Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 04/25/25 Review

By John Canton • Published 25th April 2025
WWE Smackdown April 25 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring the WWE Champion John Cena, plus The Street Profits, #DIY, and Motor City Machine Guns in a TLC Match for the Tag Team Titles.

It’s the first WWE SmackDown since WrestleMania 41 from last week. I really liked Raw After Mania on Monday night, so let’s see what the blue brand has for us post-WM41. The WWE Backlash PLE is on May 10th, so it’s just two weeks away.

From the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, this is SmackDown for episode #1340. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some backstage walking shown of The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, and #DIY, with those three teams set for a TLC Match. The new US Champion Jacob Fatu was also shown walking along with Solo Sikoa, and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was also walking around. Joe Tessitore mentioned the last hour of SmackDown is commercial-free this week.

A video package aired about WrestleMania 41.

The commentary team is Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. It’s Mark Nash as the ring announcer.

Let’s Hear from John Cena…and Randy Orton

The Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena made his entrance. The graphic on the video screen just says “John Cena” on it without any colors. Cena did a slow walk to the ring with the WWE Title on backward as he walked down to the ring.

When Cena got into the ring, he made Mark Nash come into the ring just like he did on Raw. Cena made Nash read a paper. The fans were chanting, “Let’s Go, Cena/Cena Sucks,” before Cena said a word. Nash said his announcement was disrespectful, so he introduced “The Greatest Of All Time,” gracing Fort Worth with his presence for the final time, the last real champion…John Cena. Before Cena could say a word, here comes Randy Orton!

Analysis: I like the added touch of Cena making Mark Nash introduce him like that. It makes Cena look like a huge egomaniac.

The fans popped huge for Randy Orton as he walked out to the ring to confront his former rival, John Cena. Orton dropped Cena with an RKO on Raw this past Monday. The fans were singing Orton’s song.

Orton said it was 25 years ago when they first met and shook hands. Orton said that hustle, loyalty, and respect have been Cena’s mantra for his career, and that’s how Cena has been in his life. Orton said that he knows Cena needs fulfillment. Orton said that there are millions of kids that Cena has motivated and been a role model for. Orton said those kids set goals, and Cena made those children better because those kids looked up to him. Orton said that surely that means something to Cena. Orton said that Cena’s granted more wishes than anybody in Make-A-Wish history. Orton said that you can’t tell him that they were just a number because Orton knows that they meant something to Cena. Orton said he’s figured out how to fill the void. Orton told Cena he needs to have some damn kids. Orton talked about imagining some thick-jawed, huge forearm kids running around. Orton said it would make him a better human being.

Cena: “How dare you?” Cena trashed Orton for parent-shaming him in front of the whole world. Cena congratulated Orton for having children, and he loves them, which is good for you. Cena said that the reason he doesn’t have kids is because he spent the last 25 years raising the fans’ kids. Cena said by the sound it from this group tonight, he has done an impeccable job. Cena spoke about how, for the last 25 years, he’s been a better parent to your children than you could ever be. Cena told a kid in the front row that his dad’s a loser. Cena said that a 6-year-old just gave him the finger, and that’s classy. Cena said that’s why he doesn’t have kids because he has been policing brats like this for a quarter of a century. Cena advised the kid never to bring a knife to a gunfight.

Orton said that these fans are the reason you are standing before him right now. Orton said that WWE is why you made it to Hollywood and you are crushing it. Orton said that Cena developed his work ethic and he’s crushing it in Hollywood. Orton told Cena that the fans are the biggest reason why Cena is standing in the ring with Orton right now. Orton said that he’s made mistakes, but he can hold his head high because he has the respect of his peers. Orton said he’s like a piece of furniture here because he’s here to stay, while Cena is just a guest.

Cena used to believe without them, there would be no WWE. Cena said that “We” didn’t win anything because “I did.” Cena said he didn’t need the fans because they will chant “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” so of course the fans chanted it again. Cena said that Orton is like them because they’re all hypocrites. Cena talked about how this is dysfunctional because Orton thinks Cena is a guest now and Cena said that the fans are manipulating the truth to make them feel good since they have done nothing with their lives. Cena trashed a fan for dressing up as Jack Black. Cena said that he’s 100 years old and that’s all he has to say for his life. Cena gets labeled an outcast and a guest for wanting to try something different.

Orton said that he was so stupid to think that Cena would listen to what Orton was saying. Orton said it was a bizarro world with him as the good guy. Orton talked about how Cena wants to ruin wrestling while Orton said that wrestling has given him everything and wrestling will provide for him and his family even after he’s put in the ground. Cena told Orton to shut his mouth. Cena said he’s already won 17 (WWE World Titles). Cena told Orton that he’s won 14, but when Cena takes it home with him, Orton will be frozen at 14. Cena said that they will create some other championship, but Orton’s counter will start at 1. Cena said that when he leaves here, he’ll make sure that three generations of Orton’s family is erased. Orton told Cena that if you’re the last real champ, he wants Cena to prove it right here and right now.

Cena said no to Orton’s idea. Cena said, like so many times over the past 25 years, he’s doing it to save his ass. Cena said there should be a match – Randy Orton vs. John Cena for the Undisputed Championship, but it shouldn’t happen here. Cena said it should happen at Backlash in St. Louis and for Randy it’s great since he’s from St. Louis. Cena told Orton that he should spend the whole day with his family, show up well-rested, and be at his best because he needs Orton at his best. Cena said when Orton fails, Orton will have no excuses.

Cena told Orton to take a good look at the Last Real Champion, and this is as close as Orton is ever going to get to this championship. Cena threw the title at Orton and Cena punched Orton to knock him down. Cena stomped on Orton repeatedly. When Orton got back up, Cena charged with the WWE Title, but Orton ducked it and Orton dropped Cena with an RKO. Orton posed with the WWE Title on the turnbuckle and Orton’s music played to end it.

Analysis: I liked this. It was a long segment that covered a lot since John Cena and Randy Orton have a history together that goes back 25 years as Orton said. They both debuted on the main roster around the same time in 2002 and had many matches together in the years that followed. As Orton said, it was a bit of a bizarro world with Orton as the face while Cena is the heel but that’s the world we’re in now. Orton dropped Cena with an RKO on Raw, so it was obvious that they would build to a Backlash match. Cena bringing it up as a way to try to humiliate Orton in his hometown of St. Louis was a good way to do it. Orton got the advantage again with the RKO, so it shows that perhaps Orton can win. I think Cena will hold the title for several months, though, so I don’t see a title change happening.

A video package aired letting us know that former NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) are now on SmackDown. They were my pick for the best team in WWE last year because of how great they were on NXT. I think they will fit in anywhere and they make everybody around them better.

The Los Garza team made their entrance for tag team action up next. The first break was 32 minutes into the show.

(Commercial)

A graphic was shown making it official for WWE Backlash: John Cena defends the Undisputed WWE Title against Randy Orton. That’s on May 10th in St. Louis.

Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Los Garza – Angel & Berto (w/Santos Escobar)

Axiom hit a hurricanrana early on. Frazer hit a running kick. Fraxiom sent their opponents out of the ring. Frazer and Axiom each hit dives. Frazer hit a somersault dive over the top. Axiom hit a moonsault off the top. Axiom was running the ropes, Angel opened the ropes and Axiom bumped to the floor. They went on a break, and I’ll take a break too. Los Garza was in control during the break.

It was Axiom breaking free to tag in Frazer, who hit a superkick on Angel. Frazer ran the ropes leading to a forearm on Garza and a Slingblade. Frazer hit a reverse DDT and a running Shooting Star Press for a two count. Joe Tess called it a senton, but it was really an SSP. Berto hit a jumping kick to Frazer’s head. Angel got a blind tag and hit a superkick while Frazer was doing a moonsault attempt. Los Garza gave Frazer a double body slam off the top. Berto hit a moonsault off the top for two because Axiom barely made the save. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them. Angel and Axiom exchanged punches, Axiom hit a kick and Angel headbutted Axiom to knock him down. Angel went up top, Axiom met him there with a jumping kick and Frazer made a tag. Axiom hit a Spanish Fly off the top. Frazer hit an impressive Phoenix Splash off the top for the pinfall win after about 9 minutes. Axiom hit a Golden Ratio kick on Berto that the director missed too.

Winners by pinfall: Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match for the time given. Axiom was the face in peril, Frazer was on fire after the hot tag and Fraxiom won with the Spanish Fly/Phoenix Splash combo that they have used a lot to win matches. I think Fraxiom are going to stand out and gain a lot of fans quickly as they get more opportunities. Raw has a thinner tag team division, so they could have fit in there, but there will probably be a WWE Draft to shake things up soon, anyway.

They showed #DIY getting ready for their match later. Tommaso Ciampa without the big beard looks different.

Tiffany Stratton was up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Tiffany Stratton

It’s Tiffy Time because the WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance for a match, but she did a promo first. Stratton said that at WrestleMania in front of 60,000 people, it was Tiffy Time. Stratton said she went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest of all time, Charlotte Flair. Stratton said in the end, she prevailed and walked out of WrestleMania still the WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton said she wasn’t the next Charlotte Flair. Stratton said that there is only one Tiffany Stratton.

Jade Cargill arrived for the interruption. Jade said she told Stratton that her match with Charlotte was impressive, but it created a target on Stratton’s back. Jade said that since she’s finished with Naomi, she has nothing but time. Jade said it’s time for everyone to see that she came here to be a champion. Jade said that just because you beat Charlotte doesn’t make the best and Jade wanted Stratton to face her. Stratton didn’t back down, so she called a referee out there. The referee, Daphanie LaShaunn, went into the ring, so the match was on.

(Commercial)

Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill

The match started when they returned from the break. This was not a title match. Jade knocked Stratton down with a shoulder tackle. Stratton avoided a charging Jade and Stratton got a rollup for two. Jade hit an impressive leapfrog followed by an arm drag. Stratton spun around Jade’s body for an arm drag. Jade caught Stratton and hit a backbreaker. Stratton tripped up Jade by the ropes and Stratton hit a running hip attack. Jade hit a powerful spinebuster for two. Stratton got a rollup for two and Stratton hit a spinebuster for two. Stratton hit a handspring back elbow on Jade against the turnbuckle. Stratton hit another handspring back elbow for two. The match continued as the show went to break for some fans. Stratton hit a suplex for two. Jade hit a sidewalk slam for a two count. Jade sent Stratton into the turnbuckle followed by kicks to the body. Jade sent Stratton hard into the turnbuckle. Jade did some push-ups to show how easy it was. Jade hit a running back elbow against the turnbuckle and Jade grabbed a chinlock. Stratton broke free with a clothesline, but Jade bounced off the ropes with a kick. Both women were down.

Stratton put Jade on her shoulders followed by a rolling senton. Stratton slipped on the ropes going for moonsault, but Stratton went for it and Jade moved out of the way. Stratton went for a move, Jade caught her and Jade hit a sitout Powerbomb for a two count. Stratton countered Jade, which led to Stratton bouncing off the ropes with a basement dropkick for two. Stratton went up top, but Jade hit a superplex to put her down. The screen went black a few times, so I think Stratton may have had a wardrobe malfunction of some sort. Stratton rolled out of the ring while Naomi went into the ring to attack Jade with punches. It went about 10 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Jade Cargill

Analysis: *** It was one of those matches where I didn’t expect a clean finish since both women are booked strong and I doubted that they would want to have Jade lose. This is a match that WWE could go back to later in the year since Stratton and Cargill are women they are going to want to feature in the future. I just figured a DQ was coming, whether it was Naomi or Charlotte, so I wasn’t surprised when Naomi showed up.

Naomi sent Jade shoulder-first into the ring post. Naomi was in full body attire with “Caution” on it. Naomi sent Jade into the ring post again. Naomi sent Jade into the ring post for a third time. Stratton went into the ring, so Naomi backed out of the ring. Nia Jax went into the ring and Jax ran over Stratton with a running body attack. Jax slammed Stratton’s head into the mat a few times. Jax hit a leg drop. Jax went to the middle turnbuckle and Jax hit the Annihilator. It looked like a gentle one. Jax held up the WWE Women’s Title over her head.

Analysis: Nia Jax was off TV for several weeks on the road to WrestleMania, so now she’s back looking like a dominant force again. I don’t see Stratton losing to Jax.

The Motor City Machine Guns were shown getting ready backstage.

The new US Champion Jacob Fatu was up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa

Jacob Fatu made his entrance with the United States Title and he was joined by his buddy Solo Sikoa. Solo said that at WrestleMania, everybody saw what Solo already knew – that Jacob Fatu is the future of this company. Solo said that nobody in his family wanted Jacob here, except for Solo. Solo said that they thought Fatu was too much of a risk, but Solo is the one that brought him here and took him to the promised land. Solo said that this is what happens when you love your family.

Fatu took the microphone and the fans were chanting “Fatu” for him. Fatu told us that he was going to win the US Title, the US Title was coming home to the family and he would do it with Solo or without him. Fatu said that’s exactly what he did. Fatu told Texas to look at his new US Champ and the fans cheered. Fatu said he knows this makes America’s Most Wanted and a Menace To Society. Fatu said that you better get in where you fit because he’s all gas and no breaks.

The former US Champion LA Knight made his entrance. Knight told Fatu that he would eat a BFT and Fatu was able to grab the rope. Knight said that Fatu was able to beat him n the middle of the ring. Knight gave Fatu credit for it. Knight said that he’s not worried about having a hell of match because he wants his rematch and he wants it right now.

Drew McIntyre joined the promo party. Drew said that much like Texas, he has some big guns. Drew said that he’s been screwed over time and time again. Drew said that he beat Damian Priest in one of the most violent matches in WrestleMania history. Drew said that he enjoyed beating Priest at WrestleMania. Drew said that he was going to challenge WWE Champion John Cena, but Randy Orton jumped the line even though Drew beat him a few weeks ago. Drew said that Cena doesn’t have it anymore so Drew wants to face the best champion and that’s Jacob. Knight trashed Drew for babbling on, so Drew mocked Knight’s last US Title run. Knight said he can’t remember Drew’s last title run. Knight said if Drew deserves the title shot so much, Knight wants Drew to show him.

The Smackdown GM Nick Aldis said that we can all see where this is going. Aldis said we can do Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight tonight and the winner is the number one contender for the US Title. Drew and Knight were fine with that, so we’ll see that match later.

Analysis: That’s an easy way to make a match. Knight made good points about wanting a rematch while Drew has a valid point about earning a shot since he beat Priest. Simple enough. I think they are likely going to split Fatu and Solo soon since the fans want Fatu to be a face.

Zelina Vega was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Vega said tonight is a night where she’s speechless because she’s wanted a shot at this Women’s US Title for so long. Vega said in Texas you go big or you go home. Vega said she’s not going home until she has the Women’s US Title. That match his next.

A video aired about WWE’s work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

(Commercial)

Zelina Vega made her entrance as the challenger. Vega beat Chelsea Green non-title last week by pinfall and by countout two weeks ago, so it’s a title match this week.

Women’s United States Championship: Chelsea Green (w/Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) vs. Zelina Vega

Vega punched Green and Vega flipped Green over to slam her into the mat. Vega went to the apron where she was distracted by Fyre and Niven on the floor. Green distracted the referee, so Fyre threw Vega into the LED board ring apron. Niven hit a senton splash on Vega on the floor. They went to a break and I’ll take a break too.

Green was in control during the break. They battled by the turnbuckle where Vega hit an impressive release German Suplex off the turnbuckle. Vega hit two clotheslines and running knee against the turnbuckle. Vega hit a Meteora off the middle turnbuckle for a two count. Fyre was on the apron, so Vega punched her down. Green took advantage with an enziguri kick. Vega hit a Backstabber double knees to the back. Vega ran the ropes, Niven tripped up Vega and then Fyre grabbed Vega’s head. Referee Ryan Tran saw it, so he ejected Niven & Fyre from ringside. Green hit Vega with a forearm to the back. Vega bounced off the ropes and hit a Code Red for the one…two…and three. Vega wins the US Women’s Title. It went about eight minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Women’s US Champion: Zelina Vega

Analysis: **3/4 The match was just okay. I think it was a good call doing a title change, and it was also booked well, with Vega getting the win right after Niven & Fyre were ejected from ringside. I enjoyed Green as the champion, but it felt like the right time to get the title on a new champion. Vega works hard, she’s been around for a lot of years and I’m happy for her getting a title.

Zelina Vega celebrated with the Women’s US Title. It is Vega’s first singles title win in WWE.

A video package aired about last week’s Andre The Giant Battle Royal, which Carmelo Hayes won.

Carmelo Hayes and The Miz were backstage with the Andre The Giant Battle Royal trophy. The Miz said he had a vision for Melo. Miz got Melo something. It was a necklace that had Andre’s head on it. Miz told Melo he earned it. Melo said that this represents the chip on his shoulder. Melo said he refuses to be denied and he’s the 10th Wonder of the World. Melo said he is Him. The Miz said he’s going to out to that ring and get something off his chest. Miz told Melo to enjoy this moment.

Analysis: I’m happy that Melo won the Andre battle royal. I’d be happier if Melo was featured more.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from The Miz

The Miz was in the ring in a white suit to deliver a promo. Miz said that since 2007, he’s been an integral part of WrestleMania. Miz said that this year he was nowhere to be found. Miz said that he main evented WrestleMania (one of the worst main event matches ever) and he beat John Cena, which Cody Rhodes wasn’t able to do. Miz complained about how Rey Mysterio didn’t come to him when he was injured, and instead, he got a guy who has been in WWE for only two months. Miz complained about Joe Hendry getting to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania while Miz pointed out he’s beaten Orton for the WWE Title. Miz reminded us that he is The Miz and his…awesome…as the lights went out in the building.

Aleister Black made his WWE return after several weeks of videos aired teasing somebody was coming to WWE. The arena was dark as Black was lifted up on a chair. It was the song that Black used to have. The fans popped for him. Black flipped into the ring and sat in the ring with his legs crossed.

When the lights came back on, the fans chanted “Welcome Back” for Black, who was in his wrestling gear. The Miz approached Black, wondering what he was doing, and Black hit a spin kick called the Black Mass to put Miz down. Black sat in the ring with his legs crossed as the ring went dark again with the lights off.

Analysis: Welcome back to Aleister Black. We knew that was coming and I thought it was very well done. Poor Miz is out there whining about being overlooked and not being booked for matches, yet here he is, looking like a fool while putting over the return of Aleister Black. I’m happy for Black, who was always booked well by Triple H in NXT in the past and now we get to see what he can do on the main roster. Also, it was a nice touch to have Black return to WWE in the segment after his wife Zelina Vega won the Women’s US Title.

The Street Profits were shown getting ready for the TLC Match.

The LA Knight-Drew McIntyre match was next week.

(Commercial)

Bianca Belair was interviewed by Byron Saxton, who praised the Sky-Belair-Ripley match at WrestleMania. Belair talked about how she had a few broken fingers after her WrestleMania match. Belair said that Iyo Sky found the opportunity to win. Belair said that Rhea Ripley found her way to slip into a match that Belair earned. Belair said that when she returns, she has some unfinished business to attend to.

Analysis: That likely means Belair will be involved in the Jade Cargill-Naomi story. Perhaps Belair will go after Naomi for attacking Cargill last November.

A replay was shown of Nia Jax and Naomi attacking their rivals earlier in the night.

Nia Jax was backstage and she told Naomi to stay out of her way. Naomi told Jax to proceed with caution since Naomi wears the “Caution” outfits. Naomi left. Jax said that was rude.

LA Knight made his entrance for the US Title #1 Contender’s Match. They went to a break for some fans. Drew McIntyre made his entrance and he took his time getting to the ring.

US Title #1 Contender’s Match: LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre

They were exchanging holds early on. Knight managed to send Drew out of the ring, but Drew got back in. Drew hit a necksnap across the top rope. Drew ran the ropes and knocked Knight off the apron into the barricade at ringside. Drew remained in control with a brainbuster for two. Knight went for an attack off the turnbuckle, but Drew kicked Knight in the ribs for two. Drew worked over Knight with punches and kicks. Drew hit Knight with knees to the ribs, followed by a forearm to the back. Drew was selling his ribs after the brutal match he had at WrestleMania. Knight hit a suplex, so both guys were down. Knight got some offense going with a clothesline and a Russian legsweep. Knight sent Drew into the turnbuckle, followed by a jumping neckbreaker for two. Drew hit a headbutt. Knight countered Drew, leading to a pin attempt for two. Knight kicked Drew down and Knight jumped to the top for a top rope elbow for two. Knight sent Drew to the apron and Knight kicked Drew onto the commentary table. Knight slammed Drew’s head (really the hands) onto the commentary table repeatedly so that the fans could chant “YEAH” for it. The referee was looking at Drew in the ring, so Solo Sikoa pulled Knight out of the ring and Solo hit Knight with a Samoan Spike. Drew wasn’t sure about using Solo’s spike, but Damian Priest showed up to pull Drew out of the ring. That led to the DQ. It went about 9 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Drew McIntyre

Analysis: **3/4 It’s another match with a DQ finish, just as it was getting good. I’m getting tired of those kinds of finishes more than once on the same show. I wanted Drew to win this because I want to see him against Fatu.

Damian Priest beat up Drew on the floor. Priest gave Drew a Chokeslam through the commentary table at ringside. LA Knight got in Priest’s face saying that Priest cost Knight a shot at the US Title. Priest said he didn’t cost him anything. Jacob Fatu showed up to hit a suicide dive on Knight and Priest. Fatu sent Priest and Knight into the ring post and steel steps. Fatu hit the running hip attack and the jump up Moonsault on Knight. Fatu hit a running hip attack on Priest. Fatu hit a jump up Moonsault onto Priest as well. The fans popped for that.

Analysis: It was more destruction from Jacob Fatu. Big bump by Drew going through the table too, so that Priest/McIntyre feud is going to continue.

A video package aired about the Seth Rollins-Paul Heyman-Bron Breakker alliance that destroyed Roman Reigns and CM Punk.

The Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena was backstage. R-Truth said he was glad that Cena won the title. Truth said that Cena was his hero from the beginning. Truth said that if you need his help, Cena can give Truth a call. Jimmy Uso walked up to Truth, who said that Cena was the last real World Champion. Truth said that when he grows up, he wants to be like Cena. After Truth left, Jimmy goes: “But you’re already grown up.” True.

Next week on WWE SmackDown: Aleister Black vs. The Miz. That’s all they advertised for it.

Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match For WWE Tag Team Titles: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. #DIY – Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin

It looked like Ford was in some Shawn Michaels-style tribute gear since they were in Texas. There are about 30 minutes left in the show. The Tag Team Titles were above the ring. The first team to climb a ladder and retrieve them get the titles.

Ciampa without a beard looks so different. Gargano blocked a dive attempt by Sabin with a chair and he hit Shelley with the chair too. Dawkins saved Ford from a Ciampa attack on the floor. Dawkins ran Gargano into the ring post in a spot that Bobby Lashley used to use. Dawkins tried a climb, but Shelley wrenched on the leg against the ladder to stop that. Gargano stopped Shelley from climbing. Shelley sent Gargano’s head into the ladder. Sabin sent Ciampa’s head into the ladder. The Guns shoved the ladder into Ford’s head. Dawkins punched The Guns and Dawkins hit the 360 splashes on both Guns. Dawkins went up top, The Guns stopped that and The Guns stomped on the groin. No DQ in a match like this. Sabin held a chair while Shelley dropkicked the chair into Dawkins’ head. Shelley hit a missile dropkick into a steel chair against Ford’s head. There were four guys fighting on the floor, so Ford jumped over the top with a somersault dive onto four guys on the floor. Shelley was screaming in pain selling a right arm injury because Ford landed on the arm. Ford set up a ladder in the ring, Ciampa went after him and Ford stopped Ford from taking the titles down. Gargano climbed another ladder, but then Gargano jumped off the top of the ladder and hit a flatliner on Ford from the top of the ladder. That was an impressive move. Dawkins pulled Ciampa down to stop a climb attempt. Dawkins climbed a ladder, Gargano went up top and Dawkins jumped off the ladder with a Big Ending like Big E.

There was a climb attempt by Ciampa, but Sabin stopped him on the other side of the ladder. Dawkins shoved the ladder over that had Ciampa and Sabin on it. Ciampa hit both Guns with a steel chair. Gargano hit a chair shot on Shelley, who had a chair around his neck. The DIY boys hit Sabin with a chair too. DIY beat up Dawkins with chair shots to the body. Ford saved Dawkins from a double suplex. Dawkins was back up with a punch and Dawkins hit a spinning slam onto the chairs. Ciampa pulled Dawkins off the apron, but Ford kicked Ciampa onto Dawkins, who had Ciampa on his shoulders. Ford jumped over the top with a Blockbuster on Ciampa and Ford landed on the others on the floor. That was outstanding! The fans popped huge and chanted “this is awesome” for them. Ford got a prosthetic leg from a fand hit Gargano with it! That was funny and it drew a pop. Ciampa sent Ford into a ladder at ringside. Sabin hit Dawkins in the back with a chair. Ciampa sent Ford face first into a ladder that was against the apron. Dawkins was on a table on the floor, so Sabin went up top and Sabin hit a Superfly Splash onto Dawkins through the table! That was impressive Ford set up Ciampa on a table on the floor, so Ford jumped over the top with a somersault dive to put Ciampa through a table on the floor! That was wild. The fans chanted “This is awesome again.”

Ford kicked Gargano while on the apron. Ford kicked Ciampa, but Ciampa came back with two kicks. Ciampa gave Ford an Air Raid Crash through the ladder bridge from the apron to the barricade. Gargano tried a climb, but Shelley stopped that climb. Sabin sent Gargano into the turnbuckle and Sabin hit a running kick. Sabin got on a table with Gargano, so Shelley did a slingshot dive over the top, which ended with Shelley splashing Gargano through a table. That was very creative and a great spot. The fans chanted “this is awesome” again. Ciampa did a slow climb up the ladder, Ciampa held onto the bar above the two titles and The Guns hit Ciampa’s legs with steel chairs. Dawkins climbed up a ladder and Dawkins gave Ciampa a Spear off the ladder and through the table that was in the ring. That was wild. The fans were shocked at ringside while Joe was freaking out about it. Dawkins did that about as safely as you could, but it’s still a crazy spot.

Sabin and Shelley set up a ladder under the titles. Shelley did a slow climb, Gargano got back in the ring with a chair that he used on Sabin and Gargano threw a chair at Shelley too. Sabin climbed on the opposite of Gargano. Sabin punched Gargano a few times. Ford jumped onto the ladder and punched Sabin to knock him down. Gargano trapped Ford against the ladder and Gargano hit a superplex. Gargano reached the titles with his hands, but Sabin was there. Ford climbed the ladder from the inside of it. Ford rammed Gargano and Sabin’s heads into the ladder. Ford went up top and unhooked the Tag Team Titles for the win after 24 minutes. What a match! Wow.

Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins

Analysis: ***** Amazing match. I don’t go five stars that often, but after watching this one, it felt like a five star match to me. That was an incredible match with all six guys putting their bodies on the line. They took some big bumps throughout the match and it was very exciting the whole way. They got a lot of time, and Montez Ford stood out with some big spots throughout the match. Those moves like the Blockbuster on the floor, the somersault dive through Ciampa through the table, the dive over the ring post and so many other great spots. I loved the Guns hitting their finisher by going over the top and through a table. Ciampa seems like he got his ass kicked throughout the match, but he did hit the Air Raid Crash onto Ford through a table. There was so much going on here and it was so much fun to watch. I highly recommend watching this car crash-style match because these six men busted their asses and gave us an amazing WWE TV match. It’s so rare to see TV matches at this level. Thank you to the six guys involved for putting on an absolute classic TLC match that I won’t forget any time soon.

The Street Profits celebrated with the WWE Tag Team Titles. There were replays of the key spots in the match for a few minutes. The Street Profits went into the crowd to celebrate with the fans. They posed for the cameras. That was the end of the show.

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Three Stars of the Show

1. The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns and #DIY

2. Randy Orton and John Cena

3. (tie) Aleister Black – Welcome back.

3. (tie) Zelina Vega – Congrats on the title win.

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The Scoreboard

8.5 out of 10

Last week: 7.5

2025 Average: 7.40

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Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

The main event TLC match is one of the best WWE TV matches I’ve seen in a long time. I guess there was that excellent Rollins/Punk Steel Cage Match this year, but this was another level. The Street Profits, #DIY, and Motor City Machine Guns deserve a lot of credit for putting on an incredible match that only got better as it progressed. They put their bodies on the line to entertain us, the fans were hot for all of it, and it was very entertaining. It’s a WWE Match of the Year contender.

I liked the John Cena-Randy Orton promo exchange to start the show. It was one of Cena’s better heel promos, and it helps that he was out there with a guy like Orton, who is legit one of Cena’s best friends, and they know eachother so well. It will be fun to see them one more time at Backlash.

Welcome back to Aleister Black. I’m happy he’s returned to WWE. I also like seeing Fraxiom on Smackdown. That’s going to be a boost for the blue brand, too.

Raw was awesome after WrestleMania, and so was SmackDown. Good stuff.

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Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Maple Leafs. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @johnreport