WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (January 24, 2025): Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens brawl again; MCMG vs DIY announced for Royal Rumble & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Damian Priest & The Miz transferred to SmackDown, more Royal Rumble announcements, SNME build-up & more!
As the Stamford-based promotion gears up for the January 25 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, storyline and feuds have reached a boiling point. The 01/24 episode of Friday Night SmackDown was the go-home show for SNME.
The 01/24 episode of SmackDown aired live from the Moody Centre in Austin, Texas which is about an hour away from the SNME venue in San Antonio. The promotion continued building towards the January 25 edition of SNME. The show also featured multiple Royal Rumble announcements including a tag title match announcement.
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.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 01/24 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Joe Tessitore interviews Cody Rhodes
‘The American Nightmare‘ Cody Rhodes made his way into the ring as the Austin crowd rallied behind him. Tessitore asked Rhodes about the contract signing, which would be moderated by Shawn Michaels, and about relinquishing the title.
Rhodes picked up the mic and stated that Shawn Michaels was the perfect person for the moderation, as he certainly knew something about ladder matches, and he had no problem handing over the title to the WWE legend. Tessitore reflected on the attack after the match by Kevin Owens on Rhodes and asked him what he thought about this version of Owens.
Rhodes asked the crowd what they thought about Owens, and the crowd started booing. Cody called KO a genius and a hell of an athlete, but when KO was faced with a choice, Owens chose the easy way.
Cody then talked about their upcoming ladder match and hyped up the match between the two at Lucas Oil Stadium. Joe then asked about the contract signing the next day and what Cody’s message to Owens was.
Rhodes replied that when Owens pressed his buttons, he reminded everyone that he had defeated Raw’s Ring General and one of the most dominant champions and that he was as mean as they could get. Cody finished the interview by stating that he had only one thing to say to KO: “Good luck.”
Backstage
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano were backstage when Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) walked in and asked DIY about their game plan for the clash against MCMG.
Gargano stated that he had just found out he had a match tonight with Apollo Crews and mentioned that the tag champs wouldn’t be able to be there for them. Prince and Wilson reminded the tag champs of the “quid pro quo.”
Ciampa asked if they were questioning their integrity, and Wilson reminded them again that they were clashing with MCMG tonight. The two teams continued arguing as Gargano stated that he believed in them and that they should do whatever they had to do tonight. DIY then left.
Pretty Deadly ran into Legado Del Fantasma, and the two teams locked eyes. Pretty Deadly left as Legado Del Fantasma continued sizing them up.
Motor City Machine Guns vs Pretty Deadly
The bell rang as Sabin and Prince started the action in the tag clash. MCMG took control early, with Sabin and Shelley continuing to beat down Prince.
Wilson became the official man as Shelley tagged in Sabin, and the former tag champs attacked Pretty Deadly. The match continued as Prince and Wilson kept beating down Sabin, who tried to fight back and sent Prince outside the ring.
Sabin took down Wilson with a step-up enziguri and tagged in Shelley, who fired back, taking down both Prince and Wilson. Shelley and Sabin double-teamed as Sabin hit Pretty Deadly with a suicide dive outside the ring.
Wilson and Prince then hit Shelley with a Pretty Deadly and set him up for an elevated bulldog. They went for the cover, but Shelley kicked out. Wilson and Prince lined up another attack on Shelley, but Sabin took down Wilson.
Sabin and Shelley then fired back, lining up Prince for the Skull and Bones. They hit the move and went for the cover, with Shelley and Sabin picking up the win against Pretty Deadly in the first match of the evening.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis was in his office when The Miz walked in for a chat. The Miz commented that he liked Joe Tessitore’s interview with Cody Rhodes but felt it wasn’t as good as Miz TV.
Miz then asked if Aldis wanted something similar with Kevin Owens featuring him. Aldis revealed that Miz wasn’t just there for a friendly chat, he had been transferred to SmackDown and was officially welcomed to the Blue brand.
Miz lost his cool and asked why he was moved, especially with the Wyatt Six now on the brand. He then claimed that he had strategically gotten the Wyatt Six moved there and quickly realized that Karrion Kross had a hand in his transfer.
Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens interrupted Joe Tessitore, demanding to know where his interview was and questioning Joe’s journalistic integrity.
Owens then went off on Michael Cole and The Rock, climbing onto the announcer’s desk. Owens locked eyes with Matthew McConaughey and asked if he had a problem with him, continuing to mock the Hollywood star. Just then, Jimmy Uso’s music hit.
KO asked to cut “the terrible music” and questioned why Jimmy was there and what he wanted. Jimmy picked up the mic and said it was because KO talked too much. He then landed an uppercut as KO tried to fight back, but Jimmy took control.
Jimmy climbed to the top rope, but KO cleverly rolled out of the ring and retreated. Jimmy picked up the mic again, asking where Owens was running to, and then proposed a match between the two for tonight.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis was on the phone when Carmelo Hayes walked in. Carmelo Hayes asked Aldis about his intentions for booking Jimmy Uso against Kevin Owens, as he was supposed to face Owens himself.
Aldis replied that he had a new superstar on SmackDown and was more than happy to book him against Hayes.
Hayes expressed doubt, saying he didn’t believe Aldis after the way he handled his situation with Braun Strowman earlier. Carmelo added that he’d like to see his opponent before facing him. Aldis agreed and told him he’d have to wait just a little while, as the talent would be there soon.
Michin & B-Fab vs Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
The bell rang as Michin and Niven started the action in the tag match. Michin used her quickness to take control early.
Chelsea Green became the official woman in the ring as Michin continued her attack. Niven caused a distraction, allowing Green to strike Michin, who fired back, prompting Green to quickly tag in Niven.
Michin tagged in B-Fab, and Niven also tagged in Green. B-Fab launched an assault on Green and went for the cover, but Niven broke it up with a brutal elbow.
Niven attacked B-Fab but didn’t realize Michin was the official woman, allowing Michin to take down Niven. Green stepped in, looking for the finish, but Michin turned it into an Eat Defeat and covered the US Champion. Michin and B-Fab picked up the win against Green and Niven.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis and Carmelo Hayes were backstage waiting for the superstar. Damian Priest walked in, and Aldis welcomed him. Hayes, still in disbelief, listened as Aldis informed Priest that Hayes wanted a match against him.
Priest responded that he was ready to “punish” Hayes, to which Aldis said he liked the sound of that. Hayes left, irked by the situation, and Aldis remarked that Hayes was “uptight.” Priest confidently claimed that Carmelo would learn tonight.
A Charlotte Flair promo aired once again, as the former multi-time champion announced her entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble.
Tiffany Stratton
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton grabbed the mic and declared that she was the center of everyone’s attention because, at the Royal Rumble, 30 women would be fighting for a chance to face her at WrestleMania.
Tiffany claimed that last week, she defeated the 2024 Rumble winner and wasn’t worried at all about who would win next week. Rhea Ripley’s music hit, and the Women’s World Champion made her way to SmackDown.
Tiffany Stratton – Rhea Ripley
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley stepped into the ring, grabbing the mic as the crowd erupted in “Mami” chants. She addressed Tiffany Stratton, reminding her that she was the Women’s Champion and praised her for handling Nia Jax.
Ripley then stated that what Tiffany did to Nia was nothing compared to what she would do to her at SNME tomorrow. Suddenly, Nia Jax’s music hit, and she appeared with Candice LeRae. The crowd erupted in boos as Jax asked why she was catching “strays.”
Jax announced that she would be entering and winning the Royal Rumble, taking a brief pause to mock a child in the audience. She then stepped into the ring and declared that she would defeat Ripley tomorrow.
Bianca Belair’s music hit, and she walked in alongside Naomi. Naomi grabbed the mic and announced her entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble, stating she was going to win it.
Bianca Belair picked up the mic next and announced her own entry into the Rumble, also declaring her victory. Belair and Naomi exchanged compliments before Liv Morgan’s music hit.
Liv Morgan entered the ring with Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan grabbed the mic and mocked Rhea, Tiffany, and the Women’s Tag Champs, Bianca and Naomi. Morgan then announced her entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble and declared she would win, stating that Raquel Rodriguez would ensure her victory.
Ripley, tired of the chatter, took down Morgan with a headbutt, and a brawl broke out. Stratton cleverly retreated from the chaos. In the end, Belair, Naomi, and Ripley stood tall in the ring as Jax, LeRae, Morgan, and Raquel picked themselves up.
Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Noami
During the commercials, Nick Aldis booked a six-woman tag match between Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Liv Morgan against Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Naomi.
The tag action kicked off with Ripley and Jax starting the match. Nia quickly tagged in Candice, who tried to fight back, but Ripley took control early, dominating the action.
Back from commercials, Morgan went for the cover on Naomi, but Naomi kicked out. Morgan tagged in Jax, who continued the attack. Naomi fought back with a couple of knees and rolled up Jax for a cover, but Jax kicked out quickly.
Candice LeRae was now the official woman in the ring, and the crowd erupted in “We want Mami” chants. LeRae continued the attack, but Naomi fought back. LeRae took out Ripley and focused on Naomi, who fought back, taking down everyone.
Jax and Morgan attacked Belair and Ripley outside the ring, while LeRae continued her assault on Naomi. Naomi fought back again, taking down all of her opponents.
Naomi looked to cover, but Ripley tagged in, stepping in to answer the call. Raquel Rodriguez then stepped onto the edge of the ring to distract Ripley, allowing Morgan to capitalize and attack Ripley. Ripley landed a headbutt on Jax and went for the Riptide, but Morgan interfered and climbed onto her back.
Ripley fought back and landed the Riptide on Morgan, sending her crashing onto Jax. Raquel once again interfered but ate a kick from Ripley for her troubles. LeRae took advantage and landed a DDT, taking down Ripley.
Belair hit the EST on Candice LeRae, but Morgan rolled her up for the cover. One, two, three! Morgan, Jax, and Candice LeRae picked up the win in the six-woman tag match.
Backstage
Chelsea Green and Michin were backstage when Niven addressed Green’s wounds from the earlier clash against B-Fab and Michin.
Michin and B-Fab walked in, mocking them. Michin then informed Green that she had spoken with GM Nick Aldis, who had granted her a shot at Green’s US title next week.
Michin and B-Fab left, and Green turned to Michin, discussing how they would need a “bigger” security detail.
Johnny Gargano vs Apollo Crews
The bell rang, and Crews took control early, inflicting damage on Gargano for the attack backstage last week. Crews went for a splash, but Gargano moved out of the way and landed a brutal superkick. He went for the cover, but Crews kicked out.
Ciampa and Gargano celebrated, but the crowd continued booing. Crews fought back, displaying his power by picking up and dropping Gargano.
Gargano fought back as Ciampa watched closely ringside. The two exchanged elbows before Crews went for the attack. Gargano pulled the ropes, causing Crews to crash outside. Gargano distracted the officials, and Ciampa took out Crews ringside with a brutal knee.
Ciampa pushed Crews back into the ring and told Gargano to finish the match, but the Motor City Machine Guns appeared. As Gargano and Ciampa prepared for a clash, Crews capitalized, rolling Gargano up for the cover and picking up the win.
Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu cut a promo as they made their way to the ring for Tonga’s clash against LA Knight.
LA Knight vs Tama Tonga
Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga continued sizing up LA Knight as he made his entrance, Knight picked up the mic to talk to the crowd before the match and cut a promo.
Knight stated that Fatu and Tonga couldn’t walk free after costing him his US title rematch. He went off on Fatu and Tonga, rallying the crowd behind him. Knight then stepped into the ring, and Tonga went straight for the attack.
The bell rang, and Knight and Tonga collided, with the former US Champion taking control early. Tonga sent Knight back-first into the barricade and went for another attack, but Knight retaliated with a side slam onto the barricade, then followed it up by sending Tonga through the barricade.
In the final moments of the match, the crowd erupted in “this is awesome” chants as the two continued their brutal battle. Knight charged at Tonga, who was on the edge of the ring, landing an elbow that sent Tonga crashing into the announcer’s desk.
Back in the ring, Knight went for the attack, but his injured knee gave out. Tonga landed a DDT into the cover, but Knight kicked out. Tonga and Knight were on the top rope. Knight got the better of the situation, rallied the crowd, and landed a flying elbow.
Knight went for the BFT, but Jacob Fatu stepped in. Knight took out Fatu, and Tonga tried to capitalize. Knight countered and landed the BFT on Tonga for the cover. LA Knight pinned Tama Tonga to pick up the win on the 01/24 episode.
After the match, Jacob Fatu pulled Knight outside the ring and picked him up to drop him through the announcer’s desk.
Fatu continued the attack as Braun Strowman’s music hit, and the monster stepped into the Moody Centre. Strowman stepped into the ring as the two Titans locked eyes. Braun called Fatu inside the ring.
Tonga tried to stop Fatu, who pushed him away and stepped into the ring. Fatu and Strowman locked eyes. Tonga stepped in and tried to distract Strowman as Fatu went for the attack, but Braun ducked, pushing Fatu outside.
Fatu got irked and tried to step inside again, but Tonga pulled him away from the ring. Strowman stood tall in the ring as Knight joined him.
Backstage
The Miz was with A-Town Down Under backstage, trying to rally Grayson Waller and Austin Theory for a team-up.
Miz claimed that together they would run SmackDown, but General Manager Nick Aldis walked in and informed A-Town Down Under that they were being sent to Raw. A-Town Down Under celebrated, while Miz looked visibly scared, left all alone.
Shinsuke Nakamura
A vignette aired of the United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, who warned everyone looking to challenge him.
Nakamura stated that the title wasn’t enough for him and that he would aim higher. He announced his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble, claiming that 2025 would be his year.
Damian Priest vs Carmelo Hayes
The bell rang as Hayes showcased his quickness, ducking an attack from Priest. Hayes launched an attack on Priest, who fired back, showcasing his brute strength. Damian climbed to the rope and hit a crossbody.
The action spilled outside the ring as Damian landed an uppercut and picked up Hayes, who rolled back and pushed Priest into the ring post.
Hayes attacked Priest’s knee and pushed him again into the ring post as the show went to commercials. After taking a beating, Damian suddenly woke up and once again showcased his brute force, taking control of the match.
Priest slammed Hayes down and went for the cover, but Hayes kicked out at two. Damian called for the South of Heaven, but Hayes cleverly rolled out of the ring. Priest followed him and pushed Hayes through the barricade into the timekeeper’s area.
Back inside the ring, Hayes landed the First 48 and went for the cover, but Priest somehow kicked out at two. Carmelo went to the top rope, but Priest ducked and went for the attack.
Hayes rolled Priest for a cover, but Damian kicked out and took Hayes down with a brutal clothesline. Damian followed it up with the South of Heaven, into the cover, and Damian Priest picked up the win against Carmelo Hayes.
Backstage
General Manager Nick Aldis was with DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano), who argued with him following Gargano’s loss to Crews.
Motor City Machine Guns walked in and asked Aldis if he had informed the tag champions of the news. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin then announced that they would challenge Ciampa and Gargano at the upcoming Royal Rumble PLE in two-out-of-three falls match.
Damian Priest was backstage when he ran into the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who welcomed him to the Blue brand. Rhodes shook his hand and left, with Priest calling after him, “See you soon, champ!”
The Miz was with Andrade, trying to convince him to team up with him. Andrade stated that he loved the idea but mentioned he needed to find someone and left.
Jimmy Uso appeared, doing the ‘Yeet’ sign in front of Miz before walking away. Jimmy walked into Carmelo Hayes, and once again, Jimmy mocked him.
Jimmy’s music hit as he stepped through the entrance ramp, but Hayes ambushed him, and the two started brawling. Security and officials rushed in to diffuse the situation, pulling Hayes away from the arena while Jimmy made his way into the ring.
Kevin Owens vs Jimmy Uso
The bell rang as Owens rolled out of the ring and confronted Joe Tessitore. Jimmy stepped out of the ring and attacked KO. Back in the ring, Owens took control and mocked the crowd. The two stars continued fighting, with Jimmy landing a Samoan drop into the cover, but KO kicked out at two.
Jimmy then took out KO with a brutal superkick, but KO kicked out again. Owens fired back as he hunted for the finish. KO went for the Stunner, but Jimmy looked for the superkick.
KO intercepted the superkick and landed his own, but Big Jim ate it and landed his own superkick. Into the cover, Owens kicked out again. Jimmy climbed to the top rope and went for a splash, but Owens was out of harm’s way.
The match continued as Jimmy landed another superkick and went for the cover again, but Owens kicked out! Jimmy connected with a spear and went to the top rope, but KO cleverly pulled him down and landed a pop-up powerbomb into the cover. Kevin Owens defeated Jimmy Uso in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
After the match, KO lined up Jimmy for a package piledriver on the announcer’s desk. Cody Rhodes’ music hit as the American Nightmare darted into the ring, and KO joined him.
The brawl began as Rhodes continued the beatdown. Owens tried to fire back, but Rhodes bounced KO’s head off the ring post. Rhodes then went on to check on Jimmy Uso as the 01/24 episode of Friday Night SmackDown came to an end.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Motor City Machine Guns defeated Pretty Deadly
- Michin & B-Fab defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
- Nia Jax, Candice LeRae & Liv Morgan defeated Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair & Noami
- Apollo Crews pinned Johnny Gargano
- Damian Priest & The Miz were transferred to SmackDown, A-Town Down Under were transferred to Raw
- LA Knight defeated Tama Tonga
- Damian Priest pinned Carmelo Hayes
- DIY (c) vs Motor City Machine Guns – WWE Tag Team Championship match announced for 2025 Royal Rumble PLE (2 Out of 3 falls match)
- Kevin Owens pinned Jimmy Uso
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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