WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (January 03, 2025): Kevin Owens strikes again; Tiffany Stratton pins Nia Jax & The Bloodline's dominance continues
(Courtesy : WWE)
DIY retains against MCMG, LA Knight attacks Shinsuke Nakamura, Drew McIntyre hugs Cody Rhodes & more!
The first episode of Friday Night SmackDown in 2025 aired live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The 01/03 episode marked a milestone as it was a three-hour show, kicking off the Blue brand’s transition to the new format. This special episode became the first of its kind, setting the tone for what would be a game-changing year.
The Stamford-based promotion began the year with an electrifying Friday Night SmackDown. Multiple top stars were advertised for the show including Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens, and more.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 12/27 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Cody Rhodes kicks off 2025!
Rhodes made his way into the ring amid much fanfare as he picked up the mic to address the Arizona crowd. Cody greeted the Phoenix crowd and stated that WWE was on the cusp of changing everything, starting tonight with SmackDown going to three hours and Raw heading to Netflix.
The American Nightmare revealed that he was not cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. Rhodes reflected on his title defense against Owens at the Royal Rumble PLE. Drew McIntyre‘s music hit as the Scottish Warrior made his way through the entrance ramp.
Drew revealed that he wasn’t there to hurt him, but to help him and that Rhodes wasn’t on his list. McIntyre stated that this was the greatest generation of the company and, if you looked at the numbers, it was the best. He emphasized that Cody was the quarterback of it all. The Scottish Warrior called Kevin Owens an idiot, accusing him of running with a fake title.
Drew stated that he saw Cody needed a friend, but Rhodes interrupted him. Rhodes said that if McIntyre was going to tell the truth, then he would also tell the truth. The Champion then remarked that he would love to say Drew had become a beast, not just inside the ring but on the microphone as well, but he didn’t believe it.
Rhodes asked Drew to cut the facade and just admit if he wanted a shot at the title. Drew replied that he was telling the truth and that he wasn’t there to hurt him but to help him.
McIntyre stepped onto the edge of the ring and told Cody to watch his back. At that moment, Kevin Owens ambushed Rhodes again, attacking his neck.
KO stared at McIntyre as he continued to assault Rhodes, who began to fight back. WWE officials and security rushed in, and a brawl broke out. Security dragged Kevin Owens out of the ring as others held Cody inside to diffuse the situation.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Andrade
The bell rang as Nakamura charged toward Andrade, but Andrade fought back, launching the champion out of the arena. He then landed a moonsault from the second rope, taking Nakamura out.
Back from the commercials, Andrade was still in control as Nakamura fought back, utilizing his striking range. Nakamura climbed to the second rope and took Andrade down with a knee. Shinsuke went for the cover, but Andrade kicked out.
Shinsuke exposed the turnbuckle, similar to their last match, but Andrade pushed him onto the exposed turnbuckle. Andrade then landed a running double knee and went for the cover, but Nakamura kicked out.
Andrade went to the ropes, landed a moonsault on his second attempt, and went for the pin again, but Nakamura kicked out. Andrade hit Nakamura with a brutal spinning back elbow and again went for the cover, but Nakamura kicked out once more.
Both men were on the second rope, and Nakamura dropped Andrade face-first onto the ring post. Nakamura lined up Andrade for the Kinshasa and connected, picking up the win via pinfall to retain the US Championship.
LA Knight‘s music hit as he darted into the ring, immediately starting to beat down Nakamura. Knight went for the BFT, but Nakamura managed to escape and rolled out of the ring.
Knight grabbed the mic and warned Nakamura, saying he would come for his title and would stomp Nakamura to dust every time he came around.
Backstage
Pretty Deadly confronted Apollo Crews, mocking him for telling the truth to the Street Profits. Crews reiterated that it wasn’t Los Lotharios who attacked the Street Profits, but DIY.
Legado Del Fantasma then appeared, with Santos Escobar asking Pretty Deadly to lie to their faces if they wanted to deny the truth about them. Pretty Deadly tried to diffuse the situation, but things quickly turned ugly as Legado Del Fantasma attacked them.
Back from commercials, General Manager Nick Aldis and security rushed in to break up the brawl. Afterward, Aldis told Pretty Deadly to stay, as he had something to discuss with them.
General Manager Nick Aldis is with Preety Deadly as DIY steps in and asks why Aldis is taking Apollo Crews’ word instead of these gentlemen. Aldis states that he uses his mind and leaves.
Ciampa and Gargano attempt to persuade Preety Deadly that they have their tag title defense against MCMG tonight and that the two should help them.
Michin vs Piper Niven
Niven started the match, showcasing her brute force, while Michin fought back with her quickness, sending Niven outside the ring.
In the final moments, Niven went for a cannonball, but Michin rolled out of the way, causing Niven to crash. Michin then landed a cannonball of her own, taking Niven down.
Niven responded with a vicious piper driver, but Michin kicked out at two, keeping the match alive. Piper climbed to the top rope, but Michin countered with a knee, stunning Niven.
Michin followed up with an Eat Defeat on Niven and went for the cover, picking up the win. She celebrated her win by mocking US Champion Chelsea Green.
Paul Heyman
“The Wiseman” Paul Heyman stood in the ring with a microphone, addressing the Phoenix crowd. Heyman began by wanting to set the record straight ahead of the upcoming tribal combat match to decide the “real tribal chief.”
He revealed that he and Roman Reigns had trained and prepared Solo Sikoa to be the next in line for the moment when Reigns was ready to step down as the “Head of all of WWE.” Heyman then revisited the mishap at WrestleMania, where Reigns lost, and Sikoa stole the Ula Fala from Roman’s bag.
The Wiseman reiterated that Sikoa had stolen the Ula Fala and gotten rid of both Jimmy Uso and him, creating chaos in the Bloodline. Heyman then called Sikoa’s Bloodline a “bunch of filthy animals” and mentioned that Jacob Fatu wasn’t allowed outside the New York prison system. He claimed that Sikoa did all of this because no one would acknowledge him.
Paul Heyman then cut a passionate promo, hyping up the upcoming clash between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa on January 6, stating that the winner would be “Your Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns. Solo Sikoa’s music then hit, and he made his way down the entrance ramp to confront Heyman.
Solo Sikoa – Paul Heyman segment
Solo Sikoa stood in the ring as the “OTC” chants filled the arena. Paul Heyman nervously admitted that he was “ten seconds away from pissing his pants,” recalling how the last time they were in this situation, Sikoa put him through a table in front of his family.
Sikoa nodded in agreement as the crowd erupted into “Yeet!” chants. Solo asked for the mic, and after a brief hesitation, Heyman handed it over. Sikoa then asked the Phoenix crowd to acknowledge him, and the Target Center erupted, showering him with applause.
Solo then turned to Heyman and asked if he owed CM Punk a favor. Heyman reluctantly agreed. Sikoa continued, stating that he needed someone trustworthy and who loved his family to hold the Ula Fala during the upcoming tribal combat match.
He then told Heyman that if Roman Reigns were to beat him on Monday, Heyman would put the Ula Fala around Reigns’ neck, acknowledging Roman as the “OTC.”
However, when Sikoa defeats Reigns in the tribal combat match, Heyman would have to place the Ula Fala around his neck, signaling to the world that Solo owns the necklace and Paul Heyman as well declaring that Paul would be Solo’s Wiseman forever.
Solo then handed the mic back to Paul Heyman, who, visibly shaken and hesitant, dropped the microphone. He quickly left the ring, looking both confused and frightened, as the crowd reacted to the intense tension in the air.
DIY (c) vs MCMG – World Tag Team Championship
Shelley was the official man in the match as he attacked Ciampa’s arm, then tagged in Sabin. The Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG) worked together to take down Ciampa with a double-team maneuver. Ciampa fought back and tagged in Gargano, who stepped into the ring but was quickly sent outside by MCMG.
“This is Awesome” chants filled the arena as the match continued, Ciampa became the official man in the match, unleashing brutal chops on Shelley.
Shelley fought back with chops of his own before tagging in Sabin. The two former champions teamed up, hunting for the finish, but Pretty Deadly darted in and interfered, causing chaos. Gargano and Ciampa regrouped and double-teamed Sabin, looking to take the match home.
Los Garzas then rushed in, charging toward Pretty Deadly, and the two teams engaged in a brawl on the outside as the match continued inside the ring.
Shelley and Sabin locked in a submission hold on the tag champions, moments away from winning the title, when Pretty Deadly and Los Garzas brought their fight into the ring, causing the match to be ruled a disqualification. As a result, DIY retained their World Tag Team Championship via disqualification!
Backstage
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae were backstage, with the Women’s Champion noting that she hadn’t seen Tiffany Stratton today and that she wasn’t even backstage.
LeRae argued that Stratton only made things more complicated, adding that it was a good thing she wasn’t around. Jax then asked LeRae to make sure that Bianca Belair stayed out of her way during the match.
Sami Zayn was backstage when Carmelo Hayes showed up, claiming that he would have beaten Zayn last week if it weren’t for Braun Strowman. Just then, Jimmy and Jey Uso walked in, with Jimmy asking if there was a problem. Hayes, not realizing the tension, replied that he had the situation under control.
The Usos then confronted Hayes, causing him to retreat and quickly leave the scene. Zayn and The Usos then embraced each other. The trio discussed their upcoming six-man tag match against The Bloodline later that night.
As the Usos made their way out, they ran into Kevin Owens. Jey told Owens to watch where he was going, to which Owens shot back, warning the Usos to watch their backs.
General Manager Nick Aldis catches up with Cody Rhodes who is backstage. Aldis asks if he is okay and asks him to care for the future of the company and his future and if he is not going to do he will.
Rhodes states that Aldis is a good boss and as much as he has the right he also has the right as a champion to fight back. Cody ends the segment by stating that if he sees Kevin Owens or anyone that resembles him he will ‘drop them on sight.’
Nia Jax (c) vs Naomi – WWE Women’s Championship
The match was underway, with Naomi trying to take control, but Nia Jax quickly countered by taking down the challenger with a headbutt. Jax then picked Naomi up, but Naomi fought back, landing a sunset flip to try and finish the match. Jax kicked out at two.
Naomi took down Jax with a split-legged drop and went for the cover, but Jax kicked out at two again. Naomi then landed a powerful Samoan drop on Jax, leaving the crowd in awe. But Jax kicked out once more at two.
The challenger dragged Jax into the corner, setting up for a moonsault, but Jax intercepted her, preventing the high-flying move. Jax fought back with a crushing leg drop from the second rope and went for the cover, but somehow Naomi kicked out at two, keeping the match alive.
The battle continued as the series of close pinfalls persisted throughout the break, with both Naomi and Nia Jax giving it their all. Naomi then locked in a modified submission hold, but Candice LeRae attempted to interfere. Bianca Belair darted in, taking out LeRae and neutralizing the distraction.
Jax, who had broken the hold, stepped outside and used her title belt to take out Belair. Back inside the ring, Naomi and Jax found themselves on the top rope, and both women took each other out in a dramatic collision.
Suddenly, Tiffany Stratton’s music hit, and she dashed into the ring, declaring that she wanted to cash in her Money in the Bank contract. In a shocking turn, Stratton attacked the official and then assaulted Naomi with the MITB briefcase, leaving the challenger vulnerable.
Taking full advantage of the situation, Jax landed her signature Annihilator on Naomi and secured the pinfall to retain her title.
Tiffany Stratton cashes in
After the match, Nia Jax attacked Bianca Belair, but Tiffany Stratton quickly retaliated, hitting Jax with the MITB briefcase. Stratton then followed up by taking out Candice LeRae.
Belair, recovering from the earlier attack, landed her KOD on Nia Jax, knocking her out. However, Stratton wasn’t done as she tossed Belair onto the announcer’s table, taking her out of the equation.
In a shocking twist, Stratton cashed in her MITB contract on her friend, Nia Jax, to challenge for the title. Stratton climbed to the top and hit the prettiest moonsault on Jax, covering her for the pin. The referee counted—One, Two, Three!
Tiffany Stratton became the new WWE Women’s Champion defeating Nia Jax and creating history!
Backstage
Solo Sikoa made his way to the ring, accompanied by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Fatu, full of emotion, shouted, “I love you, Solo!” He then declared that the whole world would acknowledge Sikoa once he defeated Roman Reigns on Monday.
As the tension built, The Bloodline made their way to the ring for the main event of the evening, set to face Sami Zayn and The Usos. The atmosphere was electric as both sides prepared for an explosive showdown.
Byron Saxton interviews LA Knight as he asks him about the attack on Nakamura earlier the night. Knight reveals why General Manager Nick Aldis asked him about attacking Nakamura.
Knight reiterates that every time he sees Nakamura he will beat him up. Knight then announces that the match between him and Shinsuke for the United States title is official for next week.
The Bloodline vs Sami Zayn & The Usos
The bell rang, and it looked like Jimmy Uso and Tonga Loa were about to kick off the action in the six-man tag match. However, instead of immediately engaging, the two locked eyes, sharing a tense staredown. The anticipation grew, and then they collided in the center of the ring, leading to a chaotic brawl.
The fight spilled across the ring, with each team briefly gaining the upper hand before the other retook control. As the six-man tag match continued, Drew McIntyre appeared at ringside. Jey ducked under an attack from Fatu and launched himself through the ropes taking out McIntyre with a suicide dive.
Inside the ring, Fatu delivered a devastating pop-up Samoan drop on Jey Uso and went for the cover, but Jey managed to kick out.
As “OTC” chants filled the arena, Fatu tagged in Solo Sikoa. Jey, fighting back, took down Fatu with a spear. He then climbed to the top rope, not realizing that Sikoa was now the official man in the match. Jey landed the Uso Splash and went for the cover, hoping to secure the win without realizing the tag was made.
However, Sikoa walked in, delivering the Samoan Spike on Jey Uso, immediately sealing the victory for his team in the main event of the 01/03 SmackDown. Solo Sikoa along with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga stood in the middle of the ring as they pointed to the sky.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade
- Michin defeated Piper Niven
- World Tag Team Championship – DIY (c) vs MCMG ends in DQ
- Nia Jax (c) defeated Naomi – WWE Women’s Championship
- Tiffany Stratton cashed in & pinned Nia Jax to become the new WWE Women’s Champion
- The Bloodline defeated Sami Zayn & The Usos
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