WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - April 18th, 2025
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John Cena Returns to SmackDown Before WrestleMania 41
One night before WrestleMania 41, business will pick up as John Cena will return to SmackDown. The former Cenation Leader is ready to battle Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at The Showcase of the Immortals. The American Nightmare will also be at SmackDown, as these two are sure to bring down the house. How will these two Superstars close out their intense rivalry before their monumental clash at WrestleMania 41?
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore.
Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga arrive in VEHICLE and Tama has to go back to VEHICLE, but LA Knight attacks Tama from behidn and slams his head into a car and closes the door on Tama's hand.
Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring.
Seth welcomes us to Smackdown and tells us who he is. Seth looks at the Wrestlemania sign and the crowd chants for his Midwestern opponent tomorrow night so Seth sits cross legged in the center of the ring. Then the crowd chants for the person who was in a faction with him, but Seth says he will get to him later and he wants to deal with the first guy. That is the reason he came back? Because you chanted his name for ten long years? That is why he came back? Except when CM Punk came back to the ring, it wasn't a WWE ring. Did he come back because you were chanting his name or because someone wrote him a big fat check? When he burned that bridge like he burned every other one, he came back to WWE after ten years.
Did he come back because you chanted his name? It was because they wrote him another big, fat check. CM Punk likes to pretend and then Seth asks to tell him when he tells lies. Punk does not care about you or WWE. He is a liar, a fraud, and a coward. Say what you will about Roman Reigns, he doesn't pretend to care about you guys. He doesn't pretend to care about WWE and you can believe that. He only cares about himself. Roman is in the Roman Reigns business. He is Mr. Private Jet, limited schedule, hand picked opponent.
The crowd croons for Roman by saying his name a lot.
Seth says Roman loves when you love him. They know nothing about sacrifice. Seth says he knows everything about sacrifice. Funny enough, this whole story between them started 12 years ago and it started with Paul Heyman. Paul brought them into WWE to be a shield for CM Punk. Every single night, he sacrificed everything he had in the ring to be that shield. Did he get the credit? No, everyone in the back wanted the spotlight on Roman Reigns. It was about Roman. Roman was going to be the next John Cena. Roman was going to be the next cash cow. They put the spotlight on Roman. In the background, after CM Punk had gone away and he heard little echoes of CM Punk chants.
Meanwhile, he was making every show. He was in the ring every night, sacrificing everything and it culminated at Wrestlemania. His knee was hanging by a thread and his stepfather was dying but Seth says he had to be there to be a shield so Roman would lose. This started twelve years ago thanks to Paul Heyman. It ends tomorrow in the most important triple threat in the history of this industry. Seth says he will do what he has done for the last twelve years. He will lay it on the line and sacrifice everything he has to make sure that this business, company, and industry move in the right direction. Seth says that is not a prediction, it is a spoiler.
Seth cackles to end the promo.
They run through the cards for Wrestlemania.
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
They start throwing punches before the bell rings while Carlito spins around in the center of the ring like a record. Truth takes Carlito's apple and Carlito hits Truth from behind and then he bumps into Miz. Truth eliminates Carlito and then Carmelo is sent to the apron and he pulls Truth over. Miz kicks Truth off the apron to eliminate him. Kross says hello to his old friend Miz and Hayes climbs on Kross' back. Miz and Hayes work over Kross and Fenix sends Kross over the top to the apron. Humberto and Angel send Fenix to the mat and hit a double super kick. Fenix with a rana to eliminate HUmberot and then he puts Angel on the top rope and hits a rolling uppercut to eliminate Angel.
Kit and Elton work over Tyler Bate and they send him into the corner and Kit with an elbow. Elton with an uppercut to Tyler. Kit with an assisted Codebreaker to Bate. Waller and Theory eliminate Kit and Elton. Dunne takes care of Theory and Waller. Bate with a punch to Theory. Theory hits Bate and Bate with a rebound clothesline to Theory and Waller. Bate gets them to the apron and they hang on. Kaiser sends Bate over the top and Kaiser drop kicks Bate to eliminate him when Bate tries to skin the cat. Dunne punches Kaiser and tries to eliminate him. Andrade chokes Theory and Santos tries to eliminate Miz. Chad punches Fenix. Santos punches Miz and Kaiser hangs on the ropes and gets back onto the apron. Santos pushes Andrade into Fenix and Santos with a jumping knee to Fenix.
Santos talks to Fenix and Fenix eliminates Santos. Otis gets Tozawa up for the Terry Funk spot to knock everyone down. Otis slams Andrade and he presses Tozawa into Julius and he tosses Tozawa to Brutus and he connects with a knee. Tozawa is eliminated and Otis clotheslines Julius and Brutus over the top rope to eliminate all three of them. Cruz and Wilde try to eliminate Kaiser but Kaiser with a knee to Cruz. Otis sends Julius into the ring steps. Andrade eliminates Waller and then Theory tries to eliminate Andrade but Andrade eliminates Theory. Everyone with super kicks to Gable and then Fenix with a jumping spin kick and he eliminates Gable. Wilde with a knee to Nakamura and he goes up top and Nakamura pushes him over the ring post to eliminate him. Cruz with a kick to Nakamura but Kross punches Cruz to the floor and he tells Rey he is using him.
Lee punches Kross and Kross with a forearm. Kross tries to eliminate Lee but Lee eliminates Kross. Nakamura grabs Lee and puts him over the top rope but Lee holds on. Lee with a kick and a slingshot splash. Lee runs into a round kick and follows with a reverse exploder over the top rope to the floor. Kaiser pulls Dunne to the apron by the hair and they fight on the apron. Dunne with a knee and he stomps on the hands and kicks Dunne. Kaiser kicks the ropes into Dunne's nether region. Dunne with a triangle in the ropes and he pulls Kaiser over to eliminate him. Andrade holds on and Hayes is sent to the apron. Miz goes to the apron and Dunne pulls at Hayes' fingers. Dune with a punch but Miz holds Hayes on and sends him back into the ring. Dunne drop kicks Miz off the apron to eliminate him.
Dunne kicks Hayes and Hayes sends Dunne over the top rope to eliminate him.
We are down to Fenix, Nakamura, Andrade, and Hayes.
Hayes goes after Andrade while Nakamura with knees to Fenix. Hayes with punches and chops to Andrade. Nakamura kicks Hayes and hits a reverse exploder on Fenix. Nakamura with an enzuigiri to Andrade. Nakamura misses Kinshas but he kicks Andrade. Andrade with a springboard drop kick to eliminate Nakamura. Hayes with a super kick to the back of Fenix's head. Andrade and Hayes get on the ropes and Fenix sends them over the top rope but Andrade and Hayes hold on. Hayes gets back in the ring and he hits Fenix from behind. Fenix with a rana to Andrade. Fenix swings in the ropes and hits a spinning back heel kick. Fenix with a rolling punch and then he is sent to the apron. Fenix and Hayes with punches. Fenix goes up top and he runs the ropes, but Grande Americano attacks Fenix and eliminates him.
Americano flees from the referees.
Hayes mises a kick and Andrade with a kick. Hayes escapes The Message and Andrade goes for a suplex but Haye escapes. Both with clotheslines at the same time. Hayes with La Mistica but Andrade with a spinning back elbow and both men are down. Andrade sets for a suplex but Hayes blocks it. Andrade blocks a suplex from Hayes. Hayes sets for a suplex and turns it into a cutter. Hayes goes to the ropes and Andrade joins him. Hayes escapes and sends Andrade to the floor.
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
After the match:
Miz comes to the ringside area to congratulate him on his win.
We see a clip from the Wade Barrett Interview Experience with Charlotte Flair.
Rhea Ripley walks in the back as we go to commercial.
Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring.
Rhea says Sunday is her sixth Wrestlemania and each time she has walked into some sort of championship match, but this one is the most important to her. She says she let herself get distracted by Bianca and she lost the title before Wrestlemania. She says she could be coming out here to complain about the last few weeks, but she does not want to talk about the past. On Sunday, she gets back what she wants and she will do what she has to do. She says Rhea Ripley is walking out as a three time World Champion.
Iyo Sky's music plays and she makes her way to the ring.
Before Iyo can speak . . .
Bianca Belair's music interrupts.
Bianca says y'all two thought you were going to drop her name and not show up? She was definitely showing up tonight. Tonight might be her last night on Smackdown for a while because she is going to be champion. She is not going to let it go any time soon.
Naomi's music plays and ARE WE GETTING A FATAL FOUR WAY?
Naomi says hello to Bianca and says she finally shows up on Smackdown and doesn't talk to her. She says he has been calling and texting her and she knows she got them. Does their friendship mean so little but she didn't want to put this out in public.
Bianca says she knows why she is not responding and she knows what Naomi did.
Naomi asks if you care about Jade that much.
Naomi says Jade wasn't there for her. Tomorrow, she finishes what she started with her.
Jade Cargill's music interrupts and she makes her way to the ring.
Naomi gets out of the ring.
Jade has some words for Bianca and Jade asks Bianca if she is trying to protect her.
Rhea tells Jade this isn't about her.
Naomi pushes Jade into Rhea and Jade goes after Naomi and pushes her to the floor. Bianca and Rhea fight with each other and Iyo watches. Iyo goes up top and hits a moonsault onto her two opponents this weekend.
Naomi runs to the back.
Chad Gable and the Creeds stop by to talk to Rey Fenix. Chad tells Fenix had a good night, but not as good as Grande Americano.
Dragon Lee shows up to tell Chad about Grande Americano.
Rey Mysterio shows up and says Grande Americano is going to get taught a lesson.
Rey suggests a six man tag match tonight.
WWE Tag Team Championship
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins vs. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
Shelley and Sabin with baseball slides to knock Ford and Dawkins off the apron. Shelley and Sabin with pescados and they send them into the ringside barrier.
The referee starts the match and Sabin with kicks to Ford. Shelley tags in and he hits a double sledge to the back off the turnbuckles. They hit a double back elbow followed by a knee drop and elbow drop combination. Sabin tags in and Ford with punches and uppercuts. Ford with a clothesline to Shelley but Sabin with a punch and Ford with a clothesline to Sabin. Dawkins tags in and hits a few clotheslines followed by a back uppercut. Dawkins with a twisting splash into the corner. Ford tags in and they hit the Doomsday Blockbuster for a near fall. Alex sends Dawkins to the floor but Dawkins with a punch to stop Shelley.
Alex and Dawkins tag in and Alex with punches and Alex goes to the turnbuckles for punches. Alex with a kick to Ford on the apron. Dawkins with a face plant and he gets a near fall. Dawkins with jabs and punches in the corner. Ford tags in. Dawkins with a snap mare and Ford with a slingshot senton. Alex with a jaw breaker and a sunset flip but Ford rolls through and kicks Alex followed by a splash for a near fall. Dawkins tags in and they kick Alex. Angelo with a slam and he gets a near fall. Dawkins with a reverse chin lock. Alex with kicks to the thigh but Dawkins with a punch. Dawkins with shoulders in the corner. Dawkins sends Alex into the turnbuckles and he misses a twisting splash into the corner but Ford tags in.
Ford stops Alex but Alex kicks Ford away and tags in Sabin. Sabin with a baseball slide to Dawkins and he hits a rana on Ford. Sabin kicks Dawkins from the apron and he goes up top. Sabin with a missile drop kick to Ford and Alex tags in. Ford sends Sabin to the apron but Alex with a clothesline. They hit a missile drop kick and Flatliner combination for a near fall. Alex gets Ford on his shoulders and Sabin tags in. Ford sends Alex into Sabin and Ford with an enzuigiri to Alex. Dawkins tags in and Sabin leaps over Ford but Dawkins passes Sabin to Ford for a belly-to-back suplex and a near fall. Sabi with a jumping thrust kick and Ford misses a move off the turnbuckles. Sabin and Shelley with the Dream Sequence on Ford and they connect with kicks in the corner. Dawkins knocks Alex off the turnbuckles.
Ford with a flip dive over the ring post onto everyone.
Gargano and Ciampa attack Ford and Dawkins and the referee calls for the bell.
Winners: Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford (by disqualification) [retain championship]
or
No Contest.
After the match:
Ciampa and Gargano take the tag titles.
Nick Aldis is on the phone and Chelsea Green asks if Nick saw the travesty last week and she has a formal complaint. Green tells Alba and Piper to serve him.
Nick reads the paperwork and Green says that she expects Nicholas will resolve the issue with the referee.
Nick says he will resolve this. The six woman tag match is off. Zelina gets a match tonight. Nick says Piper and Alba don't have to be at ringside.
Randy Orton, a man without a match this weekend, makes his way to the ring.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Nick Aldis wants Johnny and Tommaso to give him the tag title belts.
Angelo and Montez show up and so do Alex and Chris.
Nick says it can be done the easy way or the hard way.
They give them the belts.
Nick says the belts will be hung above the ring for a TLC match next week.
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring
Randy says he does not have an opponent for Wrestlemania. For the past few days his wife and him have been in Vegas and done the appearances. He says thousands have approahced him and he says there is an excitement for this year's Wrestlemania like none other. Randy says his father was in the first Wrestlemania and then he debuted at Mania at the Garden twenty years later. Randy says he is not sitting out this year's Wrestlemania. He says if he competes this weekend, it will be his twentieth Wrestlemania appearance.
Randy says he will throw it out to the universe. Randy says he will be there on Sunday with the boots tied, gear on, and the right amount of baby oil on his skin. He will be there to deliver. Randy says he is not just doing it for himself, he is doing it for you, his family, and the boys in the back. If anyone in the back wants to test their mettle, step up. If you own a pair of wrestling boots or want to be his opponent, show up because he will be there.
Randy says you will be fall victim to the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment . . . R . . . K . . . O.
We see Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest brawling during the Kickoff Show earlier today.
Byron Saxton is with Damian Priest in HALLWAY.
Byron asks about what happened earlier but he is sick of answering questions. He wants to talk to the guy who did not show up tonight and the guy who acts like a victim. You are not a victim, yet. You are not ready for this fight. The world is not ready for this violence. You paint him as a bad guy, he will beat Drew so bad he will wish he was future endeavored again. He will bring the fight.
We are back with the likely Aleister Black tease and it will happen next week.
Non Title Match
Chelsea Green (c) vs. Zelina Vega
Vega avoids a prematch attack. Green with a swinging slam for a near fall. Green slams Vega's head into the mat a few times. Vega with a kick and a wheelbarrow into an arm drag. Green with boots to the back. Green with forearms. Vega sends Green to the floor and Green pulls Vega to the floor. Green sends Vega into the ringside barrier. Green breaks the count and she has words for the referee. The referee resumes his count and Green goes to the floor and Vega sends Green into the time keeper's area. The referee restarts his count.
They both beat the ten count. Vega with a forearm and Green fires back. They continue the exchange. Vega with forearms and Vega with a flying clothesline or two. Vega blocks a kick and hits a back elbow. Vega sends Green into the ropes and Green with a boot for a near fall. Green puts Vega on the turnbuckles and Green climbs for a superplex but Vega blocks it and sends Green's head into the turnbuckle. Vega with a Super Code Red for the three count.
Winner: Zelina Vega
Before our next match, LA Knight has something to say.
He says what happened last week was inspiration. They try to use numbers and sneak attacks. If you want the sneak, he has the sneak. That is what he did. He took Tama out of the equation. Tonight, he takes care of Solo. Tomorrow it is him and Fatu, one on one. He is a monster and you have seen nothing like him. Knight says he came in here and turned things around and he is a two time champion. This is the title of titles. We haven't seen anything like you? Uh uh. There is nothing like that. He says some day, somewhere, you will be a champion. He is talking about guarantees. The guarantee is that Solo is going to come out and eat one. Tomorrow, Fatu will eat a BFT.
Non Title Match
LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa
Knight attacks Solo as Solo makes his way to the ring. They throw punches and Solo is backed into the apron. Solo sends Knight into the ring steps.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the match started during the break and they exchange punches. Solo runs Knight into the ring post. Solo breaks the count and he drops Knight on the apron with a back drop driver. Solo gets a near fall. Solo goes for a suplex but you don't suplex LA Knight and he hits a Zack Ryder neck breaker. Knight with punches. Solo with a knee to the midsection. Solo with diving head butts and a springboard seated splash. Solo takes too long and he mocks Knight and lands on Knight's knees. Knight with punches and a discus punch. Knight with a leaping clothesine and a DDT. Knight goes to the turnbuckles but Fatu hits Knight and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: LA Knight (by disqualification)
Braun's music plays and the attacks tops as Braun comes to the ring and hits a double cross body. Knight sends Fatu over the top rope to the floor.
Nick Aldis comes ot and he says it is time for some IMPROMPTCEPTION.
LA Knight and Braun Strowman vs Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
Knight and Solo start things off and Knight with a kick and jabs. Knight with a kick to Solo but Fatu with a clothesline from the apron. Fatu tags in and he head butts Knight. Fatu with a hard Irish whip to Knight. Fatu with a head butt to Knight and then he chokes Knight in the ropes. Knight with punches but Fatu with a head butt and he says I LOVE YOU to Solo. Fatu with a hard Irish whip and Solo tags in. Solo with a shoulder in the corner followed by a punch. Solo with a hard Irish whip to Knight. Solo with another Irish whip and Fatu tags in. Fatu with a splash into the corner and he chokes Knight. Braun tries to get involved when Solo chokes Knight from the floor. The referee sends Braun back to his corner.
Knight with a kick to Fatu and elbow to Solo. Knight with punches and Fatu goes over the top rope to the floor. Braun tags in and he connects with clotheslines. Braun punches Solo off the apron and Braun with a drop kick to send Fatu to the floor and into the announce table. Braun with a WACKY LAP and he hits Solo and then he hits Fatu and Fatu falls onto the ring steps. Braun sends Fatu into the ring and he runs into an elbow. Fatu wtih a super kick and a flying clothesline to Braun. Fatu with a DDT and back senton for a near fall. Solo tags in and he kicks Braun and connects with head butts. Solo with a reverse chin lock. Braun with elbows and Solo with a punch.
Fatu tags in and works on Braun's neck. Braun with a side slam to escape. Knight tags in and so does Solo. Knight with a clothesline and a side Russian leg sweep. Knight knocks Fatu off the apron and he follows with a power slam to Solo and a double jump elbow drop for a near fall when Fatu breaks up the cover. Braun sends Fatu to the floor and Braun goes for WACKY LAP two but Fatu sends Braun over the announce table. Knight with a baseball slide to send Fatu onto the announce table. Solo misses a Samoan Spike and Knight with BFT for the three count.
Winners: LA Knight and Braun Strowman
We take a look at a clip from Wade Barrett's interview with Tiffany Stratton.
Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Rey Fenix vs Chad Gable, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed
Fenix and Brutus start things off and Fenix with a chop. Brutus with chops and forearms. Brutus with an Irish whip and Fenix with a flying head butt followed by a rana for a near fall. Rey with a splash to Brutus and Lee tags in and gives Brutus a leg sweep and a hesitation kick for a near fall. Brutus runs Lee into the turnbuckles and Julius tags in and he Irish whips Lee. Lee with a back elbow and thrust kick followed by a knee. Lee with a head scissors take down and he sends Julius tot he floor. Lee with a flip dive onto Julius and he hits a cross body for a near fall. Chad sends Lee shoulder first into the ring post. Rey comes in and Chad goes to the floor. Julius pulls Rey to the floor and Brutus pulls Fenix off the apron. Chad with a German suplex to Lee followed by a triple diving head butt.
Julius with forearms across the chest to Lee. Julius runs Lee into the corner and Brutus tags in and hits a running cannonball. Brutus with a forearm and shoulders in the corner. Brutus with a forearm to the back of the neck. Brutus with another forearm and Julius tags in. Julius with a hard Irish whip. Julius with a front face lock and Chad tags in and he gives Lee a snap mare followed by a double wrist lock. Chad with a belly-to-back suplex to Lee. Chad knocks Fenix off the apron. Lee punches Chad but Chad with a chop. Chad with more chops in the corner. Chad with a snap mare to Lee and an arm bar.
Chad with an Irish whip to Lee and Julius and Brutus tag in. Chad runs into a boot and Chad sends Lee to Julius and Brutus with a Brutus Ball for a near fall. Julius punches Fenix. Julius tags in and they put Lee on the turnbuckles. They set for a double superplex but Lee puts them in the tree of woe. Lee stops Chad to make it a triple and he hits a double stomp on Chad and hits all three men. Julius stops Lee but Fenix tags in and he connects with forearms to Julius and Chad. Fenix swings in the ropes and he kicks Julius for a near fall. Fenix with a crucifix for a near fall. Julius with a knee to the midsection. Julius with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Julius with a hard Irish whip.
Fenix with a thrust kick to Julius in the corner and he hits a springboard arm drag take down and a stomp to Julius. Fenix with kicks to Brutus and he hits a rana to Chad off Brutus' back. Fenix with a running kick to Chad. Lee with Operation Dragon to Julius and Fenix with Meteora for the three count.
Winners: Dragon Lee, Rey Fenix, and Rey Mysterio
We take a look at the Saturday main event with a video package.
We go to commercial.
We are back and Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
Cody looks around and . . .
John Cena's music interrupts.
John stops Cody from talking and he tells the kid to shut his mouth. Cena says it is his 20th Wrestlemania and his 12th Title Match. You can get lost in all of the noise and voices. There is one voice you should listen to and it is the one looking you in the eye. Sunday is the last time he will compete in a Wrestlemania ring. No one had the courage to end their career the way he did. There is nothing you can do to prepare against a man who is going to die. They don't think it is real. They think he is coming back. There is no such thing as a wrestling retirement. There is always one more match.
Every other wrestler is a scared insecure loser. Every other wrestler needs these people to talk about them and post about them. When they leave this, they are alone with their pathetic lives and have to crawl back. He has love and joy in his life and he does not need you. He is here to take that (the title) from Cody and everyone else forever. John says he warned you. Last year, everyone raised you on their shoulders and gave you watches. When we were alone, I told you every day you hold that it gets heavier and it will be too heavy on Sunday and you will lose. You care about these people.
John says you don't write history, winners do. John says he wanted to share one more thing. He says when he won at Elimination Chamber, he knew it would be impossible to beat him at Wrestlemania. You changed it with what you said to the Rock. He gave you a choice. Do you want to do what they think is right or do you want to win. When you made your choice, John knew that you don't stand a chance. He did what Cody couldn't do. Prove you don't matter.
These people will make up their own version of the truth and when you stop caring about them, you can accomplish what you want in life. You are too weak to understand that. In order to beat him, you have to choose. Do you do what they think is right . . . or do you win? You are strong, tough, and driven but you are scared, insecure, and naive. You wear that suit because you want to be somebody and you have that tattoo so you could be somebody. Sunday, I make you somebody. Somebody who learns to succeed you have to sever your ties to everybody. You will find out you are not the captain or quarterback. You are just someone who doesn't have the balls to be the last World Champion.
Cody says that John always has to say something. Cody says how this crowd feels about you.
John asks if this is who you fight for.
Cody says that John said that he doesn't bury talent, but he is talent. Cody says he knows a graveyard of talent who would disagree. Do you know the name of the person who handed you the mic? Do you know that person either? This is not the same WWE. Since the GOAT hasn't shown up since Elimination Chamber, he wants to give John some perspective. You are overrated, overbearing, and you are running out of time. You have a stack of dimes for a neck and you are paler than Sting at Great American Bash 97. Cody says it is 2025 and John still can't wrestle.
John calls everyone idiots.
John says they are just like you. They don't know what they want. On Sunday, to beat you, I don't have to wrestle. Cena hits Cody and gets him up for an Attitude Adjustment but Cody escapes and hits CrossRhodes.
Cody backs up he aisle.
End of show
