WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - July 18th, 2025
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John Cena and Cody Rhodes to come face-to-face in SummerSlam Contract Signing
The WrestleMania rematch pitting Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena against Cody Rhodes is set for SummerSlam. The self-professed "Last Real Champion" and The American Nightmare will make their match official, tonight!
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.
We are in PARKING LOT and there is a police scene with an accident involving the members of Solo's squad. Cathy Kelley asks for updates.
Backstage:
Adam Pearce is in charge tonight. Cody Rhodes shows up and he asks about the contract and Adam says everything is in there. Adam is going to check with the police for updates.
Earlier Today:
We go to footage from earlier today with Charlotte and Alexa. Alexa says it looks like it was a bad idea. Charlotte says it was fine and they didn't lose. She says they have a tag title match. Alexa is shocked. Charlotte says she has a match with Raquel and she asks Alexa to be out there. Alexa asks if she looks like a cheerleader and Charlotte says she does.
Charlotte Flair (w/ Alexa Bliss) vs. Raquel Rodriguez (w/ Roxanne Perez)
They lock up and Raquel pushes Flair away. Flair with a waist lock and Raquel with a back elbow. Raquel misses an elbow and Flair with a wrist lock. Raquel with a reversal. Raquel pulls Flair to the mat by the hair. Raquel sends Flair into the corner but Flair witha boot and a head scissors off the turnbuckles and a clothesline to send Raquel over the top rope to the floor. Flair with a pescado onto Raquel.
Perez comes up to Flair but Alexa and her pom poms force her back.
Raquel with a back drop on the floor and she sends Flair into the ring post. They return to the ring and Raquel with a near fall. Raquel with an Irish whip and splash in the corner. Raquel with elbows in the corner. Raquel with an abdominal stretch. Raquel kicks Flair in the corner. Raquel with elbows to the clavicle and she applies a reverse chin lock. Raquel with another near fall. Flair with a jaw breaker. Flair floats over after an Irish whip but Raquel with a boot for a near fall. Raquel sends Flair into the turnbuckles a few times. Flair returns the favor and sends Raquel into the turnbuckles and follows with a chop. Raquel with an elbow and she gets Flair up for a Canadian back breaker. Flair with a sunset flip to escape and Raquel rolls through with a boot.
Raquel with a twisting Vader Bomb elbow drop. Flair sends Raquel into the turnbuckles and follows with punches and chops. Flair with a round off clothesline. Flair with a belly-to-back suplex. Raquel with an Irish whip and Flair with a Flair flip and boot. Flair goes up top and hits a cross body but Raquel rolls through and holds on for a spinning power slam for a near fall. Flair escapes a Tejana Bomb and clothesline. Flair with a boot and she sets for the figure four but Perez gets on the apron and Flair stops her. Alexa gets on the apron and hits her with her pom poms and drops Raquel on the top rope. Flair with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
Backstage:
Adam Pearce walks in the back and the 'police members' are waiting for Adam. They ask for Jacob Fatu because he is a person of interest. Adam finds Fatu and he tells Fatu he needs to talk to the police. Fatu refuses to do anything with the punk ass police because he didn't do anything. Adam tells Fatu to reconsider and Fatu leaves with them.
We go to commercial.
Video Package:
We are back and Tiffany Stratton mentions she will defend the title in two weeks. There are a lot of similarities but Tiffany says she held on to her title. Jade says she went through betrayal. Jade says she is going for what is hers. Tiffany says she has been underestimated. She says she has heard it all. She is still the WWE Women's Champion. Jade says she has been doubted and disrespected but she has earned the crown on her head. Tiffany is what they expect, but Jade she is what they get. Tiffany says she will add Jade's name to the list of victims. Jade says she is not going to be part of a list because she is the list.
Backstage:
We take a look at what happened last week with R Truth and Aleister Black and then with Black and Damian Priest. Damian Priest was walking in the back and he sees Carmelo Hayes and asks if he has seen Aleister. Hayes says he wouldn't tell Damian. Priest says Hayes picks the worst times to speak. Hayes says he warned Priest. Priest says Black will be on his knees praying when Priest finds him. Priest says he is not a peacemaker. He goes to the ring and shuts people's mouths. Priest challenges Hayes to a match tonight. Hayes says he has been looking forward to a chance like this.
We go to commercial.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest
Hayes attacks Priest on the turnbuckles while he poses for the crowd. The referee starts the match and Hayes with a shoulder in the corner. Priest blocks an Irish whip attempt and Hayes with a flying body block. Priest with a boot to Hayes. Priest sends Hayes into teh turnbuckles and connects with uppercuts and punches. Hayes with a kick to Priest and Priest with a forearm to send Hayes to the floor. Priest gets Hayes up but Hayes escapes and Priest stops short of the ring post. Hayes drop kicks Priest into the post and Hayes poses. Hayes sends Priest back into the ring and he chops Priest. Hayes with more chops and Priest wants him to try harder. Hayes with a thumb to the eyes and foerarms to the back and he goes for the ankle. Hayes sets for a suplex but Priest blocks it.
Hayes with forearms to the back and he tries for the suplex one more time but Priest with a Broken Arrow for a near fall. Priest with an Irish whip but Hayes with a drop kick to the knee when Priest charges into the corner. Hayes with a clothesline to the back of the leg and a knee to the head for a near fall. Hayes with a reverse chin lock. Hayes gets a near fall and he returns to the reversre chin lock. Hayes with a drop kick to the knee and a drop kick to the head for a near fall. Hayes slaps Priest in the side of the head and then he circles him while talking to the crowd. Priest is back to his feet and he connects with forearms. Priest with a face plant and an elbow into the corner. Priest sets for the rebound clothesline but Hayes goes to the apron and he drops Priest on the top rope. Hayes with a springboard clothesline.
Hayes sets for Sweet Chin Music and Priest blocks it. Hayes escapes a choke slam. Priest boxes the ears and Hayes with La Mistica. Priest with a forearm to stop a springboard move from Hayes. Hayes escapes a Razor's Edge and Priest goes into the turnbuckles when Hayes moves. Hayes misses Priest and rolls through. Priest goes for South of Heaven but Hayes counters with a Codebreaker. Hayes with a frog splash for a near fall. Hayes kicks Priest to the floor. Hayes comes off the apron but Priest with a forearm and a flatliner onto the announce table. Priest goes Old School but Black shows up on the apron and crotches Priest.
The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Damian Priest (by disqualification)
After the match:
Black with Black Mass to Priest. Black looks at Hayes and Carmelo decides to go to the back.
Video Package:
We go to the Wyatts. Bo says they are where they belong. Dexter says the Street Profit's bond is only held together by their lust for gold. Rowan says a new family has been forged. It is not defined by the blood they share. They giggle. Nikki asks to tell about the blood they share. Gacy says they will strip each team of their wicked desires. Bo says to let them be your guides. All you have to do is follow.
We go to commercial.
In-Ring:
Solo Sikoa makes his way to the ring with fellow future plaintiffs Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Tala Tonga.
Solo says tonight is the perfect example of who Jacob Fatu really is. Without his guidance, Jacob is reckless. He don't care about anybody. He doesn't listen to anybody. All he cares about is his damn self. He says he gave Jacob the world. He gave him everything and brought him to the WWE and made him successful. He put money in his pocket, food on his family's table, and a title. He doesn't deserve any of it. He betrayed his family. Once a criminal always a criminal.
We see Jimmy in the back waiting for Fatu to be let out of the car.
"police officer" says they reviewed the footage and it wasn't him so he is free to do his business.
Fatu walks toward the ring.
They wait in the ring for Fatu and
Jimmy shows up on the apron and Tala goes to the floor. Jimmy with a super kick to Loa. Fatu with a back elbow to Mateo. Fatu punches Solo while Tala pulls Jimmy to the floor and he kicks Jimmy. Tala adjusts the announce table and Tala sets for a choke slam through the table but Fatu with a suicide dive and he vibrates. Tala gets up and he grabs Jimmy and Fatu. Fatu with a super kick and Jimmy with a super kick and a double super kick. Jimmy is Irish whipped by Fatu onto Tala with a cross body over the ringside barrier. Fatu with a double leg take down to Solo followed by punches. Jimmy gives Fatu a chair.
Jimmy sends Solo back into the ring and Fatu with a super kick and a running hip into the corner. Fatu puts a chair around Solo's neck in the corner and he sets for a running hip but Mateo stops Fatu. Jimmy with a super kick to Loa. Tala pulls Solo to safety. He doesn't care about Loa or Mateo and Jimmy with a frog splash to Loa and Fatu with a double jump moonsault to Mateo.
Fatu hits Mateo in the back with the chair and he does the same to Loa.
Adam stops things and he tells Solo if he wants to frame an innocent man, let's see how you like it at SummerSlam. He says Solo will defend the US Title against Fatu in a steel cage.
Adam brings out the 'police' and Adam says he is all theirs.
Solo is handcufffed and taken away.
We take a look at the latest in the Jelly Roll/Randy Orton/Logan Paul/Drew McIntyre story.
We go to commercial.
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre
They lock up and Alba with a waist lock and take down. Vaquer with a wrist lock take down and a rollup for a near fall. Vaquer with a body scissors and rollup for a near fall. Alba sends Vaquer to the apron and Alba with a thrust kick to stop a springboard move. Alba with a suicide dive. Alba goes up top and goes for a swanton but Vaquer gets her knees up. Vaquer with a kick and belly-to-back suplex. Vaquer prepares and so does Wade for the Devil's Kiss. Alba drops down to block an SVB but Alba goes for a Gory Special but Vaquer escapes and hits SVB for the three count.
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer
After the match:
Piper with a body block and a back senton. Piper puts Vaquer in the corner but Vaquer sends Piper to the apron and kicks her to the floor.
Backstage:
Cathy asks Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins about their feelings after losing the titles. Ford says it was a good week for them because they used their underhanded tactics to win the titles. Ford says that isn't a reality they are ready to deal with. Dawkins says they are getting the titles back. Cathy asks them about the number one contender match and why they aren't in the match. DIY show up and Johnny says the guys who blew it against the Wyatt Sicks. Ciampa says they are here to save the division. Like any great leader knows, if you want something done right, you do it yourself. Candice tells them to watch.
Number One Contender Match
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix vs. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley vs. Nathan Frazer and Axiom
Sabin and Frazer start things off and Sabin with a wrist lock and Frazer with a reversal. Sabin with a reversal. They go back and forth with Sabin kicking Frazer away. Gargano and Ciampa attack Frazer and Sabin. Andrade with a kick to Ciampa and Rey with a drop kick. Rey and Andrade send Gargano to the floor. Axiom and Frazer with super kicks to Andrade and Rey. Sabin and Shelley pull Axiom and Frazer to the floor. Sabin and Shelley with drop kicks through the ropes. Sabin with a suicide dive onto Gargano and Ciampa. Sabin with a Million Dollar Dream and Alex tags in and Sabin and Shelley with elbows to Frazer. Sabin with an Elbow and Alex with a drop toe hold. Sabin with an elbow drop. Frazer kicks Alex away and Alex pulls Frazer off the mat and Frazer lands on his feet and he kicks Axlex. Gargano kicks Alexa nd then he hits a super kick on Frazer to send him to the floor.
Gargano sends Alex into the turnbuckles and Ciampa tags in and punches Alex and chokes him in the ropes. Gargano tags in and Ciampa sends Alex into Gargano's boots. Gargano with punches and he mocks Andrade and is not very tranquilo. Gargano with shoulders in the corner. Ciampa tags in and he hits a back breaker. Ciampa draws Rey in and that distracts the referee to allo Ciampa to send Alex into their corner. Gragano and Ciampa with punches in the corner. Ciampa with a snap mare and he gets a near fall. Gargano tags in an Ciampa with a forearm and Gargano with knees in the corner. Ciampa with a boot to the head for a near fall.
Ciampa tags back in and they take care of the other two teams. Alexa with a DDT and a reverse DDT after Sabin kicks Ciampa in the head. Alex backs into the corner and Axiom tags in and he hits a German suplex. Frazer tags in and they hit a series of forearms and clotheslines followed by a DDT from Frazer. Axiom and Frazer kick Rey to the floor. Axiom and Frazer with many suicide dives onto everyone else. Axiom tags in and he goes up top and they hit a missile drop kick and leg sweep on Ciampa for a near fall. Andrade pulls Ciampa into the corner and Rey tags in and Rey with a cross body to Frazer. Rey with a springboard spin kick to Axiom and Andrade tags in. Andrade with the Three Amigos. Rey tags in and he hits a frog splash for a near fall.
Everyone pairs off and they fight in and around the ring. Gargano and Ciampa and Alex and Sabin with clotheslines. Sabin with a back heel kick to Frzer. Axiom with kicks to Alex. Frazer with sling blade. Rey and Andrade with splashes to Axiom and Frazer. Rey with kicks and Andrade with a forearm to Axiom. Ciampa tags in and Gargano kicks Andrade and hits a slingshot DDT. Axiom with an inside cradle on Ciampa. Ciampa with a kick and Project CIampa for a near fall. Ciampa with a chop to Axiom. Ciampa and Axiom fight on the apron and Ciampa with chops. Axiom chops back and kicks Ciampa off the apron to the floor. Axiom goes up top and Ciampa stops Axiom.
Ciampa sets for a superplex onto everyone on the floor but Ciampa decides to chop Axiom. Ciampa gets Axiom up for an Air Raid Crash onto Alex and Sabin on the floor. Gargano kicks Alex and Sabin. Ciampa and Axiom return to the ring since they are the legal men in the match. Ciampa with a running knee for a near fall. Gargano tags in and they hit a thrust kick and Fairy Tale Ending combination. Sabin with a forearm to Gargano and then Ciampa. Sabin goe sup top and hits a cross body onto Gargano and Ciampa. Sbin with a tornado DDT attempt on Gargano but Gargano lands on his feet. Sabin and Alex with the Dream Sequence on Gargano.
They hit the double kick combination on Axiom. Rey stops Alex. Andrade tags in and hits a flying forearm on Axiom. Andrade sends Sabin to the floor. Andrade goes up top for the moonsault but Axiom kicks Andrade in the back of the leg. Frazer tags in and Axiom with Spanish Fly. Ciampa tags in and Frazer hits Phoenix Splash. Gargano and Ciampa take care of Axiom and Frazer. Ciampa gets a near fall on Adrade. Rey with a rebound round kick and Rey with a cross body onto everyone. Candice gets on the apron to stop The Message but Ciampa with a rollup for a near fall. Gargano super kicks Ciampa with Andrade misses. Andrade with the spinning elbow to take care of Gargano. Rey with a flip dive onto Gargano and Andrade hits The Message on Ciampa for the three count.
Winners: Andrade and Rey Fenix
Next week, Andrade and Rey Fenix will face the Wyatts next week for the tag titles. Alexa Bliss faces Roxanne Perez. Jelly Roll, Randy Orton, Logan Paul, and Drew McIntyre will be on Smackdown next week.
Backstage:
Cody Rhodes walks in the back.
We go to commercial.
In-Ring:
We are back and Adam Pearce is in the ring to officiate the contract signing for the WWE Undisputed Championship Match at SummerSlam.
He brings out Cody Rhodes first.
Cody signs the contract and asks the people of San Antonio what they want to talk about. He mentions how his father and brother are from Texas and be like them, but he got to be WWE Undisputed Champion. Cody says he posted something on social media and it was over analyzed. He mentions what he posted. He says do not flinch might have been for himself when he returned back home up the road at Wrestlemania. He did not flinch when he wrestled with his muscle torn off his chest. He did not flinch against the Beast. He did not flinch against his friend and his mentors. He did not flinch when the Final Boss came for his spot.
He did flinch at Wrestlemania 41 against one of the most beloved wrestlers in the sport, John Cena. Cody says he understands what it is like to try to take it away from one of the most beloved wrestlers in the game. It is a task he was born for. One match for the rest of his life. He says he has signed, but it takes two for this dance to work.
Adam introduces John Cena.
John asks for them to cut the music and for Cody to sit down. John asks for a second. He says he has some bad news for Cody. He says he is not going to be at SummerSlam. He says this was a decision he made tonight. He says he is filming a big movie for Netflix in New York. They talked and things have been transparent. He says he is emotionally exhausted and it is best that he not compete at SummerSlam. John says he knows about earning stuff. Cody will get his rematch. He can do it in Paris or Perth. There is no way he can sign this contract for SummerSlam.
John says he knows that Cody is upset and we are all upset. There is nothing they can do. If his name goes on the contract, he has to be at SummerSlam. John says he is working real hard and emotionally he is out of it. This is what is best for business. John says you don't know how hard it was for him to be here. He says he wanted to give you fireworks and a night to remember. John says physically and emotionally, this is all he can give you guys.
John thanks everyone and he appreciates their understanding and patience in this matter. John says Cody will get his rematch. John says goodnight San Antonio.
Cody takes off his jacket and he goes after John and Cody punches Cana and he brings him back to the ring and sends him into the apron. Cena Irish whips Cody into the ring steps. Cena sends Coy into the steps and back into the ring. John goes to get his title and brings it back to the ring. Cena misses with the belt and Cody with a kick and Cody gets the title belt. Cody hits Cena with the belt. Cody puts Cena on the table and punches him. Cody goes up top and he hits a frog splash through the table. Cody puts the pen in Cena's hand and he signs it for Cena.
Cody tells Cena to check the fine print. It isn't just a match for the title. It is a Street Fight.
End of show.
