WWE SmackDown Results
January 3, 2025
Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Commentary: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Results by Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com
Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre
WWE SmackDown kicks off with Cody Rhodes coming down to the ring to a loud pop from the crowd. Cody says normally he would ask what they want to talk about but they probably all want to talk about the same thing. He says timing is funny in life, just as it is in the industry. He says WWE is on the cusp of changing everything because tonight SmackDown goes three hours in Phoenix and Raw goes to Netflix. And his excitement is timbered because he can only be involved so much as he is not cleared to wrestle because of Kevin Owens. Cody says at the Royal Rumble, it will be him and Kevin Owens in a ladder match.
Drew McIntyre’s music hits and out he comes to the ring, interrupting Cody. Drew slowly gets in the ring and stares at Cody. Drew hugs Cody in the ring and Cody looks confused.
Drew says he is not here to hurt Cody, he is here to help him. He isn’t on Drew’s list but Cody is about to screw up his entire life’s work. Everything Cody did, all the dues that he paid to be the center piece, Drew says this is the greatest generation of the company. Right now is the best wrestlers they have ever had in ring and if you look at the numbers, the best of all time by far and Cody is the quarter back of it all. But Cody is about to screw it all up.
He tells Cody that there is a guy running around with a replica title like a fan in the crowd, pretending to be a champion. And Cody’s neck is hanging by a thread. Drew says this SmackDown gimmick, he can see that Cody needs a friend.
Cody cuts him off and tells Drew that he knows the transfer window is open and that Drew wants to help him. He says he would like to tell the truth back to Drew. He watched Drew carry WWE through its darkest times. He saw that over the last 2-3 years, Drew has become a beast on the microphone and in the ring. But he doesn’t believe Drew. He doesn’t believe Drew and he can feel the tension, the situation and it’s going to devolve.
He tells Drew if he wants a shot at the Championship, they might as well do it, everyone wants it. Drew tells him that he is telling him the truth, he is not here to hurt him, he is here to help him. Drew gets on the ring apron and he tells Cody that he needs to watch his back. Drew drops from the ring apron and Kevin Owens hits Cody from behind.
Out come WWE officials who try to break it up. Kevin is pulled to the outside of the ring and the officials break it up.
Backstage entrances
We cut to the back and we see The Bloodline entering the arena. We cut to Bianca Belair and Naomi entering the arena and to Nia Jax walking backstage.
-Commercial Break-
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Andrade
The bell rings and we are under way. Andrade with a hurricanrana and Shinsuke falls to the ring apron. Andrade with a dropkick and Nakamura falls to the outside of the ring. Andrade climbs the top rope and lands a moon sault.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Nakamura with a knee and a kick to the side of the head. Nakamura with kicks and right hands, he places Andrade on the second rope and he lands a snap, release German suplex. Nakamura climbs the second rope and lands a knee to the face. He goes for the cover but Andrade kicks out. He goes for the cover but Andrade kicks out. Nakamura removes the top turnbuckle pad and Andrade with a drop kick. Andrade with a running meteora. He goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Andrade climbs the top rope, he goes for a moon sault, Nakamura moves, Andrade lands on his feet and lands a standing moon sault. He goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Andrade with a back elbow. He goes for the cover but Nakamura kicks out. Andrade places Nakamura on the top rope, Andrade gets on the second rope but Nakamura slams Andrade face first onto the top of the ring post. Nakamura gets back into the ring and he hits Andrade with the Kinshasa. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
LA Knight’s music hits after the match and out he runs to the ring. LA Knight with a clothesline onto Nakamura. He goes for the BFT but Nakamura pushes him away and leaves the ring. LA Knight grabs a microphone and tells Nakamura that one way or another, he is coming to collect for what is owed to him. And he will stomp Nakamura to dust with everybody saying, LA Knight, Yeah!
Pretty Deadly and Legado Del Fantasma
Apollo Crews is shown walking backstage and he is stopped by Pretty Deadly. Crews tells them that everyone knew they were lying about who attacked Angelo Dawkins. In come Legado Del Fantasma. Santos tells them if Pretty Deadly are going to lie, they can lie to their faces. Pretty Deadly tells them that is ridiculous and to calm down. They grab Pretty Deadly but in comes Nick Aldis and WWE officials who break it up.
-Commercial Break-
Nick Aldis is speaking to Pretty Deadly and in come DIY. He tells them they are all on thin ice and walks away. DIY tells them they would be great number one contender’s but they have a big title match against Motor City machine GUns and it is very important that they leave tonight as champions.
Michin vs. Piper Niven with Chelsea Green
The bell rings and we are under way. Michin with kicks and a hurricanrana. Piper Niven rolls to the outside of the ring and Michin with a hurricanrana off the ring apron. Michin runs towards Piper but Piper slams her onto the floor.
Back from commercial, Piper goes for a cannonball but Michin moves out of the way. Michin with a cannonball onto Niven in the corner. Michin goes for the cover but Piper kicks out. Michin goes for Eat Defeat but Piper grabs her and hits her with the Piper Driver. She goes for the cover but Michin kicks out. Piper drags Michin to one of the corners and she climbs the second rope. She jumps but Michin with a kick to the face and she hits Piper with Eat Defeat. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Michin
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Paul Heyman is in the ring and he introduces himself. He says he wants to set the record straight. He says on Monday, we will find out who is the real Tribal Chief. He says he and Roman Reigns trained Solo to become the next in line to become the Tribal Chief. They taught him to become the Tribal Chief. They preppred him for the future, not now.
He says at WrestleMania, Roman turned his attention to Seth Rollins for a moment and Cody took advantage. And that is where Solo Sikoa stole the Ula Fala from Roman. He says “that stupid son of a bitch” stole it from Roman Reigns. He got rid of Jimmy Uso, the wiseman and everyone. And he brought in Tana Tonga, Jacob Fatu and Tonta Loa. Heyman is about to leave but out comes Solo Sikoa to the ring.
Heyman tells him he is 10 seconds away from pissing his pants because the last time he said that Solo was not his Tribal Chief, he got sent through a table. And he knows if he blinks at him wrong, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu will come out and the same thing will happen again.
Solo extends his hand and asks for the microphone. He tells Heyman that he wants to owe Heyman a favor. On Monday, he needs someone to hold the Ula Fala during the Tribal Combat match. He needs someone who love his family. And on Monday, if Roman beats him, he will acknowledge Roman as his Tribal Chief. But when he beats Roman, he will put the Ula Fala around his neck and everyone will know he owns the Ula Fala and that he owns Heyman. The fans boo and Solo leaves the ring.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Tag Team Championship – DIY (c’s) vs. Motor City Machine Guns
Sabin and Ciampa are in the ring and Ciampa with a big boot. He runs to the ropes but Sabin with a kick to the face. Both men are down. Gargano and Alex are tagged in, Alex with right hands. A neck breaker by Alex and Gargano is thrown to the outside. Ciampa is knocked off the ring apron. Alex is tagged in and they land double baseball slides onto DIY. Sabin is tagged in and in comes Gargano but Motor City Machine Guns with kicks onto Gargano. Alex goes for the cover but Ciampa breaks it up. Sabin grabs Ciampa and hits him with a right hand. All four men in the ring and they all knock each other down. Gargano is tagged in and he lands chops onto Alex. He throws Alex to the ropes and Sabin is tagged in. They double team Ciampa. They go for Skull and Bones but Pretty Deadly run down and they distract them. Ciampa with a knee to the face onto Alex and Gargano is tagged in. They double team Sabin. Gargano goes for the cover but Alex kicks out.
Legado Del Fantasma run to the ring and they chase Pretty Deadly away. Motor City Machine Guns with crossfaces onto DIY in the ring and DIY are about to tap but Pretty Deadly are chased into the ring and they fall onto DIY and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: No contest
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
We cut to the back and Nia Jax is with Candice LeRae. Nia asks her where Tiffany is and Candice tells her that Tiffany might still be angry about last week. Nia tells her she needs Bianca to stay out of her way and Candice tells her anything she needs and walks away.
-Commercial Break-
Sami Zayn is walking backstage and he is stopped by Carmelo Hayes. They both argue and Hayes tells him he had him beat but in come The Usos. They ask Hayes if they have a problem and Hayes says there is no problem. Zayn tells Hayes to tell him more and Hayes walks away. They shake hands and Zayn walks away. The Usos begin walking and talking and they bump into Kevin Owens. Jey tells him he has to watch where he is going and Owens tells him he has to watch his back and walks away.
We cut to Cody Rhodes walking backstage and he is stopped by Nick Aldis. He asks Cody if he is okay and Cody says he is. Aldis tells him that Cody begged him to have the match at the Rumble and now Cody might not make it. Cody says he respects the fact that he is thinking about his future, he is actually a good boss. He is the boss and he is the champ. But this is the most important week in WWE history. Cody says he has the right to call his shot. If Drew wants to be on SmackDown, Aldis should welcome him and bring him in.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Women’s Title Match – Nia Jax (c) with Candice LeRae vs. Naomi with Bianca Belair
The bell rings and we are under way. Naomi with kicks but Nia with a headbutt. She throws Naomi across the ring. Naomi rolls to the ring apron but Nia knocks her down.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Nia slams Naomi onto the mat. Nia with an elbow drop. She goes for the cover but Naomi kicks out. She throws Naomi shoulder first into the ring post and Nia gets on the ring apron. She crushes Naomi into the ring post. Nia goes for the cover but Naomi kicks out. She lifts Naomi up but Naomi rolls her up into a cover but Nia kicks out. Naomi climbs the second rope and lands a leg drop. She goes for the cover but Nia kicks out. She throws Nia to the outside and lands a suicide dive. She throws Nia back into the ring and lands a kick to the side of the head but Nia stays on her feet and Naomi with a Samoan drop. She goes for the cover but Nia kicks out. She grabs Nia but Nia throws her into the turnbuckle. Nia with a leg drop and she goes for the cover but Naomi kicks out. Nia climbs the second rope but Naomi trips her down onto the mat. Naomi climbs the second rope and lands a tornado DDT. She goes for the cover but Nia kicks out.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Nia goes for the Samoan drop but Naomi reverses it into a crucifix cover but Nia kicks out. Naomi with a submission, Candice gets on the ring apron but Bianca pulls her down and throws her into the barricade. Nia gets out of the submission, slamming Nia into the mat. Nia goes to the outside and throws Bianca into the barricade. Nia climbs the second rope and goes for the Annihilator but Naomi moves out of the way.
Tiffany’s music hits and out she runs. She wants to cash in but decides not to. With the referee distracted, she hits Naomi with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Nia climbs the second rope and she lands the Annihilator. Nia goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Still champion, Nia Jax
Bianca gets in the ring but Nia knocks her down. Tiffany hits Nia with the briefcase and she throws Candice into the ring post. Bianca hits Nia with the KOD. Tiffany throws Bianca to the outside.
Tiffany cashes in, she lands the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Tiffany goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: New WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton
-Commercial Break-
The Bloodline vs. The Usos and Sami Zayn
The bell rings and all six men fight in the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Zayn with an elbow on Tama Tonga. He gets back up but Sami with a clothesline. An arm bar and Jimmy is tagged in. Jimmy to the ropes but Solo hits him from behind. Solo is tagged in and he hits Jimmy with right hands. Solo distracts the referee and Tama Tonga with a right hand. Solo grabs Sami but Sami hangs him up on the ropes. He gets Solo in the corner and hits him with hands. Solo climbs the second rope but Solo catches him in a spinning Solo.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Sami with the blue thunder bomb on Solo and both men are down. Jey and Tama Tonga are tagged in. Jey with right hands. Jey and Jimmy double team Tama Tonga. In comes Jacob and they clothesline him to the outside of the ring. Jacob and Jimmy fall to the outside. Jey with a pop up neck breaker. He goes for the cover but Tama kicks out. On the outside, Jacob throws Jimmy into the barricade. Sami with a splash off the ring steps onto Jacob. Solo throws Sami into the barricade. Solo gets on the ring apron but Jey knocks him down. Tama Tonga hits Jey with a DDT. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Jacob is tagged in, Jey hits him with a super kick and tags Sami in. Sami tags Jimmy in and they double team Jacob. They knock The Bloodline off the ring apron. Jey and Sami with suicide dives onto the outside. Jimmy with the Uso Splash onto Jacob. He goes for the cover but Jacob kicks out. Jacob with a right hand and he lands a splash onto Jimmy. Jacob with a moon sault onto Jimmy. He goes for the cover but Sami breaks it up. Jacob grabs Jimmy but Jimmy pushes him in the corner and Jey is tagged in. They hit Jacob with a double super kick. Jey goes for the cover but Jacob kicks out.
Drew McIntyre walks down to the ring and that distracts Jey. Jacob grabs him, Jey runs to the ropes and lands a suicide dive onto Drew. Jey climbs the top rope and jumps, Jacob moves out of the way and he hits Jey with a pop up Samoan drop. Jacob goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Jacob drags Jey to the corner and Solo is tagged in. Jacob yells out “I love you Solo”. He runs towards Jey but Jey moves out of the way. Solo gets in the ring, Jey super kicks him to the outside and he spears Jacob. Jey climbs the top rope and he lands the Uso Splash onto Jacob. He goes for the cover but Solo hits him with the Samoan Spike. Solo goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winners: The Bloodline