WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (July 18, 2025): Cody Rhodes lays out John Cena & announces stipulation for their clash; Solo Sikoa gets arrested & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Charlotte Flair defeats Raquel Rodriguez, more matches announced for SummerSlam & more!
The July 18 episode of Friday Night SmackDown served as the fallout show for last week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event as well as the all-women’s PLE, Evolution. The show aired live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Multiple top names, including Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Alexa Bliss, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Solo Sikoa, Chelsea Green, and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, were advertised for the show.
The show featured the aftermath of SNME and Evolution, while building towards the upcoming SummerSlam. Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 07/18 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
SmackDown kicked off with an accident outside the arena involving Solo Sikoa’s MFT. Cathy Kelley approached GM Adam Pearce, asking what had transpired. Pearce explained that he had arrived at the same time as her and was assessing the situation.
He also revealed that he would be filling in for Nick Aldis that night. Cody Rhodes then appeared, and the two discussed the upcoming contract signing before Cody took the contract and left, as the show returned to the commentary team.
Charlotte Flair vs Raquel Rodriguez
In the first match of the show, Charlotte Flair battled one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Raquel Rodriguez. Roxanne Perez was ringside during the match and even tried to intervene when Alexa Bliss who was also ringisde accompanying Flair decided to retaliate and interfered taking out Rodriguez, sending a clear message that she can play that game too. Flair capitalized on the interfernce to pick up the win.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Grade: C
Key Takeaways:
- Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez will defend the Women’s Tag titles against the team of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam.
- Bliss and Flair had a funny segment backstage before the match, where Alexa revealed their upcoming title clash.
Backstage
Adam Pearce was backstage when he ran into the police personnel. They asked him where they could find Jacob Fatu, informing the GM that he was a person of interest. Pearce took them to Fatu, who stated that he had done nothing and was not going with them. Pearce tried to calm Fatu, urging him to cooperate with the police. Fatu eventually obliged and left with them.
A promo aired featuring Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill, where both women hyped their upcoming title clash. They recapped their journeys before declaring that they would walk out with the title at SummerSlam.
Damian Priest vs Carmelo Hayes
After their heated backstage argument, Damian Priest and Carmelo Hayes battled in an impromptu singles match. Hayes attacked Priest during his entrance and tried to secure an easy and early win, but Damian weathered the storm and was going for the old school as Aleister Black appeared, pulling his legs as Damian went crashing on the ropes.
The match ended in disqualification. Hayes cleverly fled the scene as Black punished Priest before taking him out with the black mass.
Winner: Damian Priest via DQ
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- The impromptu match was set following a backstage segment between the two, where Priest was looking for Aleister.
- After taking out Priest, Black stated that he heard Damian was looking for him.
- Carmelo went to attack Priest during his entrance and held back for some reason, before attacking him on the second attempt.
- After the match, a Wyatt Six promo aired, revealing their plans for the SmackDown tag division now that they’re champions. The plan involves stripping the division of its vanities and desires, according to the group.
Solo Sikoa & his MFT
Solo Sikoa grabbed the mic and stated that tonight was the perfect example of who Jacob Fatu really is, claiming that without his guidance, Fatu is reckless. Solo continued, saying that Fatu only cares about himself, while he had given him everything. However, he deserved none of it because he’s selfish.
Sikoa then added, “Once a criminal, always a criminal,” just as the camera cut backstage to Jimmy Uso, who was near the police van as Jacob Fatu was being released. The police had reviewed the footage and confirmed that Fatu was innocent.
Fatu then walked down to the ring as the MFT was ready to take on Fatu when Jimmy Uso came from behind, and the two stars began punishing Solo and his MFT. Talla Tonga quickly made his way ringside, taking Jimmy down with a massive boot. He cleared the announce desk and went to pick up Big Jim, but Fatu intervened, taking him down with a suicide dive.
Talla quickly got back up, going for a double chokeslam, but Fatu and Jimmy delivered a series of boots, followed by Jimmy sending Talla over the barricade. Fatu then focused on Solo, who attempted to retreat, but Jimmy sent him back into the ring. Fatu delivered a hip attack before grabbing a steel chair, wrapping it around Solo’s neck.
JC Mateo tried to interrupt, but Jimmy quickly took out Tonga with a superkick. Talla then sent Solo out of the ring, as Big Jim hit a frog splash on Tama, and Fatu took out Mateo with a powerful moonsault from the ropes.
Fatu started punishing Tonga and Mateo with the steel chair as Solo attempted to re-enter the ring, only to be stopped by Talla. GM Adam Pearce stepped in, questioning why Solo tried to frame Fatu. He then announced a huge match: Solo Sikoa vs Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship in a Steel Cage Match.
Pearce called for the police, who handcuffed Solo, despite him pointing at Fatu as the culprit, and took him backstage, escorting him out of the building.
Grade: B+
Key Takeaways:
- Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu will meet in a rematch at SummerSlam, this time inside a steel cage.
- This was a good segment that helped to set up the PLE clash.
Stephanie Vaquer vs Alba Fyre
As announced, Stephanie Vaquer took on the Secret Hervice’s Alba Fyre in a singles match. Fyre’s fellow agent, Piper Niven, was ringside during the match.
Vaquer made quick and easy work of Fyre, delivering the SVB before pinning her to secure the victory. Niven attacked Vaquer after the match, but Stephanie fought back, sending Niven crashing on the floor with a kick.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer
Grade: C-
Key Takeaways:
- Chelsea Green was not ringside during the match, with Wade Barrett revealing that the former US Champion was not in the arena.
- The match had a total runtime of about two minutes.
Rey Fenix & Andrade vs Motor City Machine Guns vs Fraxiom vs DIY – Tag title #1 Contenders fatal four-way match
Rey Fenix and Andrade, Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin), Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom), and DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) clashed in a #1 Contenders fatal four-way match for the WWE Tag Team titles.
The match was the epitome of how good the tag team division is as all four teams delivered some jaw-dropping moves, but in the end, when the dust settled, the newly formed tag team of Rey Fenix and Andrade emerged victorious pinning Ciampa as Gargano accidentally took him out while attacking Andrade.
Winner: Andrade & Rey Fenix
Grade: B+
Key Takeaways:
- DIY had a brief backstage segment with Street Profits, whom Cathy Kelley was interviewing. DIY stated that the Street Profits lost the title; they’re here to save the tag team division.
- The fans have quickly rallied behind the newly formed tag team between Andrade and Rey Fenix.
SummerSlam contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes
General Manager Adam Pearce was inside the ring as he introduced Cody Rhodes, who made his entrance and signed the contract right away without wasting any time. Rhodes recapped how his recent tweet was taken out of context, explaining that despite multiple setbacks, he never flinched, except for at WrestleMania 41 against Cena.
Cody then continued, acknowledging that taking the title from someone as beloved as Cena was a tough task, and he asked Adam Pearce to call on Cena to sign the contract. Pearce obliged and introduced Cena, who made his entrance. Cena stepped into the ring, sat down, and invited Cody to do the same.
Once seated, Cena delivered some bad news, announcing that he wouldn’t be at SummerSlam. He explained that he was filming a big Netflix movie in New York and that, after talks, it was best for him not to physically compete at SummerSlam.
Cena floated the idea of a rematch at either Clash in Paris or Survivor Series, which visibly upset Cody. Cena attempted to calm him down, stating that he couldn’t sign the contract because it would require him to defend the title, something he couldn’t do.
Cena then expressed how difficult it was for him to be there that night, wanting to give the San Antonio crowd a memorable experience, but this was all he could offer at the moment. Rhodes stood up and pointed at Cena, urging him to sign the contract. Cena closed the file and stated that Cody would get his rematch before leaving the ring.
Not willing to let it slide, Cody darted out of the ring and attacked Cena, battering the Champion. Cena fired back, sending Cody crashing into the steel steps. Cena then sent Cody back into the ring, grabbed the title, and returned to attack Cody with it.
Rhodes ducked, catching the title himself, and took Cena out with a massive shot. Cody placed Cena on the table, climbed to the top rope with the contract in hand, and hit a splash right through the table. As Cena lay wrecked, Cody handed him the pen and forced him to sign the contract.
Rhodes then picked up the mic and told Cena to check the fine print before announcing that the rematch between the two would be a ‘STREET FIGHT‘.
Grade: C
Key Takeaways:
- The rematch between John Cena and Cody Rhodes is now a street fight.
- The segment felt predictable and repetitive at one point, Cena’s promos with CM Punk were a breath of fresh air.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Charlotte Flair pinned Raquel Rodriguez
- Damian Priest vs Carmelo Hayes ended in a DQ as Aleister Black attacked
- Stephanie Vaquer pinned Alba Fyre
- Rey Fenix & Andrade defeated DIY, Motor City Machine Guns & Fraxiom – Tag title #1 Contenders match
- The SummerSlam contract signing between John Cena & Cody Rhodes ended in chaos
- John Cena vs Cody Rhodes is now a street fight
Did any surprise returns or debuts happen on tonight’s SmackDown?
Yes, Jacob Fatu made his SmackDown return tonight. WWE also announced two more matches for SummerSlam.
Who won in the main event on tonight’s SmackDown?
Rey Feni & Andrade defeated DIY, Motor City Machine Guns & Fraxiom to win in the #1 Contenders fatal four-way match for the WWE Tag Team titles.
When and where will the upcoming SummerSlam 2025 take place?
WWE SummerSlam is scheduled to take place as a two-night event on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025. The event will be held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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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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