WWE SmackDown January 3 Results, Grades and Analysis 

WWE presented the first-ever SmackDown of 2025 from Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It also marked the first-ever 3-hour episode of SmackDown. The show featured further tensions between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens. Nia Jax faced Naomi in a Women’s Championship match. Surprisingly, a new champion was also crowned on the show. Let’s delve into the details of WWE SmackDown January 3 Results.  

Cody Rhodes kicked off the New Year 

WWE SmackDown opened with Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring and getting a thunderous ovation from the crowd. Cody shared his excitement about SmackDown going to three hours and Raw moving to Netflix. Rhodes said he is not cleared to wrestle due to Kevin Owens. However, Cody vowed to take on Owens in a ladder match at Royal Rumble 2025.  

Drew McIntyre interrupted Cody and made his way to the ring. Drew hugged Cody, leaving Cody looking confused. Drew explained that he was not there to hurt Cody but to help him. He praised Cody’s hard work and dedication in recent years, calling this the greatest era of the company with the best in-ring talents of all time. Drew said that Kevin Owens is going here and there with a replica title, and Cody needs a friend as he’s injured.  

Cody praised Drew for carrying WWE through its darkest times and acknowledged his improvement over the past few years. However, Cody admitted that he doesn’t believe Drew’s intentions. Cody suggested that if Drew wants a shot at the championship, they should go for it. Drew insisted he was there to help Cody, not hurt him. Drew warned Cody to watch his back. As Drew dropped from the apron, Kevin Owens attacked Cody from behind. WWE officials rush out to break up the brawl. 

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: It was a brilliant segment to kick off Friday Night SmackDown. Drew McIntyre’s appearance came as a surprise. This interaction teased a future showdown between Cody and Drew. In the end, Owens continued his assault on Cody as he delivered a cheap shot like last week on SmackDown.  

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade (Non-Title Match) 

The match began with Andrade delivering a hurricanrana, followed by a dropkick, which sent Nakamura outside the ring. Climbing to the top rope, Andrade landed a spectacular moonsault. Back from the break, Nakamura retaliated with multiple kicks and a snap German Suplex. Nakamura ascended the second rope and delivered a knee to Andrade’s face for a two count.  

Nakamura removed the top turnbuckle pad, but Andrade countered with a dropkick and a running meteora. Andrade landed the standing moonsault for a nearfall. Ilammed Andrade’s face onto the top of the ring post and delivered the Kinshasa for victory. After the match, LA Knight rushed to the ring, clotheslining Nakamura. He attempted the BFT, but Nakamura escaped. LA Knight declared on the mic that he would come to collect what was his, with everyone saying, “LA Knight, Yeah!” 

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura 

Analysis: It was a decent match. Andrade delivered a powerful performance, and he will get the US Title sooner in 2025. Knight will receive his rematch soon.  

Michin vs. Piper Niven with Chelsea Green 

Michin started strong with kicks and a hurricanrana, sending Piper Niven to the outside. Michin followed up with another hurricanrana off the ring apron. Piper used her strength and slammed Michin onto the floor. Michin countered Niven’s cannonball and delivered a cannonball of her own in the corner.  

Piper recovered with the Piper Driver for a nearfall. Niven climbed the second rope and jumped, but Michin countered with a kick, followed by Eat Defeat. Michin secured the pin. 

Winner: Michin 

Analysis: Chelsea Green’s theatrics at ringside are always fun to watch. Michin will possibly challenge for the Women’s US Championship in the coming weeks.  

Paul Heyman returned 

Paul Heyman was in the ring, and he introduced himself. He announced that on Monday, we will discover who the real Tribal Chief is. Heyman explained that he and Roman Reigns trained Solo Sikoa to be the next Tribal Chief, but that was for the future, not now. Heyman recounted that Solo Sikoa stole the Ula Fala from Roman during the main event of WrestleMania 40.  

As Heyman was about to leave, Solo Sikoa made his entrance to the ring. Heyman admitted that he was close to panicking because the last time he said Solo was not his Tribal Chief, he was sent through a table. Solo extended his hand, requesting the microphone. He asked for a favour. On Monday, Solo needs someone who loves his family to hold the Ula Fala during the Tribal Combat match.  

Solo declared that if Roman beats him on Raw on Netflix, he will acknowledge Roman as his Tribal Chief. But if he wins, he will wear the Ula Fala around his neck, making it known that he owns it and owns Heyman. 

Grades: A 

Analysis: It was a strong segment to build up to the Tribal Combat match on Monday Night Raw on Netflix on January 06. Solo delivered a powerful statement and looked confident. 

WWE Tag Team Championships – DIY (c’s) vs. Motor City Machine Guns 

Sabin and Ciampa started the match in the ring. Ciampa hit a big boot, and Sabin landed a kick on the face, leaving both men down. Gargano and Alex were tagged in, and Alex delivered a neckbreaker. MCMG delivered a double baseball slide. All four men returned to the ring and knocked each other down. Machine Guns attempted Skull and Bones on Ciampa, but Pretty Deadly ran down, causing a distraction.  

Legado Del Fantasma chased Pretty Deadly away. The Motor City Machine Guns applied crossfaces on DIY. Pretty Deadly were chased into the ring and accidentally fell onto DIY, causing the referee to call for the bell. 

Winners: No contest  

Grades: B- 

Analysis: This was a chaotic and dramatic match, leaving the WWE Tag Team Championship still with DIY. WWE is trying to create some hype around the tag team division, which is good, but it will take some time.  

WWE Women’s Title Match – Nia Jax (c) vs. Naomi  

Candice LeRae and Bianca Belair were at ringside. Naomi started with kicks, but Nia countered with a headbutt. Nia slammed Naomi onto the mat and delivered an elbow drop. Naomi gained momentum as she landed a leg drop from the middle rope, but Nia kicked out. Naomi landed a suicide dive on the outside and a Samoan drop in the ring for a nearfall. Nia delivered a leg drop and climbed the ropes. Naomi tripped her and delivered a tornado DDT for a two-count. 

Candice tried to distract her, but Bianca threw her into the barricade. Nia went outside and sent Bianca into the barricade. Nia went for the Annihilator in the ring, but Naomi moved out of the way. Tiffany Stratton ran out, intending to cash in, but decided not to. With the referee distracted, Tiffany hit Naomi with the briefcase. Nia took advantage and delivered the Annihilator for the win. 

Bianca entered the ring, but Nia knocked her down. Tiffany saw her moment and hit Nia with the briefcase. She got rid of Candice by sending her into the ring post. Bianca hit Nia with the KOD, and Tiffany threw Bianca outside. Tiffany cashed in, landed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and pinned Jax.  

Winner: New WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton 

Grades: A dramatic finish and a great cash-in. The moment would have been more significant if it happened on a PLE. Tiffany Stratton is your new WWE Women’s Champion. This will bring the interest to the blue brand’s women’s division.  

The Bloodline vs. Sami Zayn and The Usos 

The action started with all six men fighting in the ring. After the break, Sami Zayn delivered a clothesline to Tama and tagged in Jimmy Uso. Jimmy ran to the ropes, but Solo attacked him from behind. Sami hit Solo with a spinning Solo and a Blue Thunder Bomb. Jey and Jimmy double-teamed Tama, and Jacob Fatu got clotheslined to the outside along with Jimmy. Jey hit a neckbreaker on Tama for a two-count.  

At ringside, Jacob threw Jimmy into the barricade while Sami landed a splash on Jacob. Jey knocked Solo down from the apron. Tama hit Jey with a DDT for a nearfall. Jey and Sami knocked down The Bloodline outside with suicide dives. Jimmy landed the Uso Splash on Fatu but didn’t secure the pin. Jacob responded with a splash onto Jimmy, followed by a moonsault. Fatu went for the cover, but Sami somehow broke it.  

The Usos hit Jacob with a double superkick. Drew McIntyre walked down and distracted Jey. Jacob tried to take advantage, but Jey countered with a suicide dive onto Drew. Fatu delivered a pop-up Samoan Drop to Jey in the ring for a nearfall. Jey superkicked Solo and speared Fatu. Jey landed the Uso splash on Jacob and covered. Sikoa came in and delivered a Samoan Spike to Jey for the win. 

Winners: The Bloodline 

Analysis: A fun main event match to cap off WWE SmackDown. Drew McIntyre caused an issue for the OG Bloodline. Solo needed to look strong before the mega Tribal Combat match on Raw. 

The first SmackDown of the year was also the first three-hour episode to air, and it’s clear that WWE is still figuring out how to utilize all that extra time effectively. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Tiffany Stratton cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase to win the Women’s Championship. The crowd’s reaction was explosive, marking the beginning of “Tiffy Time” in WWE. Did you enjoy WWE SmackDown January 3 Results?