WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (May 23, 2025): Wyatt Sicks return; LA Knight advances, Giulia wins in debut & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
JC Mateo teams up with Jacob Fatu, matches announced for SNME & Worlds Collide & more!
The second edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event in 2025 was just around the corner, with the May 24 show set to air from the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. However, ahead of the event, WWE delivered the go-home show of Friday Night SmackDown.
The go-home show of Friday Night SmackDown aired live from the EnMarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. The episode also continued to build towards the Money in the Bank 2025 with two MITB Qualifiers, while stars set to clash at Saturday Night’s Main Event met for the final time in Georgia.
WWE Tag Team title clash, along with a singles match and a tag team match, was also announced for the show. Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 05/23 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Damian Priest ambushed Drew McIntyre during the arrivals, leading to a heated brawl backstage. Security and officials quickly intervened, separating the two before things escalated further.
Tiffany Stratton – Alexa Bliss – Charlotte Flair
Tiffany Stratton recapped how much could change in a year, and how she was standing tall as the people’s WWE Women’s Champion. Tiffany stated that she had already defeated Charlotte Flair and then Nia Jax last week, and at Money in the Bank 2025, there would be another challenger. The champion went on to issue a warning to the challenger, but here came Alexa Bliss.
Bliss stepped into the ring and mentioned that the two hadn’t met officially, then introduced herself, highlighting her accomplishments and pointing towards the MITB briefcase. Alexa said it was just business and that she would do to Tiffany what Tiffany did to Nia; she liked Nia but wasn’t a fan of Stratton.
Charlotte Flair then interrupted as the Georgia crowd drowned her in boos. While walking towards the ring, Flair congratulated Tiffany for defeating her at WrestleMania 41. Flair stated that she had not won Money in the Bank yet, but she would take the path to reclaim the title, and she would also take the spotlight. Stratton fired back, calling Flair a hypocrite and saying that winning the title was an easy way out, as per herself.
She then called the two ‘vintage’ and said she was the upgrade. Tiffany then announced that as long as she was the champion, it would always be “Tiffy time.” As Tiffany left as Giulia made her entrance for the women’s Money in the Bank triple-threat qualifying match, marking her SmackDown debut. Giulia sized up Stratton before making her way into the ring as Flair awaited in the arena.
Giulia vs Charlotte Flair vs Zelina Vega – Women’s MITB Qualifiers
In the first Money in the Bank triple-threat qualifying match, Charlotte Flair, Giulia, and Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega locked horns to secure a spot in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match at the namesake PLE next month.
The newest member shined in the match as Giulia pinned Vega after delivering a Northern Lights bomb to pick up the win and secure the fourth spot. She joins Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, and Rhea Ripley, all of whom have qualified for the match.
Backstage
Zelina Vega was backstage, addressing her wounds from the match, when Chelsea Green walked in, flanked by her Secret Service. Green mocked Vega for losing despite being a champion.
Vega laughed off the taunt before attacking Green, prompting Piper Niven and Alba Fyre to step in and separate them. Niven took out Vega with an elbow, and the two began to attack her, but Michin suddenly appeared with a kendo stick in hand.
B-Fab joined the fray, and the brawl continued until security and officials rushed in to break it up. General Manager Nick Aldis then walked in. Michin suggested a clash between her team and the Secret Service later that night. Aldis agreed, nodding, and walked off.
Chris Sabin vs Tomasso Ciampa
In the second match of the show, #DIY’s Tomasso Ciampa locked horns against Motor City Machine Guns’ Chris Sabin in a singles match. This was the first time the two from a rival tag team were battling head-to-head inside the WWE.
Despite Johnny Gargano’s interference, Sabin was looking to get the win but Ciampa faked a knee injury as Candice LeRae returned after a long time, attacking Sabin as Ciampa capitalized, landing a vicious knee to pick up the win.
Damian Priest – Drew McIntyre
Damian Priest’s music hit, but instead of him entering alone, Drew McIntyre emerged, and the brawl continued up the entrance ramp. The two stars fought fiercely ringside as security and officials rushed in, trying to separate them while the crowd erupted in excitement.
Priest finally made his way into the ring, grabbing a mic. He stated that tomorrow, he would send Drew to the hospital, but tonight, he’d give him a taste of what’s to come. Priest took down several members of security before charging towards McIntyre, reigniting the brawl. As the fight raged on, security scrambled to diffuse the chaos.
Backstage
Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo were backstage when Jacob Fatu walked in. Sikoa hyped up the two about their upcoming tag team match that night. Fatu asked Sikoa for a private conversation, but Sikoa replied that whatever Fatu had to say, he could say in front of Mateo.
Fatu expressed his distrust of Mateo, saying he didn’t know him and didn’t need his help at Backlash 2025. He went on to add that Mateo wasn’t his family, wasn’t his blood. Mateo stepped forward, but Solo quickly diffused the situation, reminding them that they had to work together as a team.
Charlotte Flair was backstage when she heard Alexa Bliss stating that it was important to have friends. Flair, confused, asked what she was talking about, as Bliss replied that she wasn’t speaking to her. Instead, she pulled out her doll, “Lilly.”
Bliss then started to walk away, adding that she’d see Flair at Money in the Bank, but then paused and smirked, remembering that Flair had lost. “Sorry,” Bliss said before walking off.
The promotion aired a vignette where Santos Escobar of Legado Del Fantasma confirmed their appearance on Worlds Collide 2025 and then announced that Legado del Fantasma will battle El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Psycho Clown, & Pagano at WWE Worlds Collide on June 7 at Kia Forum.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on the commentary booth further revealed that the show will stream live on WWE’s YouTube channel in English and Spanish.
The Secret Hervice (Alba Fyre & Piper Niven) vs Michin & B-Fab
As confirmed by GM Nick Aldis, The Secret Hervice (Alba Fyre & Piper Niven) battled the team of Michin & B-Fab in an impromptu match. The match continued as usual, but things took a turn when Michin took out both Fyre and Niven and Chelsea Green, who was ringside, decided to intervene.
Green stepped onto the apron to interfere, but Zelina Vega came in, taking Green out with a big knee. Niven charged at Vega, but ran straight into a crossbody from B-Fab. Michin capitalized with the Eat Defeat, and then B-Fab hit a modified neckbreaker on Fyre to pick up the win against the Secret Hervice.
Later in the show, the promotion announced that Zelina Vega will defend the Women’s U.S. title against Chelsea Green tomorrow at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Rey Fenix & Jimmy Uso vs JC Mateo & Jacob Fatu
As announced by General Manager Nick Aldis, Rey Fenix teamed up with Jimmy Uso to battle the team of Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo. The match began as the tensions between Mateo and Fatu took centre stage while Solo tried to recruit Jimmy.
However, a pep talk from Sikoa helped both men keep aside their differences. In the final moments of the match, Jimmy battled the two with superkicks, followed by a spear on Mateo. He climbed to the top, but Solo interfered, attempting to recruit Jimmy once again.
Fatu also stepped onto the apron, but Jimmy refused and went for the splash. Mateo managed to duck out of the way to hit the Tour of the Islands, defeating Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix in the tag action alongside Jacob Fatu.
R-Truth
Truth stepped into the ring, addressing the crowd and saying how everyone had been asking him how he would battle his childhood hero. He then revealed that he wasn’t actually battling his childhood hero.
Truth went on to share that John Cena had called him his friend, but power and fame had caused a rift between them, with the phone calls eventually stopping. He explained that Cena had isolated himself with his newfound power, and not just him, but everyone had stopped getting calls and messages from Cena.
Truth stated that the real issue wasn’t the Championship, but Cena’s ego. He had stopped having fun and became upset when others enjoyed themselves. Truth further claimed that Cena wasn’t happy and, despite all of that, called him the “Greatest of All Time.” He said he would try to bring Cena back, even if it meant facing him in the ring.
Truth then posed a question to Cena, asking if he wanted to ruin wrestling. He said that to save wrestling, he’d have to save Cena, and if that meant beating him, then he would “beat Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect back in his ass.” Ending the segment, Truth said, “I miss my hero,” and if Cena won, “We riot!”
A promo aired where Naomi vowed not to repeat the mistakes of her past self. Suddenly, Jade Cargill appeared, firing back and stating that Naomi cost her both her title and her health. Nia Jax then made her presence known, saying she didn’t care about anything but would annihilate anyone who tried to stand in her way.
The final Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match, featuring Nia Jax, Jade Cargill, and Naomi, was announced for next week.
Aleister Black vs LA Knight vs Shinsuke Nakamura – Men’s MITB Qualifiers
In the second Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat match of the show, Aleister Black, Shinsuke Nakamura, and LA Knight battled to secure the second spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match on June 07.
LA Knight picked up the win to join Solo Sikoa as he stole the pin from Aleister, who landed the black mass when Nakamura was trying for the kinshasha, but it was Knight who got the three count and picked up the win to advance.
Backstage
The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were backstage, laughing at Aleister Black’s loss. Hayes mentioned that he was in the Money in the Bank qualifiers next week, noting how he earned the opportunity. Miz, however, revealed that it wasn’t Hayes’ doing; he had sacrificed his own spot to give Hayes the chance because he truly believed in Hayes’ ability.
Solo Sikoa was backstage with Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo when General Manager Nick Aldis walked in, announcing that Fatu would be competing in the men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match next week.
Sikoa laughed and congratulated Fatu, who responded by dabbing Solo and saying, “I love you, Solo!” Fatu then left, leaving Solo in a state of disbelief and overwhelming joy. He couldn’t believe his ears and exclaimed that Fatu hadn’t said that to him in over six months.
Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair’s promo aired, where she opened up about how the past six months had been the most challenging of her career, from dealing with an injury to losing the tag titles and, for the first time, suffering a loss at WrestleMania.
Despite the hardships, Belair vowed to set a better example for herself, refusing to let the past six months define her. She cheered to a new beginning and promised that her best was yet to come.
Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) – WWE Tag Team Championship match
In the main event of the show, WWE Tag Team Champions Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) defended the titles against Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom), who are on a tear, defeating veterans, including the tag Champions themselves, albeit when they were injured.
The match delivered as promised, with both teams showcasing why they are the best tag teams in the world. However, neither of the two teams was able to pin the other as they kept breaking the pin attempts. However, it all changed as #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) walked in accompanied by Candice LeRae.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) charged in as they thwarted DIY’s interference in an intense back-and-forth exchange. Ford then took to the skies, launching a suicide dive from the post to take out everyone outside the ring. Inside, Dawkins hit a spinebuster on Frazer, gaining control for his team.
Ford was tagged back in as he climbed the ropes to set up for something big, but just as he was about to leap, the lights suddenly went out. When they came back on, the Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross & Joe Gacy) had made their eerie arrival on SmackDown, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Chaos ensued as Dexter took out Ford from the rope as Rowan took out DIY with a crossbody. Nikki Cross took out Candice LeRae ringside, while Lumis and Gacy took out Dawkins and Uncle Howdy, now targeting Frazer. Uncle Howdy delivered Sister Abigail to Johnny Gargano as the show ended with a terrifying return of the Wyatt Sicks.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Giulia defeated Charlotte Flair & Zelina Vega – Women’s MITB Qualifiers
- Candice LeRae returned
- Tomasso Ciampa pinned Chris Sabin
- Michin & B-Fab defeated The Secret Hervice (Alba Fyre & Piper Niven)
- JC Mateo & Jacob Fatu defeated Rey Fenix & Jimmy Uso
- LA Knight defeated Aleister Black & Shinsuke Nakamura – Men’s MITB Qualifiers
- Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) – WWE Tag Team title match ended in DQ
- Wyatt Sicks returned & made their SmackDown debut
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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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