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WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Live Grades and Highlights Before SummerSlam 2025
Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of the final SmackDown before this weekend's two-day SummerSlam PLE.
Since the annual summer event will be super-sized this year, a lot of time was spent hyping the show on Friday's SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso stepped into the ring with Talla Tonga, and we got an open challenge for the AAA tag titles with Angel and Berto.
We also saw some of the big players set to compete this weekend address their matches in promos, video packages and interviews.
Let's take a look at what happened on the blue brand this week ahead of SummerSlam 2025.
The Last Time is Still Now
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SmackDown opened with some aerial shots of New Jersey where this week's show was being held before we went to the arena for John Cena's entrance. He was greeted with a chorus of boos and chants of "John Cena sucks."
Before the Peacemaker star could say a single word, Cody Rhodes came out to the usual pop and crowd singing his entrance music.
Cena talked about how Rhodes forced him into a match he didn't want, but then he thanked him for giving him the motivation he needed. He said he bought into an idea five months ago and gave up everything he worked for in his career, and it led to him being alone.
Cena said he still wants to retire with the title, but not because he wants to ruin wrestling, because he doesn't want to be forgotten. He said this was the day he truly returned to WWE, and it will be the fans who win on Sunday when they fight.
Rhodes asked for two beers and they toasted, but unlike every time Steve Austin did it, this ended peacefully.
Cena did his best but this felt incredibly rushed. It felt like the setup to Cena attacking Rhodes again, but it wasn't. The live crowd seemed entertained, but this wasn't as good as it should have been.
Grade: C
Notable Moments and Observations
—The Jimmy Johns product placement felt so insignificant that it wouldn't be shocking if most people missed it.
—It's very funny to see Cena doing press for Peacemaker and acting all jovial, and then he goes to WWE and acts like he hates everything.
—Cena's voice cracked a bit when he got amped up.
Giulia vs. Zelina Vega
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Zelina Vega got a rematch for the United States Championship against the woman who beat her for the title last month, Giulia. Kiana James is now accompanying Giulia to the ring for matches.
They locked up and traded a couple of clean takedowns. They kept things technical at first, but Giulia began using more strikes after failing to get a three-count.
We returned from a break to see Vega trying to fight out of a submission. The former champion began to make a comeback and hit a German suplex from the middle rope.
This match was one of those that got better as it went. It started a little slow, but both women had some great moments during the second half. Both women had some close two-counts before the match finally ended with the champion hitting her finisher a second time to retain her title.
Result: Giulia defeated Vega
Grade: B
Notable Moments and Observations
—We saw a clip of Jelly Roll and Logan Paul getting into a fight at a training facility.
—It's weird how WWE only uses the 8K cameras for a few shots here and there.
—Giulia getting Vega up for a suplex was more impressive than usual because she was doing it with almost no leverage.
—The stomp Giulia used looked great. Vega sold it perfectly.
Los Garzas vs. Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown
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Angel and Berto held and open challenge for their AAA Tag Team Championships this week. The call was answered by Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown.
Psycho Clown and Angel started for their teams, and they immediately started using some fast-paced offense. The clown ripped off part of his mask to reveal a fully red-faced version, which didn't seem to land with the WWE crowd the way it would in AAA.
Los Garzas eventually took control and cornered PC while Santos Escobar watched intently. The crowd was already chanting for Mr. Iguana, which led to a big pop when he finally got the hot tag.
The puppet La Yesca was more over than anyone else in this match, which is kind of sad because all four guys are good talents. Being outshined by a puppet can't be easy.
This match had some hiccups along the way, but the majority of what they did looked good, especially when it came to Angel and Berto. The champions retained their titles, which got almost no reaction from the live crowd.
Result: Los Garzas defeated Psycho Clown and Mr. Iguana
Grade: C+
Notable Moments and Observations
—Solo Sikoa had a funny backstage interview with Cathy Kelley.
—Joe Tessitore acted like seeing Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown was like seeing the biggest rockstar in the world. It was kind of funny.
—Mr. Iguana nearly had a bad botch when he tried to run up the ropes.
—It looked like Angel forgot he was supposed to hit a dropkick when Psycho Clown flew off the top rope.
Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest
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Two men stepped into the ring for a grudge match this week when Damian Priest took on Aleister Black.
For two guys who have been at odds the way these two men have in recent weeks, it was surprising to see them begin with a lockup and some simple holds and counters.
Both men eventually started relying more on their striking ability. They both like to use a lot of kicks to the body, so they felt pretty evenly matched in a lot of ways.
The Archer of Infamy began to build up a head of steam and ended up sending Black over the announce table with a big pounce. As he cleared off the table, Black threw a chair at him to cause a disqualification.
We all knew this would not be their only encounter, so while this ending makes some sense, it doesn't mean it was the most satisfying way for it to end. Black kept up the attack and slammed Priest's head into the steel steps several times.
He finished off the attack with a Black Mass kick against the ring post.
Result: Priest defeated Black by disqualification
Grade: B-
Notable Moments and Observations
—This match could have been a good addition to SummerSlam.
—Priest no-sold Black's first kick but sold the second a bit more. It was a nice touch.
—Black almost fell flat on his face when Priest popped him up into the air.
Talla Tonga vs. Jimmy Uso
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The newest member of Sikoa's group made his singles match debut this week when he battled Jimmy Uso. Big Jim looked a little less enthusiastic than usual as he made his entrance.
Tonga took control right out of the gate and started taking Uso apart. He made sure to taunt his opponent as he repeatedly slammed and kicked him around the ring.
This match was a series of brief comebacks by Uso after taking punishment from the tallest Tongan. Eventually, Tonga won clean with a chokeslam. This wasn't the most exciting match, but it was good for WWE to make Talla look strong in his first performance.
Solo called for a cage hanging above the ring to be lowered so the MFTs could attack Jimmy without anyone stopping them. Before it got all the way down, Jacob Fatu came out and got in as it was lowering.
Sikoa and Talla escaped through the door while JC Mateo and Tanga Loa were left to deal with an angry Samoan Werewolf.
Result: Tonga defeated Uso
Grade: C
Notable Moments and Observations
—WWE aired a video showing Triple H with the president this week. It was brief but still felt unnecessary.
—Sikoa is so funny when he is at ringside for one of his guys.
—Jimmy's reaction to Tonga no-selling his suicide dive was great.
—Joe Tess keeps confusing Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa.
The Final Word
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As has become the case before almost all WWE PLEs, the final segment on this week's show was a promo, not a match. Jelly Roll, Logan Paul, Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre were the subjects.
Friday's show was the usual go-home episode we have grown accustomed to. It had a few matches, a few promos, a few videos and a couple of angles to put a bow on some feuds heading into the PLE.
The face turn from Cena seemed rush and it may be a swerve in the end, but for now, we are operating under the assumption that he will be a good guy moving forward.
Had Black and Priest's match had a clean ending, it might have stolen the show, but Vega and Giulia ended up having the best bell-to-bell performance of the night.
SummerSlam being two nights for the first time will be an interesting experiment. It has worked for WrestleMania so far, so it should be the same with this show.
Grade: B-
