3/14/25 WWE Smackdown Recap
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Venue: Olimpic Arena
Commentary Team: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett
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Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, Randy Orton, the Street Profits, #DIY, Paul Heyman are shown walking backstage.
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The new WWE United States Champion, LA Knight, makes his way to the ring. Knight says it was way too long that he stood in the ring without the championship, but he is interrupted by Jimmy Uso. Uso says he is not out to congratulate Knight, but he is out to say he is desperate. Uso says the only way to start his road to WrestleMania is to challenge Knight for the title. Then, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga interrupt.
Sikoa says if anyone deserves a title shot, it is Fatu. Sikoa tells Uso to do them a favor and step aside because he is a failure. Uso says the biggest thing he failed at was trusting Sikoa as his little brother, and that the biggest failure was Sikoa losing to Roman Reigns.
All five guys brawl in the ring, with the Bloodline gaining the advantage, before Braun Strowman hits the ring to even the numbers. Strowman, Uso, and Knight clear the ring, and then Nick Aldis comes to the stage to make a six-man tag team official for right now.
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Match 1 – Six-Man Tag Team Match
Braun Strowman, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight vs. The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga)
Back from the commercial, Sikoa is in control of Uso and delivers shots in the corner. Uso comes back with shots of his own in the opposite corner, and then knocks Fatu and Tonga to the floor. Sikoa comes back with a spinning slam and gouges his face in the ropes. Fatu tags in and connects with a senton on Uso before Tonga tags in. Tonga connects with a splash over the top rope and tags Sikoa back in. Sikoa delivers a hip attack to Uso and tags Fatu back in. Uso counters with a jaw-breaker and follows with an enzuigiri before tagging in Knight.
Knight delivers right hands to Fatu and follows with a neck-breaker after dodging a splash in the corner. Knight delivers a DDT and goes for the cover, but Fatu kicks out at one. Fatu delivers a thrust kick and takes Knight to the corner. Knight dodges a splash and takes Fatu down before delivering an elbow drop. Knight goes for the DFT, but Tonga distracts the referee and Knight. Fatu takes Knight down as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Sikoa delivers right hands to Knight in the corner. Knight dodges a hip attack and drops Sikoa with a back suplex. Tonga tags in, as does Strowman, who clears the ring. Strowman runs over Sikoa, Fatu, and Tonga on the outside. Fatu gets sent over the commentary table, and then Strowman gets Tonga back into the ring and slams him with a running powerslam for the pin fall.
Winners: Braun Strowman, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight
-After the match, Knight and Sikoa brawl over the barricade, and Fatu gets back into the ring and beats Strowman down. Fatu connects with a springboard moonsault to Strowman before leaving the ring with Tonga. Fatu runs back to ringside as Strowman gets up and sends him through the barricade with a shoulder tackle.
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Footage from last week’s Smackdown of Naomi revealing that she was Jade Cargill’s attacker and Cargill’s subsequent beat down on Naomi airs. Following, a sit-down interview with Cathy Kelley and Cargill airs. Cargill says she is okay and is ready to go. Cargill says Naomi thought she could dictate what she deserved and asks how that worked out for her. Cargill says all she can recall is being hit from behind and being thrown on the car, and then seeing Naomi run away. Cargill says Noami attacked her heart as well, and she should have pushed her harder.
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez interrupt and argue with Cargill about being blamed for her attack. Cargill challenges Morgan to a match next week, and Morgan agrees and tells Cargill to avoid cars until then.
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B-Fab is backstage and she talks about her match against Charlotte Flair.
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Match 2 – Singles Match
B-Fab vs. Charlotte Flair
They lock up and Flair backs Fab into the corner. They have a clean break and lock up again. Flair takes Fab down again, and then immediately follows with a shoulder tackle as Fab gets back up. Flair delivers a few chops, but Fab dodges the last one and kicks Flair in the face. Fab takes Flair down, and then follows with a hammer-lock slam for a two count as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Flair is in control and takes Fab down with a snapmare. Flair slams Fab’s face into the mat a few times while applying a head-scissors hold. Flair kips-up and goes for the Figure Four, but Fab kicks her face-first into the turnbuckle. Flair comes back and shoves Fab’s face, but Fab comes back with right hands. Fab spears Flair in the corner and follows with a suplex. Fab kicks Flair in the head in the corner and sends her across the ring, but Flair comes back with a kick of her own. Lair gets back into the ring, but Fab delivers a pump kick for a two count.
Fab goes for another suplex, but Flair holds onto the ropes and delivers a superkick. Flair delivers Natural Selection and then applies the Figure Four. Flair transitions into the Figure Eight, and Fab taps out.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
-After the match, Flair keeps the hold applied, but Tiffany Stratton hits the ring to make the save. Flair and Stratton brawl before referees and security hit the ring to separate them. They break free and continue brawling, and then Stratton pulls Flair to the floor. They exchange more shots on the outside before being pulled apart again. Stratton jumps off the steps to take Flair down again, and then delivers right hands before Flair gets away. Flair jumps off of the commentary table and they continue brawling on the floor before they are pulled apart again. Stratton gets free again, and then drops Flair and a lot of security with a flip from the top rope. They are finally pulled apart for good and stare each other down.
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A pre-recorded promo airs for Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says someone has benefitted every time he has been screwed, and that someone is Damian Priest. McIntyre talks about WrestleMania XL, Clash at the Castle, and Money in the Bank last year, and then brings up the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber this year. McIntyre says if Priest wants his attention, he’s got it. McIntyre says this isn’t about the World title, but it is now about putting Priest down.
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The Miz comes to the ring for an edition of MizTV, where his guest is the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, as the show heads to a commercial.
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Back from the break, Flair and Stratton brawl back into the arena, and Flair throws Stratton into the production area. Security tries to separate them, but Stratton climbs to the top of the video tron and dives onto everyone.
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The Miz says that was an awesome way to start MizTV, and then he introduces Rhodes. Miz says he doesn’t have time for a singalong with Rhodes, and then Rhodes drops him with a right hand. Rhodes delivers a Cross Rhodes and says he doesn’t want to talk to anyone unless his name is John Cena. Rhodes says if Cena actually shows up on Raw next Monday, he will be there, too.
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Earlier today, Aldis was backstage with Shinsuke Nakamura, and Nakamura wants a rematch for the US title. Aldis says Nakamura is lucky he isn’t suspended, and then Damien Priest walks up and asks where McIntyre is. Aldia says he doesn’t know, and then Priest and Nakamura get into it. Priest says he is looking for a fight and he wants to give Nakamura a beating, and Aldis makes it official.
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A short vignette airs, showing an orange backdrop with lightning strikes as a masked wrestler walks the ropes and sits on the top turnbuckle.
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Match 3 – Singles Match
Damian Priest vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
They lock up and Priest backs Nakamura into the corner. They have a clean break and exchange holds. Nakamura backs Priest into the corner and delivers a few shots before kicking him in the chest. Priest blocks the last kick and throws Nakamura into the corner. Priest delivers an uppercut and follows with right hands before slamming Nakamura down. Priest clotheslines Nakamura to the outside as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Nakamura takes Priest down and goes for the cover, but Priest kicks out at two. Nakamura applies a rear chin-lock, but Priest delivers body shots to get free. Nakamura takes Priest down with more shots and comes off the ropes, but Priest dodges and slams Nakamura down. Priest follows with a few more shots and drops him with a Falcon Arrow. Nakamura rolls to the outside, but Priest slams him onto the commentary table. Priest gets Nakamura back into the ring and connects with a cross-body from the top rope. Priest goes for a clothesline, but Nakamura ducks and takes Priest down.
Nakamura applies an arm-bar, but Priest gets to his feet. Nakamura delivers shots, but Priest counters with an enzuigiri. Priest drops Nakamura with a clothesline and sets up for South of Heaven, but McIntyre appears at ringside. Nakamura gets a roll-up for a two count, and then delivers a strike to Priest’s head. Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa, but Priest counters with the South of Heaven before McIntyre attacks him and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner via disqualification: Damian Priest
-After the match, McIntyre and Nakamura attack Priest. McIntyre gouges Priest’s eyes and Nakamura delivers the Kinshasa. Nakamura leaves the ring, and McIntyre continues to beat down Priest. McIntyre tosses Priest to the floor and alms him into the barricade. McIntyre hits Priest with the ring steps before the referee finally backs him away. Priest gets back into the ring, but McIntyre runs back down and drops him with the Claymore. McIntyre tells Priest that he has screwed him all year, and then stomps on his head before leaving the ring.
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Cathy is backstage with the WWE Tag Team Champions, #DIY. Tommaso Ciampa asks why Smackdown has the best tag team division in the world, and then says it’s because they are at the top of it. Johnny Gargano says The Street Profits are always in second place and Barcelona will find out tonight why #DIY is the best tag team in the world. Motor City Machine Guns interrupt and Alex Shelley says the joke is on #DIY now, because the whole division is after them. Chris Sabin says they haven’t forgotten what #DIY did to them, and there is unfinished business between them.
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Cathy is backstage with the WWE Women’s United States Champion, Chelsea Green, and the Secret Hervice, Alba Fyre and Piper Niven. Green says she has suffered a lot of disservice during her reign so far, but she brought out her secret weapon and the administration is in full force. Zelina Vega interrupts and says becoming the new champion sounds good to her. Niven says if Vega wants to get to Green, she has to go through them. Vega says that’s fine and she will go through Niven next week.
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Match 4 – Singles Match
Carmelo Hayes vs. Randy Orton
Hayes fakes a handshake and shoves Orton. Orton throws him into the corners repeatedly, and then follows with right hands. Orton throws Hayes shoulder-first into the ring post, and then slams him onto the commentary table as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Hayes has Orton in a side-headlock. Orton delivers shots to get free, but Hayes kicks him in the midsection. Hayes counters a suplex and chop blocks Orton’s knee. Hayes follows with a kick to the face and goes for the cover, but Orton kicks out at two. Hayes applies a sleeper hold and follows with knee strikes and a kick to the midsection. Hayes sends Orton to the corner, but Orton comes back with a clothesline. Orton follows with another clothesline and follows with a scoop slam. Orton goes for a draping DDT, but Hayes gets free. Hayes comes off the ropes, but Orton drops him with a powerslam for a two count.
Orton delivers the draping DDT and sets up for the RKO, but Hayes rolls to the floor. Orton catches him, but Hayes guillotines him over the top rope. Hayes goes for Nothing but Net, but Orton dodges. Hayes kicks him in the midsection and connects with a springboard back elbow for a two count. Hayes goes up top, but Orton cuts him off and delivers right hands. Hayes fights back, but Orton delivers more shots and climbs. Orton delivers a suplex and goes for the RKO, but Hayes shoves him away. Hayes delivers First 48, but Orton comes right back with the RKO for the pin fall.
Winner: Randy Orton
-After the match, Orton tries to show respect to Hayes, but Hayes shoves him away. Orton drops Hayes with another RKO and backs into the corner. Orton goes for the Punt, but Kevin Owens saves Hayes. Orton goes after Owens on the outside and delivers shots, but Owens slams him into the barricade and escapes through the crowd.
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A recap of the brawl between Fatu and Strowman from earlier airs, and then Sikoa and Tonga hype up Fatu backstage. Fatu says Strowman can’t touch him and challenges him to a match on next week’s show.
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The World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther, makes his way to the ring.
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A short vignette with a black screen and a white number “4” airs.
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Gunther says he is the greatest European wrestler of all time and then says he wishes they were in Madrid instead. Gunther says he is here to prove a point that when the bell rings there is no one better and is going to prove right now that he is better than the best wrestler from Spain, Axiom.
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Match 5 – Singles Match
Axiom vs. Gunther
They go back and forth, and Gunther backs Axiom into the corner. Axiom gets free and delivers a quick kick. Gunther throws Axiom down, but Axiom comes back with kicks to Gunther’s leg. Gunther goes for chops, but Axiom dodges and delivers a shot to Gunther in the corner. Gunther puts Axiom on the top turnbuckle and goes for a chop, but Axiom applies an arm-bar in the ropes. Axiom gets back to the mat, but Gunther drops him with a chop as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Gunther is still in control and tries to rip at Axiom’s mask, but Axiom hangs his leg in the ropes and takes him down with a dropkick from the top. Axiom delivers forearm shots and follows with quick body shots. Axiom kicks Gunther in the head and gets a roll-up for a two count. Axiom delivers a knee strike to Gunther’s face and comes out of the corner, but Gunther counters with a kick to the chest and a powerbomb for a two count. Gunther goes up top, but Axiom cuts him off with an enzuigiri. Axiom goes up top, but Gunther shoves him down. Axiom comes right back with a kick to the head and goes for a hurricanrana, but Gunther holds on and goes for a powerbomb.
Axiom counters with a hurricanrana and follows with the Golden Ratio for a two count. Axiom delivers a few kicks to the chest, but Gunther comes back with a chop. Axiom delivers more kicks and applies a submission after blocking a chop. Gunther gets free and delivers a powerbomb. Gunther follows with a clothesline and delivers a third powerbomb for the pin fall.
Winner: Gunther
-After the match, Gunther chokes Axiom out with a sleeper before referees hit the ring to get him to break the hold.
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Footage of the Steel Cage Match between CM Punk and Seth Rollins from this past Monday’s Raw is shown, featuring the return of Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman is then in the ring. Heyman says this is Roman Reigns Day, because it is the release of the WWE 2K25 video game. Heyman says he is friends with CM Punk, but it’s not even CM Punk Day and it certainly isn’t Seth Rollins Day. The crowd sings Rollins’s song, but Heyman says he hates that song. Heyman says if anyone has a problem with that, they can say it to Reigns’s face next week when he returns to Smackdown.
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The Street Profits are backstage when Legado Del Fantasma walk up. The Profits ask if there is a problem, and Santos Escobar says no, but if they win the titles they will be there to take them off of them.
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Jimmy Uso is backstage when Gunther walks up. Gunther says they have some things in common and asks if he saw his match. Uso says yes, and Gunther says if Jey doesn’t back down from his title match at WrestleMania, he will do the same to him. Gunther asks Jimmy to tell Jey to back down, and then Jimmy says he isn’t going to do that, because Jey is going to beat Gunther at Mania. Gunther said he tried to do the right thing and walks away.
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Match 6 – WWE Tag Team Championship Match
#DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) © vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)
Ciampa and Dawkins start the match. Ciampa applies a side-headlock, but Dawkins sends him off the ropes and delivers body shots in the corner. Ford tags in and he and Dawkins take Ciampa down. Ford connects with an assisted moonsault and goes for the cover, but Ciampa kicks out at two. Dawkins drops Gargano with a right hand on the outside, but Ciampa stomps him down as he gets back into the ring. Gargano tags in and goes for a DDT on Dawkins, but Dawkins counters with an overhead throw. Ford tags in and drops Gargano with a cross-body from the top. Ford knocks Ciampa to the floor and drops Gargano with a clothesline. Pretty Deadly are shown watching the match backstage as Ford delivers a back elbow to Gargano. Ford knocks Ciampa to the floor, but Gargano sends Ford to the floor right after as the show heads to a commercial.
Back from the break, Ciampa is in control of Ford. Ciampa delivers a chop and goes for Fairy Tale Ending, but Ford counters with a back-body drop. Gargano tags in, but Ford kicks him in the face. Ciampa tags back in, but Ford kicks him away and tags in Dawkins. Dawkins drops Ciampa with a few clotheslines and follows with a leaping back elbow. Dawkins takes Gargano down as well and splashes Ciampa in the corner. Dawkins slams Ciampa down and goes for the cover, but Ciampa kicks out at two. Ford tags in and Ciampa fights out of the corner before Dawkins throws him into Ford for a back suplex. Ford goes for the cover, but Ciampa kicks out at two.
Ford goes up top for a 450 splash, but Ciampa gets his knees up. Gargano tags in and #DIY double-team Ford. Gargano goes for the cover, but Dawkins breaks it up. Dawkins kicks Ciampa in the head, Gargano takes Dawkins down, and then Ford kicks Gargano in the face. Ford delivers a knee strike and Dawkins sends Ciampa into the barricade with a shoulder tackle. Gargano takes Dawkins down and gets him into the ring, but Dawkins comes back and takes Gargano down. Dawkins puts Gargano on his shoulders and tags Ford, but Ciampa makes the save. Ford superkicks Ciampa to the floor and takes him out with a dive. The Profits hit the Doomsday Blockbuster and Ford goes for the cover, but Ciampa breaks it up.
Dawkins tags in and Ford goes for a dive, but Ciampa counters with a knee strike. Dawkins knocks Ciampa back to the floor and comes off the top, but Gargano dodges and tags in Ciampa. Ciampa delivers a strike to Dawkins, and then he slams Dawkins with the Fairy Tale Ending after Gargano delivers a superkick, but only gets a two count. Dawkins dodges Meet in the Middle and slams Gargano down. Ford tags in and Ford connects with the frog splash for the pin fall.
Winners and new WWE Tag Team Champions: The Street Profits
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Announced for next week’s Smackdown
-Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu
-Jade Cargill vs. Liv Morgan
-Piper Niven vs. Zelina Vega
-Roman Reigns returns
