WWE SmackDown Outcomes, Victors, and Scores on May 9, 2025: Recap and Evaluations
In a thrilling turn of events, WWE SmackDown put John Cena, a known icon, in the spotlight for his last appearance in Dayton, OH, declaring his intention to retire as the WWE's last real champion. This setting was ripe with tension as Cena prepares to face Randy Orton at WWE Backlash.
The event also featured LA Knight and Damian Priest taking on Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, with a power struggle between the duo overshadowing their victory. Meanwhile, Carmelo Hayes faced off against Aleister Black, and Jade Cargill challenged Nia Jax for the right to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Women's Championship.
Unfortunately, SmackDown suffered a slight dip in viewership, with 1.406 million viewers tuning in – a 12% drop from the previous week.
WWE SmackDown Ratings and Viewership
- May 2, 2025: 1.406 million
- April 25, 2025: 1.599 million
- April 18, 2025: 1.741 million
- April 11, 2025: 1.551 million
- April 4, 2025: 1.578 million
WWE SmackDown Results on May 9, 2025
- LA Knight and Damian Priest def. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa
- Alexa Bliss and Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
- Nia Jax def. Jade Cargill (No. 1 contender's match for the WWE Women's Title)
- Fraxiom def. The Street Profits
- Aleister Black def. Carmelo Hayes
- Andrade and Rey Fenix def. Los Garza
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Nutter Center (Dayton, OH)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,878
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Available: 241
WWE SmackDown Highlights, Winners, and Grades
LA Knight And Damian Priest Def. Jacob Fatu And Solo Sikoa
Knight and Priest's partnership crumbled under the pressure, leading to a chaotic match. Knight managed to pin Sikoa. However, the tension between the two did not subside after the match.
Alexa Bliss and Zelina Vega Def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Bliss made her return to Dayton, Ohio, much to the crowd's delight. The fan-favorite Bliss showed her stuff when she took down Green to seal the win.
Nia Jax Def. Jade Cargill (No. 1 contender's match for WWE Women's Title)
Cargill put up a valiant fight, but Jax emerged victorious. Backstage, Alexa Bliss made headlines by antagonizing Charlotte Flair.
Fraxiom Def. The Street Profits
Fraxiom challenged the Street Profits to a WWE Tag Team Title match, which left both teams impressed by their determination and skills. The match went on to become one of the best tag team matches of the year.
Aleister Black Def. Carmelo Hayes
Black addressed his absence with a heartfelt vignette, assuring fans that he was no longer the same man he was before. Carmelo Hayes, accompanied by The Miz, put up a good fight, but Black ultimately took the victory.
Rey Fenix And Andrade Def. Los Garza
Fenix and Andrade's impressive performance earned them a standing ovation and "this is awesome" chants from the audience. Tensions between Humberto and Santos Escobar escalated after Humberto slapped Escobar in frustration.
John Cena Buries Randy Orton, Takes Another RKO
Cena publicly ridiculed Orton and vowed to make him look like a failure at Backlash. Despite a last-minute attempt to interfere, Cena dodged an RKO and retaliated with an AA. However, Orton ultimately exacted his revenge on Cena backstage.
Randy Orton's Surprise Appearance
Orton made his appearance, confronting Cena with another RKO, signaling their much-anticipated showdown at WWE Backlash. This encounter intensified the tension between the two combatants and kept fans on the edge of their seats for the upcoming event.
- Despite the slight drop in viewership, with 1.406 million viewers, the WWE SmackDown ratings still managed to attract a significant audience.
- welcomed back Alexa Bliss to Dayton, OH, as she and Zelina Vega secured a win over Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
- Andrade and Rey Fenix, receiving grades for their impressive performance against Los Garza, left the audience cheering and chanting "this is awesome".
