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Friday Night SmackDown Review - May 23, 2025

5/23/2025

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By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair Confronted WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton

Stratton's promo recapping who she's beaten lately was fairly basic, but the crowd was hot for her, regardless. Bliss and Flair interrupting her was interesting as either one of them could be next to challenge Stratton, but I sure as hell hope it's Bliss if only because it's unnecessary to revisit the Stratton vs. Flair feud just yet. Bliss and Flair have interacted every week since Bliss returned to SmackDown, so this continued that as well.​

Giulia def. Women's United States Champion Zelina Vega and Charlotte Flair in a Triple Threat Match to Qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match (Non-Title)

These three had quality chemistry and put together a good Triple Threat. It won't be remembered a week from now (especially there being so many Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifiers with the men and the women on both brands), but it was cool seeing Giulia and Flair share the ring for the first time (and hopefully not the last time). Giulia pinning Vega to advance was absolutely the right call. Fingers crossed that means Giulia will eventually set her sights on the Women's United States Championship.

Tommaso Ciampa def. Chris Sabin

The #DIY vignette that aired right before this bout was well done. WWE has done an effective job of keeping SmackDown's tag team division exciting even after that awesome Triple Threat TLC match last month. Despite the crowd being quiet, this was a nice match from these two and I love the decision to pair Candice LeRae with #DIY. Obviously, LeRae is married to Gargano, but they being consistently associated with each other on television since their NXT days.

Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre Brawled

We've practically seen it all from Priest and McIntyre during their lengthy on-and-off feud over the last year-plus, so there wasn't anything more they could do here to hype their Steel Cage match at Saturday Night's Main Event that they haven't already done. That said, this was a simple brawl and it didn't overstay its welcome. I'm looking forward to seeing what both guys after this rivalry is over.

B-Fab and Michin def. The Secret Hervice

Chelsea Green mocked Vega's loss backstage, which led to these teams brawling and this match being made by Nick Aldis. B-Fab and Michin feuded with Green and her group for what felt like months earlier this year, so this was nothing new, but it was an acceptable outing for as long as it lasted. Vega and Green will finally have their rematch for the Women's U.S. title at Saturday Night's Main Event.

JC Mateo and United States Champion Jacob Fatu def. Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix

I understand this was a logical match to do after Sikoa and Mateo cost Uso and Fenix the opportunity to qualify for the men's Money in the Bank Ladder match in last week's Triple Threat, but I really wish Fenix could be put in a position to start winning matches again. Thankfully, he wasn't the one pinned this week. This was a well-worked tag team match and we got more tension between Fatu and Mateo. Mateo scoring the win was smart so he could establish more credibility for himself.

R-Truth Addressed Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena

I mistakenly thought Cena was appearing in person on this show, but apparently not. They did announce he'll be back on SmackDown next week to address whatever happens with him and Truth at Saturday Night's Main Event. This was a fine promo from Truth and there wasn't anything wrong with what he said, but I expected it to be better considering how much history they have and how beloved Truth is. With the median age between them being 50, I'm skeptical as to whether their match will deliver tomorrow night.

LA Knight def. Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black in a Triple Threat Match to Qualify for the Men's Money in the Bank Ladder Match (Non-Title)

It's laughable that Nakamura was even involved in this given that he hasn't won a match that's mattered in months. Of course, he was only there to eat the loss. It was just a question of who would win, and although I love Black, I'm glad it was Knight. I genuinely have no idea what WWE does with him next if he doesn't win Money in the Bank. He's a natural fit to be in it at the very least. This was an enjoyable Triple Threat, but you could tell the crowd was spent by this point in the show.

WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Fraxiom Ended in a No Contest

The tag team scene taking center stage was sweet, though that was probably because of what happened at the end. Nonetheless, this was an entertaining main event. They busted their asses and the crowd came alive down the stretch. I hate that it had to end without a formal finish, but the crowd clearly didn't mind once The Wyatt Sicks showed up. That was a wonderful moment, especially with it being Bray Wyatt's birthday (the one candle in the cake was a tremendous touch). They're an excellent addition to an already stacked division. Now it's up to WWE to keep their momentum rolling this time (yes, one or two of them were hurt for a bit, but did the whole group have to get benched?).

Overall Show

They definitely closed the show on a high note with that long-awaited Wyatt Sicks return. It had nothing to do with tomorrow night's event, mind you, but even the hype for that was largely solid. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the three-hour format really kills these crowds. There's actually no update on when the two-hour format will return, which is a concerning sign. Otherwise, this was a thumbs-up episode with a lot more to like than not.
SEE MORE: SmackDown Reviews
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