena has his own kids. Randy told Cena to have kids to be a better human being.
Cena felt disrespected and said that Orton is parent-shaming him. John said that he never had kids because he raised everyone’s kids. He influenced kids better than their parents. He turned to a kid in the crowd and called his father a loser. Randy reminded him that fans are the reason Cena made it successfully into Hollywood. Orton said that he himself had made mistakes in the past but people backstage respect him as he’s here to stay while John is a guest.
Cena said that he once agreed with Orton that there’s nothing without the fans. But his perspective has changed. Cena called Randy and the fans a hypocrite and said that this is a dysfunctional relationship. Orton said that Cody represented his family. Also, Orton claimed that wrestling has given him everything and he won’t ruin it. Cena said that Orton is a 14-time World Champ, but he’d stick to that as Cena will take the title home as the Last Real Champion.
Randy dared Cena to put his title on the line right now. Cena said that he’d do that at Backlash in Randy’s hometown so that Randy could be at his best and there would be no excuses for his failure. Cena went for a cheap shot, but Orton again caught him with RKO and raised the title in the air to close out the segment.
Grades: A
Analysis: It was a solid promo battle to kick off things on Friday Night SmackDown. Cena and Orton always blend well, and this was a glimpse of their expertise in the industry. There will be a match between Randy Orton and John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Backlash.
Fraxiom vs Legado Del Fantasma
Axiom started against Berto with a hurricanrana and a dropkick. Both Angel and Berto were sent to the outside and Fraxiom landed a double suicide dive. The high-flying action continued as Frazer landed a running senton followed by a moonsault by Axiom. Back in the ring, Frazer delivered a Slingblade and a standing senton on Berto for a near fall. Berto bounced back with a head kick and a moonsault off the top rope. In the end, Axiom caught Angel with a Spanish Fly followed by Frazer’s Pheonix Splash for the victory.
Winners: Fraxiom
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a fun high-flying action match. Fraxiom is part of the SmackDown roster now. It is a great opportunity for them to shine in the blue brand’s tag team division. They had a successful debut, and the future looks bright for the newly called-up NXT team.
Tiffany Stratton vs Jade Cargill
Tiffany Stratton came down to the ring and the fans cheered for the WWE Women’s Champion. She said it was Tiffy time at WrestleMania 41 Saturday and talked about her victory against Charlotte Flair. Jade Cargill interrupted and praised Stratton on her WrestleMania performance. She said that her business with Naomi is finished as well and she’s here for the world title. Tiffany called out a referee and we got a match.
They were at a stalemate in the early going of the match. Jade delivered a backbreaker and Tiffany replied with a running hip attack. Cargill hit a Spinebuster for a two-count. After the break, Stratton landed a rolling senton. She went for an Alabama Slam, but Cargill caught her and landed a powerbomb for a near fall.
Cargill hit a suplex off the middle rope, sending Stratton to the outside. Naomi attacked Cargill, and the match culminated in a disqualification. Naomi sent Jade into the ring post. Nia Jax attacked Stratton out of nowhere. She delivered a Leg Drop and an Annihilator.
Winner: Jade Cargill via DQ.
Grades: B
Analysis: It was a good match. The ending involving Naomi was expected. Cargill and Naomi had a great match at WrestleMania 41, and it looks like another encounter is loading, maybe with an added stipulation. Nia Jax’s arrival was a surprise. We haven’t seen her for a while now and she looks like a fresh challenger for Tiffany’s Women’s Championship.
Jacob Fatu’s first challenger
Jacob Fatu, the new United States Champion, arrived in the ring alongside Solo Sikoa. Fatu had the title around his neck and the fans chanted his name. Solo had the microphone, and he started taking credit for Fatu’s victory. Sikoa said that he brought Fatu here and he was the only one that believed in him. Solo said that Fatu is a champion because of him. Jacob didn’t approve and reminded Solo that he told him that he’d bring the title to the family with or without Sikoa. LA Knight arrived and he demanded his rematch for the US Title.
Drew McIntyre came out as well and boasted his win against Damian Priest at WrestleMania 41 Sunday. Drew said that he was the rightful challenger for the world title, but Orton stepped up. McIntyre hilariously called WWE the World Wrestling nepo-tainment. McIntyre said that he wanted to fight the baddest champion and he’d fight Jacob Fatu. A match was made official between Knight and McIntyre to become the #1 contender for the US Title.
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a strong segment. Jacob Fatu is off to a big start as the United States Champion. The tensions were clear between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. It looks like it’s a matter of weeks before one of them turns on the other.
Chelsea Green (c) vs Zelina Vega – WWE Women’s US Championship
Chelsea’s partners Alba Fyre and Piper Niven made distractions and Green dropkicked Vega. Back in the ring, Zelina landed a suplex and a meteora for a two-count. Green went for the U-Pretty-Her, but Vega countered it with a backstabber. The referee finally caught Fyre and Niven’s involvement and escorted them out of the ringside area. Zelina delivered a Code Red and pinned Chelsea to become the new Women’s US Champion.
Winner: Zelina Vega
Grades: C
Analysis: It was an unexpected title change on WWE SmackDown April 25 Results. Chelsea Green’s run was fading as champion, and it was the right call for Zelina Vega to capture the title. Green can be a good entertainer, and WWE should focus on her potential.
Aleister Black has returned
The Miz arrived in the ring. He said that he had been a part of every WrestleMania in some capacity since 2007. However, he was nowhere this year. He basked in his win over Cena in a WrestleMania main event. Miz said that we got a replacement for Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio, but no one remembered that the A-Lister could fill that spot. He said that he’s the must-see superstar and is tired of people showing up in WWE.
The lights went off in the arena and we saw Aleister Black on the ramp. Black entered the ring and sat in his classic cross-legged style. The fans cheered and chanted “Welcome back”. The lights came back, and Black delivered a Black Mass to Miz. Black sat back in the middle again as the light went dark with his theme song playing in the back.
Grades: B+
Analysis: It is great to see Aleister Black back on WWE TV. WWE booked the return in a simple but decent way. Black should rise to the top slowly while making new fans with his unmatched skills. Black’s dark gimmick provides him an opportunity for creatively unique feuds and we’re looking forward to that.
Drew McIntyre vs LA Knight
The winner will get an opportunity for the United States Championship. McIntyre hit a shoulder tackle, but Knight responded with a backdrop. Drew delivered a brain buster for a two-count. Knight countered Drew’s suplex into a suplex of his own. Knight landed a Russian leg sweep and a jumping neck breaker for another two-count. Solo Sikoa arrived at ringside and hit a Samoan Spike on Knight. McIntyre was confused but he prepared for the Claymore.
Damian Priest appeared out of nowhere and grabbed McIntyre as the match ended in a disqualification. Priest sent McIntyre through the commentary table with a chokeslam. Knight confronted Priest but Fatu laid them out with a suicide dive. Fatu hit running hip attacks on both Knight and Priest followed by a moonsault on Knight.
Winner: Drew McIntyre via DQ.
Grades: B+
Analysis: It was a good match while it lasted. Jacob Fatu has had a strong start as the US Champion on SmackDown. It looks like he has multiple challengers, and WWE can go with a 4-way feud involving Fatu, Knight, Priest, and McIntyre.
Backstage
John Cena was stopped by R-Truth backstage. Truth congratulated Cena on winning the title. He told Cena to give him a call whenever he needs him. Cena left and Jimmy Uso arrived. Uso asked Truth about Cena’s recent behavior. Truth called Cena a true champion and hilariously said that he wanted to be like Cena when he grows up.
Street Profits (c) vs DIY vs Motor City Machine Guns – TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships
The main event of the night was the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs triple threat match for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Very much happened in the match, and we’ll look at a few highlighting moments. DIY got the upper hand in the start. Gargano and Ciampa grabbed a ladder, but Sabin and Shelley landed stereo baseball slides. Sabin went for a suicide dive, but Gargano caught him with a midair chair shot. Dawkins landed a 360 splash onto the MCMGs. Sabin put a chair on Ford’s face allowing Shelley to land a brutal dropkick.
Later, Ford took out everyone with a flying senton to the outside. In the ring, Gargano jumped from one ladder and hit a flatliner on Ford who was on the other ladder. Dawkins delivered a Silencer off the ladder on Gargano. Ciampa caught Sabin with a brain buster onto a chair. Street Profits did the Dudley Boyz’ “Get the Tables” gesture. Sabin landed a splash on Dawkins from the top rope through the table at ringside.
Ford placed Ciampa on a table and landed a senton crashing through the table. On the apron, Sabin and Shelley caught Gargano and delivered Skull and Bones through another table on the outside. In the ring, Ciampa hung with the titles as Motor City Machine Guns pulled a ladder from beneath him. A table was placed in the middle and Dawkins landed a midair spear on Ciampa from a ladder, sending Ciampa crashing through the table onto the mat. In the end, Street Profits retained the titles as Ford grabbed the championship belts.
Winners: Street Profits
Grades: A+
Analysis: It was a crazy and insane TLC match in the main event. This match deserved a spot on the WrestleMania card. All three teams gave their all in the ring in an epic encounter. It was full of hard-hitting and high-flying spots. No matter the winners, everyone got to shine in the match. It reminded of the iconic TLC Match at WrestleMania 17 between The Hardy Boyz, The Dudley Boyz, and Edge and Christian.
Overall, it was a must-watch SmackDown episode. It was awesome from start to finish. John Cena and Randy Orton set the tone for the show in an epic face-off. Aleister Black has returned to WWE. The main event was absolute madness, and another TLC banger made history, specifically representing the tag team division. What’s your take on WWE SmackDown April 25 Results?
