WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (January 17, 2025): Braun Strowman & Jacob Fatu face off; Kevin Owens attacks Rey Mysterio; Roxanne Perez appears
(Courtesy : WWE)
Tiffany Stratton retains, Cody Rhodes saves Rey Mysterio, The Bloodline attacks Jimmy Uso & more!
The Stamford-based promotion packed their bags for San Diego this week as Friday Night SmackDown emanated from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. Two matches were announced for the show along with the return of Solo Sikoa.
The promotion continued building towards the first PLE of 2025, the Royal Rumble, and announced matches and segments for the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event which is set for January 25.
Multiple top stars appeared on the show including Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, LA Knight, Bianca Belair, and many more. The promotion continued building towards the January 25 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event as well as the Royal Rumble 2025 PLE.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 01/17 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Rey Mysterio – Kevin Owens
The Hometon hero, Rey Mysterio kicked off tonight’s show as he made his way towards the ring. Mysterio picked up the mic as the crowd erupted in ‘619’ chants, the WWE legend welcomed the crowd to Friday Night SmackDown!
Rey stated that it was great to be back home in front of his people, his city, his family, and his daughter because there was no better place. Mysterio officially announced his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Mysterio reflected back on his 2006 Royal Rumble victory followed by the World title win and admitted that the competition was heavy that year. Rey named the challengers that were a part of the Rumble that year and stated that it would be tough and that he won the 2006 Rumble for his friend Eddie Guerrero.
Kevin Owens’ music hit as he stepped into the arena and picked up the mic, the crowd started booing. Owens’ apologies interrupted Mysterio and stated that it was not a secret that he respected him very much. Owens then reflected back on his Mania success and flaunted the Winged Eagle title and decades of himself as the true rightful champion.
KO revealed that he had yet to step into the ring and have a match with ‘legendary’ Rey Mysterio and stated that he was rooting for Mysterio in the Royal Rumble. Kevin asked for a promise that when Mysterio won, he should face him.
Mysterio replied stating that he loved competition but he was not the champion, Cody was the champion, but if he won the Rumble and KO won, he would gladly face him for the title. KO started off by yelling that he was the champion as Mysterio tried to calm him down and stated that KO reminded him of his son Dominik Mysterio.
Owens tried to attack Mysterio with the title as Rey ducked and attacked KO. Mysterio went for the attack, but KO cleverly rolled out of the arena.
Backstage
Bianca Belair asked Naomi if they had found out who was behind the attack on Jade Cargill as Naomi replied that she hadn’t yet.
Bianca then apologized for the unintentional attack last week during the fatal 4-way match. Naomi replied that she understood it was unintentional as the tag champions embraced.
The two tag champions discussed their match against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae as Naomi asked Belair to wrap her braid for good measure. Belair agreed as she wrapped her braid. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae’s music hit as the two stars made their way toward the ring for the tag match against the Women’s Tag Champions.
Rey Mysterio and General Manager Nick Aldis were backstage. Aldis stated that he would give Mysterio what he wanted, which was a match against KO in San Diego. Cody Rhodes stepped out of the doctor’s room and stated that he saw what happened there and he wasn’t cleared, otherwise, he would have handled it.
Mysterio stated that he had it under control and he would leave something for Cody at the Rumble. Aldis stated that Mysterio was right and Cody should focus on recovery before his clash at the first PLE and asked what the doctor said.
Rhodes replied that the doctor cleared him as Aldis stated that a lot could happen between now and then. Aldis then revealed the contract for the clash at the Rumble as he wanted to avoid what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Rhodes asked if KO signed it, and Aldis revealed that he was his next stop as Cody stated that he would sign it when his opponent did.
Bianca Belair & Naomi vs Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
The bell rang in the non-title tag match as Jax attacked Naomi. Belair confronted her, but LeRae attacked Bianca as the referee tried to get things under control. Belair and Jax started the action as Nia tagged in Candice. Belair took control of the match as she started attacking LeRae.
In the final moments of the match, LeRae and Jax were in control as they attacked Belair and looked for the cover. ‘This is awesome’ chants filled the arena, and Belair fired back.
Jax attacked Belair with the leg drop, but Bianca moved out of harm’s way, causing Jax to crash onto LeRae. Belair tagged in Naomi, who landed the Bubba bomb on LeRae and picked up the win in the first match via pinfall.
Backstage
WWE played a clip of Byron Saxton interviewing Bayley ahead of the title clash against Tiffany Stratton tonight in San Diego and asking what this match meant for her.
Bayley stated that the night was huge for her. Bayley reflected on her last year’s Rumble win and her clash against her friend Iyo Sky for the title. Bayley revealed that she loved the competition, but her title reign was cut short because of Stratton, which helped Jax win the title.
The former champion stated that tonight it was personal and she wanted to beat Stratton to win the title back.
Michin and B-Fab were in the locker room as the two discussed Michin’s US title loss to Chelsea Green last week. Michin complained about the numbers game as Fab tried to sympathize with her. Piper Niven walked in as she checked the area for threats. Niven informed Green that the area was secure.
Chelsea Green walked in and asked Michin to properly greet the US Champion. Michin stood up to confront the champion as B-Fab tried to diffuse the situation by stepping in the middle and reminding Green that she had won only because of Niven.
Niven stepped in and warned B-Fab to back off, but B-Fab fired back, floating the idea of a match between her and Niven that night. Michin laughed and said, “That’s what a threat sounds like.” Michin left as Green said that Niven needed to take care of B-Fab that night. Niven just replied with, “Head.”
Carmelo Hayes vs Jimmy Uso
Jimmy was in the ring as Carmelo Hayes‘ music hit and he made his walk for the clash. Hayes walked in with the mic as he asked what Jimmy had. Carmelo stated that he was living in the shadow of his brother, who was living in the shadow of Roman Reigns.
Hayes continued mocking Uso as he asked Jimmy to strap his boots real tight because ‘Melo didn’t miss! Hayes made his walk into the ring, but Jimmy was tired of waiting as he picked up Carmelo and dropped him into the ring.
Jimmy picked up Hayes’ shades and wore them to mock Hayes. Hayes and Jimmy both connected with a double clothesline into an unintentional cover. The two stars continued the battle as Hayes looked for the finish while Jimmy fought back with a pop-up Samoan drop.
Jimmy went for the cover, but Hayes kicked out at two. Uso rallied the crowd and went for the splash, but Hayes countered with a First 48, into the cover, but Jimmy kicked out.
Carmelo went to the top rope and went for the drop, but Jimmy countered with a superkick into the cover. Hayes kicked out at two. Hayes rolled Jimmy into the cover, but Uso kicked out as he went for the finish. Jimmy countered with a spear.
Jimmy went to the top rope as Jacob Fatu appeared ringside and Tama Tonga pushed Jimmy from the top rope, causing the disqualification.
Fatu and Tonga continued brutalizing Jimmy as Tonga landed the DDT. Hayes tried to ‘buddy up’ with Fatu and Tonga as Fatu took him out with a brutal clothesline.
Solo Sikoa’s music hit as he made his return since the devastating defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns at the Raw Netflix debut.
Solo Sikoa
Inside the ring accompanied by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa picked up the mic as the San Diego crowd continued booing him. Sikoa got irked by the boos as he dropped the mic, stepped out of the arena, and left without saying a word.
Fatu and Tonga were still in the ring as they looked at each other, confused. Fatu picked up the mic and blasted the crowd, revealing that he was tired of the disrespect. Fatu stated that he didn’t care if the crowd booed them, but he would not let them.
Jacob revealed that he was just getting started as LA Knight‘s music hit. The former US Champion ambushed Fatu from behind and continued the attack on Tonga.
The numbers game took over as Fatu and Tonga took control. Braun Strowman’s music hit as the monster made his way towards the ring.
Tonga went for the splash, but Strowman caught him and slammed him. Strowman came face to face with Fatu as the two faced off. Tonga pulled Fatu out of the ring just in time. Knight and Strowman called on Fatu and Tonga, who retreated back towards backstage.
Backstage
Los Garzas were backstage as Santos Escobar walked in with Elektra Lopez, and the Legado Del Fantasma members embraced each other.
Lopez reminded them that one win wouldn’t make them champions. Escobar agreed and reminded them that no one was handing them respect, and if they wanted respect, they would have to take it. Santos embraced Angel and Berto as they left for the clash against Motor City Machine Guns.
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs Los Garzas (Angel & Berto)
The bell rang as Shelley and Angel started the action in the third match of the evening. Angel took control early as he tagged in Berto, and the double team battered Shelley.
Berto continued the attack as Shelley rallied back and tagged in Chris Sabin. The MCMG double-teamed and turned things around, taking control of the match. In the match’s concluding moment, Angel and Berto looked for the MTY, but Sabin fired back, landing the suicide dive through the ropes, taking out Angel and Berto.
Sabin and Shelley looked for the skull and bones, but Pretty Deadly stepped in to interfere. Pretty Deadly’s interference backfired as the referee was distracted, and Los Garzas’ pin attempt failed.
MCMG took control and landed the skull and bones on Berto for the cover. One, Two, Three! Motor City Machine Guns won against Los Garzas.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis was backstage with the match contract as he met Kevin Owens, who was taping up for his clash against Rey Mysterio. Owens opened up the contract and stated that Cody hadn’t signed it. Aldis revealed that Rhodes wouldn’t sign until KO did.
Owens stated that he wouldn’t sign unless Rhodes did, and he wouldn’t sign anything without reading it. KO left, as Aldis articulated, “That went well!”
Piper Niven vs B-Fab
The bell rang as the two stars locked horns in the middle of the ring. B-Fab took control early as she looked for a quick victory. B-Fab continued the attack as she dropped Niven. Green checked on her friend and tried to motivate her. Green and B-Fab faced off as B-Fab told Green to stay back.
Niven capitalized on the distraction as she attacked B-Fab and followed it up with her finishing move, the Piper Driver, for the cover. Piper Niven pinned B-Fab.
After the match, Green and Niven continued the attack on B-Fab as Michin darted into the ring for the save. Michin stepped in as Green escaped. Michin attacked Niven with a kendo stick.
Niven caught the kendo stick and tried to attack, but Michin landed the drop, causing the kendo stick to crash into Niven’s face as she retreated with Green.
Backstage
Byron Saxton interviews the WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton, ahead of her first title defense against Bayley.
Tiffany Stratton praised Bayley and her many accomplishments, acknowledging her as a veteran in the business. However, she emphasized that despite Bayley’s legendary status, she has been on the main roster for less than a year and has already claimed the championship.
Tiffany pointed out that while Bayley may need to try to recreate her glory days, she, on the other hand, didn’t need to do anything of the sort. She had already secured her place as the champion, showcasing her dominance early in her career.
Rey Mysterio vs Kevin Ownes
The bell rings as the two stars lock horns in the ring, with Kevin Owens starting the match strongly. Rey Mysterio, however, quickly fires back with his agility, using his quickness to evade Owens’ attacks. The crowd rallies behind the legendary Mysterio as Owens lands a solid kick to the gut, but Rey fights back valiantly.
Owens proves his dominance early, shoulder-tackling Mysterio out of the ring. The two continue their feeling-out process before Rey returns to the ring. Owens stays in control, mocking the San Diego crowd as he dominates the pace of the match.
Mysterio finally finds an opening, using Owens’ momentum to send him crashing into the turnbuckle. He follows up with a drop and goes for the cover, but Owens kicks out at two. Rey sets up for the 619, but Owens cuts him off with a brutal kick to the face, shifting the momentum back in his favor.
The battle rages on, and both stars find themselves atop the ropes once more. This time, Mysterio hits a beautiful top-rope dropkick and follows up with another pin attempt, but Owens again kicks out at two. Rey tries to press the advantage, but Owens ducks and lands a devastating stunner. He covers, but Mysterio shows his resilience, kicking out at two.
Owens then climbs to the top rope, looking for a high-impact splash to end the match. But Mysterio has the wherewithal to get his knees up, blocking the impact. Mysterio, sensing the opportunity, lands the 619 and climbs to the top rope for the finishing move.
However, disaster strikes as Owens stumbles into the referee, causing Mysterio to crash into the ropes, crotch-first. Owens seizes the opportunity, delivering a pop-up powerbomb to Mysterio and securing the pinfall victory in front of the hometown crowd. The legend falls, and Owens celebrates his hard-fought win.
After the match, Owens picked up Mysterio and shook his hand but then returned it to the package piledriver. Cody Rhodes darted in for the save as he decimated Owens with multiple punches. Security and officials tried to diffuse the situation as Rhodes stepped out of the ring and ran towards Owens.
Rhodes continued the attack as officials got things under control. KO escaped with the Winged Eagle title as Cody was back in the ring, fired up. Owens flaunted the Winged Eagle title as the two locked eyes.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis was with Cody Rhodes as he stated that he had tried to be very patient with both Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
Aldis went on to say that Rhodes and Owens would be stripped of the title, and they would have to sign the contract in San Antonio, Texas at SNME 2025.
Nick also revealed that someone else would moderate the contract signing, and the moderator would be ‘The Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels.
Additionally, Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu was made official for the January 25 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
DIY confronted Pretty Deadly, with Tommaso Ciampa blasting them for their failed attempt, which had unintentionally helped the Motor City Machine Guns (MCMG) win.
Elton Prince and Kit Wilson stood their ground, with Wilson stating that DIY had already beaten MCMG and would easily do it again. Ciampa, unfazed, mocked Wilson and Price, claiming they would not be getting a title shot. He then left, with Johnny Gargano attempting to calm the situation, saying that it was all “tough love.”
Apollo Crews then appeared, stating that he had tried to warn them, but they didn’t listen. Pretty Deadly, irked by Crews’ comments, left the scene. Out of nowhere, Gargano attacked Crews, warning him to keep DIY’s name out of his mouth.
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Bayley – WWE Women’s Championship
The match was underway as the bell rang, and the two stars locked horns in the main event of the 01/17 show. Former NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was in the audience, keeping a close eye on the action.
Tiffany Stratton and Bayley exchanged shots and moves, each flaunting their skills and confidence in front of one another. The tension between the two was palpable as they went back and forth, trying to gain the upper hand.
The battle continued as Bayley landed a drop from the top rope and went for the cover, but Tiffany Stratton kicked out at two. Bayley climbed to the top rope again, but Stratton intercepted her, causing the former champion to crash ringside. Stratton followed it up with a splash and a powerbomb, covering Bayley, but Bayley kicked out at two.
Tiffany resumed her assault on Bayley’s arm, but Bayley managed to roll Stratton for a quick cover. The action spilled outside the ring as Bayley slammed Tiffany onto the announce desk and then followed up with a drop, sending Stratton head-first onto the concrete floor.
Bayley confronted Roxanne Perez at ringside, before shifting her focus back to Tiffany. Bayley climbed to the top rope and landed an elbow drop, but Stratton kicked out at two. Now hunting for the finish, Tiffany picked up Bayley, who fought back with a Bayley-to-Belly suplex. Stratton kicked out again at two.
Tiffany then went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Bayley intercepted, landing her own offense. Despite the offensive flurry, the champion stayed resilient, kicking out twice.
Stratton finally landed the cartwheel Alabama Slam, followed it up with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and went for the cover. One, Two, Three! Tiffany Stratton retained the WWE Women’s Championship, defeating Bayley in a hard-fought contest.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Bianca Belair & Naomi defeated Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
- Carmelo Hayes vs Jimmy Uso ended in disqualification as Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga attacked Jimmy
- Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated Los Garzas (Angel & Berto)
- Piper Niven pinned B-Fab
- Kevin Owens defeated Rey Mysterio
- Tiffany Stratton (c) defeated Bayley – WWE Women’s Championship
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