WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (June 27, 2025): CM Punk channels 'Doctor of Thuganomics' in scathing promo burying John Cena; Tiffany Stratton retains & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Jacob Fatu aids Jimmy Uso; Tag team title ends in chaos; Giulia wins & more!
The June 27 episode of Friday Night SmackDown served as the go-home show for the upcoming Night of Champions 2025. The show aired live from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Stars met for the final time before their clash at the PLE.
Multiple top stars, including Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, Randy Orton, and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, made appearances on the show. The promotion announced a stacked card for the show, featuring three title clashes.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 06/27 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Cody Rhodes – Randy Orton
Cody Rhodes kicked off the show in Riyadh, but before he could utter a word, Randy Orton came out as the King of the Ring crown was placed in the middle of the ring. Orton picked up the mic and asked fans if they had watched this week’s Monday Night Raw, where Cody faced Jey Uso in the semi-finals. He praised their performances and nominated the match for a Slammy.
However, the segment cut off as Netflix’s stream froze and fans were unable to watch the show for about half an hour.
Jimmy Uso vs JC Mateo
The show resumed with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett apologizing for the technical issue that plagued SmackDown for the first half hour. Jimmy Uso battled JC Mateo in a singles match as the show continued. Solo Sikoa was ringside, causing interferences in the match which ultimately helped Mateo who delivered the tour of islands to pick up the win.
After the match, Sikoa went over to talk to Jimmy, picking him up and asking if he was done and ready to come back. Solo opened his arms, calling for Jimmy, who retaliated with a big slap as the crowd erupted. Mateo then attacked Jimmy as he lined him up for a Samoan Spike from Solo, but out came Jacob Fatu.
Fatu darted in, taking down Mateo with a pop-up Samoan Drop, and then went after Sikoa, who cleverly rolled out of the ring and retreated as Jacob climbed the ropes to take down Mateo with a massive moonsault.
Jimmy and Fatu came face to face as Big Jim shoved Fatu out of harm’s way to deliver a kick to Sikoa, who had tried to blindside the U.S. Champion. Sikoa and Mateo retreated as Fatu flaunted the title.
Winner: JC Mateo
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- Solo Sikoa continues to prove his comic timing, shining in every moment.
- Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso teaming up could be the next step, if the plan is for Solo to win the US title at Night of Champions 2025.
Backstage
DIY, Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns, and Los Garzas were arguing backstage as DIY tried to convince them to help save the future of the tag team division. Ciampa stated that if Wyatt Sicks defeated the Street Profits tonight, no one would be able to hold the tag titles again.
GM Nick Aldis walked in, asking what the commotion was about, as Ciampa explained he was trying to rally the others to fight the Wyatt Sicks. Gargano and Ciampa then questioned why Aldis had given Wyatt Sicks a title shot. DIY urged Aldis to take action, prompting him to call Andrade and instruct him to find a tag team partner to face DIY later on the show.
Zelina Vega (c) vs Giulia – Women’s United States title match
Zelina Vega defended the Women’s United States title against Giulia in the second match of the show. As predicted by us, Giulia proved to be quick and agile for Vega, who, despite her amazing showing, failed to pin the Challenger. Giulia delivered the northern lightbomb to pick up the win and become the new Women’s US Champion.
Winner: Giulia
Grade: C
Key Takeaways:
- Giulia becomes the third Women’s United States Champion in history.
- This is Giulia’s first title on the main roster since her debut last month.
Backstage
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss met backstage, where Flair stated that she didn’t need friends. Alexa responded by saying she wasn’t trying to be her friend, but floated the idea of becoming “allies of convenience.” She then walked off, asking Flair to think about it.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss met backstage, where Flair stated that she didn’t need friends. Alexa responded by saying she wasn’t trying to be her friend, but floated the idea of becoming “allies of convenience.” She then walked off, asking Flair to think about it.
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- Fans are amped up to see how the storyline between the two progresses.
- WWE will likely delve deeper into it after Night of Champions.
Wade Barrett interviews Asuka & Jade Cargill
Wade Barrett stood in the ring as he greeted the fans before welcoming the two finalists of the 2025 Queen of the Ring tournament. Barrett introduced Jade Cargill first, followed by Asuka. He then asked Cargill about her confidence heading into the finals.
Cargill stated that while others get nervous, she felt no pressure. She declared that at SummerSlam, she wasn’t just coming for the title, she was coming for the entire throne. Asuka responded, saying that while Cargill was strong, power wasn’t everything; she had the skills and experience to win. She ended her statement with her signature line: “No one is ready for Asuka.”
Cargill was about to respond when Naomi’s music hit, interrupting the segment. Miss Money in the Bank made her way out and said that while the two could fight over the crown, the title ultimately belonged to her. As she continued speaking, the crowd erupted with chants of “Shut the f*ck up,” nearly drowning her out.
Naomi pressed on, reminding Cargill that she still had the power to take everything from her, just as she had done before. She advised Jade to proceed with caution. Cargill then suddenly lunged toward Naomi but accidentally took down Asuka instead. A fired-up Asuka retaliated, bringing Cargill down as well. Naomi, meanwhile, stood on the apron, laughing at the chaos she’d incited.
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- Similar to the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton segment, this was used to build up hype for the QOTR finals.
- Naomi’s interruption suggests that WWE will continue to explore the feud between her and Cargill going into Evolution PLE.
Backstage
GM Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce were backstage, discussing the future of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in light of Liv Morgan’s absence. Aleister Black walked in, stating that he wanted a redo. But before he could elaborate, R-Truth burst onto the scene, demanding to see John Cena immediately after what happened last week.
Aldis explained that Cena was here to address CM Punk, not R-Truth, tonight. Truth shot back, insisting he was here for Cena and stormed off. Aldis turned to Black and apologized for the interruption, but Black, now seemingly struck with an idea, silently followed after Truth.
DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) vs Andrade & Rey Fenix
In an impromptu match, DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) battled Andrade, who found a tag team partner in Rey Fenix. The four men woke up the fans not just in the arena but also watching at home as they delivered an amazing battle, both teams refusing to quit.
However, in the end, Fenix lifted Ciampa and slammed him down with the Mexican Muscle Buster, as Andrade delivered the final blow to secure the victory in an incredible tag team clash.
Grade: A
Key Takeaways:
- Rey Fenix and Andrade are now 2-0 in tag team action after beating DIY.
- Johnny ‘Wrestling’ recieved much deserved love from the fans in Saudi Arabia.
R-Truth – Aleister Black
A masked man entered the ring and pulled back his hood to reveal himself; it was Ron “R-Truth” Killings. Truth called out John Cena, demanding he step into the ring. But instead, Aleister Black appeared silently behind him.
Truth turned around and attempted to strike, but Black swiftly dropped him with a devastating Black Mass. Standing over him, Black issued a cold warning before leaving the ring. “I told you, Ron… not to drink from this cup. I guess in a weird way, we’re even now, Ron.”
Aleister Black was backstage when he ran into Damian Priest, who asked if he was feeling particularly tough. Black calmly responded that Truth’s debt was paid, and if Priest truly was his friend, he’d tell him to stay away.
Priest fired back, saying that if Black wanted to settle a score, he should do it face-to-face with Truth. Black walked off without another word, just as Carmelo Hayes entered the scene. Hayes warned Priest to mind his own business before he ended up a casualty. Priest told Hayes to leave, and Carmelo did, but not before smirking and saying, “Truth hurts.”
Grade: C+
Key Takeaways:
- This is likely the beginning of the feud between R-Truth and Aleister Black.
- A serious feud against Black is way better for Truth than the clumsy storyline with John Cena.
- The role of Damian Priest in this feud has sparked intrigue among fans.
Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) – WWE Tag Team titles
In the second title match of the show, WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) battled The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis). However, the match turned into chaos as the entire tag division, namely, Fraxiom, Los Garzas, DIY, and Motor City Machine Guns, who appeared ringside during the match, chose to interfere.
Los Garzas started by taking out Lumis while DIY targeted Dawkins, and chaos broke out soon as the match ended in disqualification, and everyone started brawling. The tag team division circled up, attempting to take down Gacy and Lumis, but were quickly crushed as Uncle Howdy sent in Erick Rowan, who stormed in and began dismantling everyone in his path.
Fraxiom and the MCMG joined forces to neutralize Rowan at ringside. Inside the ring, Axiom was hit with a devastating Sister Abigail DDT from Uncle Howdy. Dawkins cleared the house at ringside, while Montez Ford launched himself to take out the remaining men on the opposite side.
Winners: The Street Profits via DQ
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- Absolute chaotic segment, showcasing once again how good the tag team division on SmackDown is.
- The Wyatt Sicks battling the entire tag team division sounds interesting.
Backstage
Jacob Fatu was backstage when he ran into Jimmy Uso. Big Jim told Jimmy he didn’t need his help tonight, and Solo said the same about last week.
Fatu asked if there was a problem. Jimmy replied that there wasn’t; he just respected how Fatu had been standing up to Solo Sikoa. Fatu said that if Jimmy could find where he fits in, he’d be alright. The two stars exchanged nods before Fatu walked off.
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Nia Jax – Last Woman Standing match for the WWE Women’s title
In the main event of the show, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton battled Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing match for the title. Jax took control early, battering Stratton with kendo sticks and slamming her through the table.
However, Stratton refused to quit repaying the favor by punishing Jax with the kendo stick and steel chairs. When both women were down, Naomi tried to cash in the MITB contract, but Stratton intercepted, taking out Naomi with the briefcase before attacking Jax with it. In the end, Stratton used the briefcase again, hitting Jax with who went crashing ringside through two tables, as Stratton picked up the win to retain the titles.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Grade: B+
Key Takeaways:
- Tiffany Stratton is still undefeated against Nia Jax, since winning the title in January via MITB cash-in.
- Tiffany Stratton has shined in her title defenses, delivering multiple iconic performances.
- After the match, Michael Cole reminded fans about the special start time for Monday Night Raw next week, which would begin at 3 PM ET, while SmackDown was set to move to a two-hour format starting next week.
John Cena – CM Punk
John Cena appeared in the final segment of the go-home show and picked up the mic, stating that this is what a winner looks like, and while he is a winner, CM Punk is a loser. Cena called himself a genius, saying Night of Champions was just a formality and that Punk couldn’t do anything about it.
But then CM Punk’s music hit, though it was Cena’s theme song, “‘Doctor of Thuganomics’, Word Life.” Punk came out dressed similarly to Cena’s old gimmick. CM Punk, Doctor of Thuganomics, stepped into the ring with the mic in hand, flaunting in front of Cena as the music cut off. Cena looked puzzled.
Punk asked the crowd to check out the “basic CM Punk’s Thuganomics,” stating that Cena had ripped off his pipebomb promo, so now he was doing the same. Punk called Cena a “temu Macklemore,” but with a “mackle rhythm.” He accused Cena of burying more talent than The Undertaker.
Punk said he would’ve retired too if WWE had hired their ex back. He continued roasting Cena as the “CM Punk” chants grew louder. Punk pointed out that while millions chanted his name, they also chanted “Cena can’t wrestle.” The arena filled with “YOU CAN’T WRESTLE” chants as Punk claimed Cena would be washing underwear for James Gunn in six months.
Punk called Cena a phony and said that before he left, he had one more wish: Cena would lose tomorrow because he was Kendrick to Punk’s Drake. “John, there’s one more wish to make…Tomorrow night you’re gonna lose to Kendrick cause b*tch… you’re my Drake”
Punk dropped the mic as the crowd erupted, singing his song. He climbed the barricade, posing in front of Cena as the show ended after a fiery verbal payback from CM Punk.
Grade: B+
Key Takeaways:
- Solid response from CM Punk, but the execution fell short of expectations despite the amazing one-liners.
- CM Punk and John Cena have truly brought the best in each other; the promo battles have been the best we’ve seen this year.
WWE SmackDown Results
- JC Mateo pinned Jimmy Uso
- Giulia defeated Zelina Vega (c) – Women’s United States title match
- Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa)
- Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) – WWE Tag Team titles ended in DQ
- Tiffany Stratton (c) defeated Nia Jax – Last Woman Standing match for the WWE Women’s title
- CM Punk appeared as ‘Doctor of Thuganomics’ to deliver payback on the mic
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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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