Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown (May 16, 2025) emanates out of the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina and will air at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.
This post here will be updated frequently throughout the night to reflect live coverage of Friday Night SmackDown, including all the match results, rundowns of the promos, and any other interesting or noteworthy things that take place. Keep refreshing for updates to find out all the winners and more!
Preview & Predictions for WWE SmackDown:
On tap for today's episode, we'll have the backlash from Backlash, including the next steps for things such as John Cena's title reign after he had defeated Randy Orton and then thrown R-Truth through the press conference desk. Most likely, involved with an interview Wade Barrett will have with R-Truth, something with him will be announced for WWE Saturday Night's Main Event, as that's just right around the corner next week and there isn't time to build something too complicated, especially if they wait until next week.
Some qualifying matches for this year's Money in the Bank ladder match are also set to take place. Alexa Bliss, Michin, and Chelsea Green will be in a Triple Threat match for one of the women's spots, and Solo Sikoa, Rey Fenix, and Jimmy Uso will be competing for a men's ladder match spot. My guess is Green gets the pin on Michin and Bliss does something with a follow-up from the Charlotte Flair thing from last week (though Bliss winning the match is a solid option, too), and that since the AAA Worlds Collide show is happening on the same day, that will likely feature Rey Fenix, to take him out of this running. Solo Sikoa will pin Jimmy Uso, maybe due to some help from Jeff Cobb.
Tiffany Stratton will put her WWE Women's Championship on the line against Nia Jax. It'd be surprising if the title changed hands.
Fraxiom vs #DIY is also set to happen. Either team could win and it wouldn't be shocking, but Axiom and Nathan Frazer have been on a hot streak, so they might have the edge.
Aleister Black will have another match with Carmelo Hayes. To what purpose? Hopefully, it isn't just to have Melo lose again and follow the trend of people winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and then being cursed to job over and over afterward.
All that and more will go down tonight, so keep checking and refreshing for the most up-to-date results!
Here are your results for WWE SmackDown - May 16, 2025:
- Solo Sikoa, Jeff Cobb (JC Mateo) and Jacob Fatu opened the show with a promo introducing JC and allowing for some more tension between Sikoa and Fatu. LA Knight came out for a brief scrap before running off.
- Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green and Michin by pinfall on Green to earn a spot in the ladder match.
- Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) by pinfall. #DIY attacked Fraxiom after the match out of anger for thier loss, until The Motor City Machine Guns ran out to make the save. After the commercial break, The Street Profits congratulated Fraxiom on their win and informed them that they just spoke to Nick Aldis and they're having a title match for next week.
- Interview: R-Truth gave a bunch of excuses for John Cena not acting like himself, and confirmed that he'll be facing Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Saturday Night's Main Event.
- Promo: Damian Priest is going to face Drew McIntyre at SNME in a steel cage match.
- Aleister Black defeated Carmelo Hayes by disqualification after interference from The Miz, who took a Black Mass, allowing an opportunity for Melo to capitalize and hit Nothing But Net on Black.
- Backstage, Alexa Bliss spoke to Charlotte Flair about forming a friendship, as Flair once upon a time took her under her wing in NXT and she hasn't forgotten about it. Flair acted like she didn't remember that and that they were never close. Out of nowhere, Nick Aldis came out of his office with Giulia, announcing that she's the newest member of the SmackDown roster. He then wanted to talk to Flair about Money in the Bank. Flair told Bliss that if she wants to help, she should stay out of her way, as she doesn't need her. "We'll see about that" said Bliss.
- Promo: Drew McIntyre talked about how he's going to destroy Damian Priest in their steel cage match.
- Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa defeated Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso by pinfall on Fenix. LA Knight went on the attack again after the match and Nick Aldis made an impromptu match between Knight and JC Mateo.
- JC Mateo defeated LA Knight by pinfall
- WWE Women's Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) retained over Nia Jax by pinfall. Naomi came out during the match with a steel chair, and Jade Cargill ran interference. Ultimately, Stratton used the chair on Jax while the referee wasn't paying attention to help set up her Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
What are your thoughts on tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown? Drop your reactions in the comments below and spark a discussion!