WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - March 7th, 2025

[Kemo]

Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown after John Cena's vicious betrayal at WWE Elimination Chamber

At WWE Elimination Chamber, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes turned down The Rock's offer to become "his champion." Then, moments after winning the right to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania by winning the Men's Elimination Chamber Match, John Cena aligned with The Final Boss and executed a brutal attack on The American Nightmare. How will the titleholder respond?

Your announcers are Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.

Drew attacks Damian Priest as he walks through the back. He sends Priest into a storage case and walks away.

We take a look back at highlights from Elimination Chamber.

Randy Orton's music and he makes his way to the ring.

Randy looks around and he waves to the crowd.

Randy says a lot of crazy stuff has happened since he was gone, just like the last week or so. Since he started in this business, John Cena, has always been on the top of this profession. Now, he is just a bottom for Rock. Randy suggests that gives new meaning to Rock Bottom. Randy welcomes everyone to Smackdown. Randy says John was one of the few friends. He says another friend was Kevin Owens. Randy says they have a lot in common. They have done vile things to get the job done. They have crossed the line, but it was all business. Kevin, the wrestler, he respects. His story to get to WWE is quite admirable. Randy says he admires Kevin the wrestler. It is Kevin Owens the man he has a problem with.

Randy says never underestimate a jealous man's ability to destroy another man. Randy says that is Kevin Owens. Kevin's veins run with jealousy. Look at Cody Rhodes. He dropped Cody on his head with a pile driver. Kevin will say he did it because Cody chose Roman. Randy says Kevin was jealous of the gold around his waist. Sami Zayn, they fought on the way to WWE, but they remained friends. Kevin tried to drop Sami's head on the concrete. Kevin will say it was because Sami helped Roman. It was because Sami became a bigger star than Kevin.

Randy says Kevin dropped him on his head with an illegal pile driver because he was protecting his friend. Why is Kevin jealous? He has held every title in WWE. Everyone's goal is to main event Wrestlemania and Kevin has done it twice, one time against Steve Austin. What does Kevin have to be jealous about? He is never satisfied and nothing is enough.

Randy says he was told that his surgery was career ending, but he would not take no for an answer. He says not to take a moment for granted or let anything piss him off. Randy says Kevin done pissed him off. When he came out to save Sami, he came out and gave Kevin an RKO. Randy thought what was the feeling that came over him. That would have been enough to satisfy him. Something came over him that he hasn't felt for a decade or a decade and a half. Randy says he liked it. The voices started talking to him again. They told him to back up and kick Kevin in the head so hard his closest family members couldn't recognize his face.

Randy tells everyone to listen to him. He will prove that Pat McAfee is only the second greatest punter in this company.

Backstage:
We see Chelsea and Piper interrupt Tiffany and Nick with Chelsea complaining about the unconstitutionality. Tiffany tells Chelsea to shut up and Piper asks if she is censoring her. Tiffany suggests a match with Piper and Chelsea says no. Nick likes the idea and Tiffany leaves in a good mood.


Non Title Match
WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Piper Niven

They lock up and Piper backs Tiffany into the corner and Piper pushes Tiffany on the break. Tiffany pushes back. Piper sends Tiffany to the mat by the hair. Tiffany with a side head lock and she holds on when Piper tries to send her off the ropes. Piper with a shoulder tackle. Piper misses a back senton and Tiffany with a drop kick. Tiffany with a slingshot hesitation senton for a near fall. Tiffany with a handspring back elbow attempt but Piper catches Tiffany and sends her to the floor. Piper goes to the floor and hits a cannonball off the apron.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Tiffany with a take down and clotheslines followed by a shoulder tackle to send Piper to the mat. Tiffany with a handspring back elbow followed by a drop kick for a near fall. Piper with shoulders in the corner but she misses a splash and Tiffany sends Piper to the mat. Tiffany goes up top and she hits a swanton for a near fall. Piper with a Bossman Slam for a near fall. Piper goes for a Vader Bomb and misses. Tiffany with a Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the three count.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton

After the match:
Charlotte Flair clips Tiffany and then she sets for a figure four leg lock and applies it. Charlotte bridges in the hold and officials come to the ring to try to stop Charlotte.


Backstage:
Nick Aldis mentions what is going to happen with the tag teams in March. He says the MCMG beat DIY and then won the tag titles. The Street Profits were supposed to have a title match but they got injured by DIY. Then they were attacked again. DIY won the titles when they took the Street Profits' place. Then there was a web of confusion over who attacked the Street Profits. At the Royal Rumble, the tag title match was interrupted by the Street Profits and there has been disarray. The Street Profits face DIY for the tag titles. The other three teams will meet tonight to see who is the next in line.


Number One Contender Match
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin vs Elton Prince and Kit Wilson versus Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo

Kit and Sabin start things off and Angel tags himself in and he tells Sabin to get out. Kit with a drop kick to Angel and Angel goes to the floor. Both go for drop kicks and Angel catches Kit in a tender place and he takes off his pants. Alex tags in and so does Humberto. Everyone is in the ring and they split up. Alex and Sabin take care of Kit and Elton but Elton and Kit with super kicks. Angel and Humberto knock Kit and Elton off the apron. Humberto with an assisted double drop kick to Alex and Chris. Angel and Humberto go to the turnbuckles for stereo moonsaults. Humberto punches Alex and they go back into the ring since they are the legal men in the math.

Humberto with a snap mare and a kick to the back. Humberto gets Alex up for a slam and a back roll into a moonsault for a near fall. Angel comes in and Humber holds Alex on the apron and Angel with a knee while Humberto kicks him in the back. Angel chops Alex. They return to the ring and Elton tags in and they taunt Angel. Elton punches Alex. Alex punches Alex and Kit as he tries to fight his way out of the corner. Kit goes up top and Elton elevates Alex for a bulldog off the turnbuckles. Kit gets a near fall. Kit with a European uppercut. Kit with an Irish whip and a jumping back elbow into the corner. Kit with a second jumping back elbow. Elton tags in and Alex kicks him away. Alex with a flatliner and DDT combination.

Sabin tags in and he goes up top for a missile drop kick. Sabin with a kick to Angel and then to Humberto followed by a head scissors off the turnbuckles. Sabin with a back elbow followed by a tornado DDT for a near fall. Elton tags in and Humberto kicks Sabin. Elton with a forearm to the back of the head. Angel with a pop up kick. Kit takes care of Angel but Humberto with a springboard round kick. Sabin with a satellite head scissors. Sabin with a suicide dive onto Angel, Humberto, and Elton.

They go for Skull and Bones but Kit pushes Alex off the turnbuckles. Elton with a back slide for the three count.

Winners: Kit Wilson and Elton Prince


In RIng:
We are back and Bianca Belair makes her way to the ring.

Bianca looks at the Wrestlemania sign and she says she should feel like she is on top of the world after winning the Elimination Chamber. She says she should be focused on going to Wrestlemania when two of your friends are fighting. She formed a bond with both women. She elevated the tag team division with Jade and then Naomi jumped in. Bianca says they were close before, but when they formed the tag team, Naomi became her best friend. She says she does not believe that Naomi would do something like that. Bianca says she is going crazy and she is being accused. She says she needs answer. Naomi is not responding to her texts and Jade isn't talking to her.

Naomi's music plays and she makes her way to the ring and she still has a neck brace on.

Bianca asks Naomi what in the hell is going on.

Naomi says this is not what it looks like and she tells Bianca to lock in with her and understand what she is going to say. When Jade could not compete, who had your back and made sure you didn't have to relinquish the tag titles.

Bianca wants to know if Naomi attacked Jade.

Naomi says all of this outside noise is a distraction from what they need to focus on and that is getting back the tag titles and Bianca's match at Wrestlemania.

Bianca says Naomi is talking about everything but Jade.

Naomi says Jade a few times and she asks Bianca if she really wants to know how she feels about Jade.

Naomi says Jade has been piggy backing off you the entire time. Naomi says she has been forced to watch Jade succeed off your excellence and experience while Naomi was pushed to the side to fight for herself every match. Naomi says she let them get their flowers and she didn't say a freaking word. Naomi says she doesn't give a damn about Jade because Jade did not give a damn about Bianca.

Bianca tells Naomi to stop and Naomi says that Bianca was asking for the truth.

They yell at each other and Bianca tells Naomi to stop. She says it is very simple. It is a yes or a no. She says she will walk out of the ring and Naomi will never hear from her again if you do not answer.

Naomi thinks about it and she starts to cry. Naomi says she did it.

Bianca is in shock and she starts to cry.

Naomi says she did it for her and for them.

Bianca says she cannot believe it and she tells Naomi not to touch her. She says this hurts so bad because of how much she loves Naomi. She says she cannot look at Naomi any more. This is done.

Bianca leaves the ring and Naomi wants to know if this is over Jade.

Naomi says she is sorry and she continues to cry. She tells Bianca not to walk out on her. She says she should have pushed her sooner. Every time she tried to stand up for herself, you turned your back on her. She calls Bianca an ungrateful bitch.

Bianca has heard enough and she stops and turns around.

A vehicle arrives and Jade Cargill makes her way to the ring.

Jade stands next to Bianca and then she makes her way to the ring.

Jade enters the ring and she goes after Naomi but Naomi is able to get out of the ring but she cannot get over the ringside barrier. Jade sends Naomi onto the announce table. Jade sends Naomi into the ring post. Jade sends Naomi into the ring. Jade sets for Jaded and she hits it.

Jade stands over Naomi.

Video:
We take a look back at what Drew McIntyre did to Damian Priest.

Backstage:
Drew walks in the back and Byron asks him about what he did to Priest and if it was unprovoked. Drew says so many people are shocked about John Cena's actions. Drew says he told everyone what type of person he is. He lost his chance to prove it on Saturday when Damian Priest pinned him. Because of Priest, he has nothing to give, but violence. It starts tonight.

Video:
We are back with a look at Cody Rhodes stopping by to visit with Lex Lugar while DDP was training with him. Cody tells Lex that he will be part of the Hall of Fame.

Backstage:
Byron is with Charlotte Flair and she is asked why did she attack Tiffany after her match. Charlotte says she warned Tiffany that she would be everywhere Tiffany was. Tiffany did not listen. The division is a bit soft for her return. There are levels to what they do. B-Fab shows up and she says that she hoped Charlotte was not talking about the division. Charlotte says the division is missing something since she was gone. B-Fab says no one wants to compare themselves to her. They have their own legacies and no one wants to bow down to her. Charlotte says eventually everyone bows down to her. She tells B-Fab to meet her in the ring to see what happens.


Braun Strowman v.s Solo Sikoa

They lock up and Solo bounces off Braun after a few shoulder tackles. Solo with a punch and then he knocks Braun into the ropes with a shoulder tackle and Braun with a shoulder tackle. Braun sends Solo to the floor and Braun goes for the Wacky Lap but Solo moves and Braun hits the ring steps. Solo with a running hip to Braun and we go to commercial.

We are back and Solo with a forearm and he tries to get Braun on his shoulders and he hits a Samoan drop. Solo with a running hip into the corner. Solo sets for another hip but Braun gets up and hits a boot followed by a cross body. Braun with a forearm across the chest. Braun goes to the floor and he hits a Wacky shoulder on the floor. Braun sends Solo back into the ring and he hits a splash into the corner. Braun sets for a power slam but Solo sends Braun shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Solo with thrust kicks. Braun with a power slam for a near fall when Tama Tonga hits Braun from behind and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Braun Strowman (by disqualification)

After the match:
Braun attacks Tama and sends him over the ringside barrier.

Jacob Fatu's music plays and he makes his way to the ring while Braun watches him walk.

They look at each other from opposite sides of the ring on the floor. They get on the apron. They enter the ring and they throw punches. Braun wit a knee and head butt. Fatu with a thrust kick and a second one that sends Braun to the floor. Fatu with a suicide dive but Braun catches Fatu and choke slams Fatu on the announce table.

Braun rips off his shirt and Fatu is up and he hits a back elbow off the announce table. Fatu sends Braun over the ringside barrier into the crowd. Fatu with a forearm off the ringside barrier. Fatu with uppercuts and they fight to the production cases. Fatu with a head butt. Fatu gets Braun on his shoulders but Braun with a forearm to get free. Braun choke slams Fatu off the cases through tables.

Fatu is helped to the back while Braun stands on the production cases.


Backstage:
Byron Saxton is in the hallway and he is with LA Knight. Knight wants to talk to ya. He says it was all gas and no brakes on Fatu's keister going through the table. That means the man who cost him the title won't be involved. It will be mano a mano. One moment . . . one time. That is all it takes for the BFT to send you back to factory settings. Knight says to savor that moment because we are in the birthplace of the rebirth of his US Title run. He has dealt with sneak attacks, the mist, and it all. Old glory needs better representation. He says he hopes the shadows have been nice to him but he is going to win the title tonight. Piper is in pain and Chelsea says she will need Piper's help against Michin. Vega says she is wishing her good luck but it doesn't matter who wins tonight because she is next.


Women's United States Championship
Street Fight
Chelsea Green (c) vs. Michin

Green meets Michin on the floor and they exchange punches. Green sends Michin into the apron but Michin sends Green into the ringside barrier and back to the ring. Green with a baseball slide to Michin. Michin hits Green with the cookie sheet. She gets a few kendo sticks, a chair, and a crow bar. A chain is thrown into the ring with a trash can.

The match officially starts and Michin with a drop toe hold onto the chair. Michin grabs the chain and drops it to the mat. Green hits Michin and she sets for a power bomb but Michin blocks it and back drops Green onto the chain. Green rolls to the floor and Michin follows. Michin bites Green's hand. Michin goes under the ring for a table. Green with a drop kick and she puts the table back under the ring. Green kicks Michin in the back. Green goes under the ring and throws a few chairs into the ring, but within reach of Michin. Michin rolls back into the ring on the chairs that Green put in the ring. Green kicks Michin and she grabs a fope. She tries to hogtie Michin and she gets the hands.

Green tosses Michin across the ring using the rope. Green does it again. Green pulls Michin to the floor and she Irish whips Michin into the ringside barrier using the rope. Green sends Michin into the apron. Green hangs Michin from the apron. Green tries to pull Michin into the ring post and Michin blocks it. Michin pulls Green into the ring post. Michin sprays a fire extinguisher into Green's face. Michin goes back to get the table. Piper stops Green with a forearm to the back of the head. Piper slams Michin's head into the announce table and then back into the ring. Green gets the trash can and puts it in front of Michin's head. Green goes Coast to the Rockies with a springboard drop kick for a near fall.

B-Fab comes to the ring and she gets a kendo stick and she attacks Piper. B-Fab chases Piper to the back through the crowd. Michin gets back to her feet while Green screams for Piper. Michin hits Green many times with the kendo stick and follows with a drop kick. Michin throws a trash can at Green. Michin with a cannonball into the trash can against Green. MIchin gets a near fall. Michin goes back to the floor and it is finally time for the table to come completely from under the ring. The table is pushed into the ring. Michin starts to set up the table and Green with a bulldog onto the bottom of the table. Green sets up the table in the corner. Green picks up Michin and gos for a Death Valley Driver through the table but Michin escapes and hits Eat Defeat. Green gets onto the table and Michin with a back senton off the turnbuckles through the table.

A hooded woman pulls Green out of the ring and then she kicks Michin.

It is revealed that it is Alba Fyre under the hood. Fyre with a Destroyer onto a chair and then she helps Green pin Michin.

Winner: Alba Fyre (retains championship)


Backstage:
Santos says it was a disgrace by Angel Humberto. They had a chance in their hands and they should have won. Santos says he demands success. Humberto is asked by Andrade why is Santos acting that way towards him. He says that Humberto deserves better.

In Ring:
Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

Cody puts the belt down on the canvas.

Cody asks the people what do they want to talk about. Cody says the obvious question with the obvious answer is what do you say to a little one not four years old when she asks 'Papa, what happened to your face'. He says that is not a discussion he wanted to have. He told a Cody lie and he said he ran into a wall. He ran into a wall devised by The Rock, his associate Travis Scott, and his Wrestelmania opponent John Cena. Cody says he drove John around for two years from show to show and city to city to sponge off all of the knowledge he could. Cody says John was a hero and that is what a lot of people thought about him.

Some day he will tell her that a great man who used to symbolize virtue and wore a shirt that said never give up, gave up.

Cody apologizes for any language you might have heard. He says they would love to know why. Why? Cody says if he knows his old friend, it will be a very smooth, very educated, and well crafted statement. When he is finished talking, he will feel bulletproof and justified. There is no justification for you John Cena. Cody says he knows he is talking to the whole world. For the people in this room tonight, he says he doesn't know if you know this story. This was the one place his old man was afraid to perform in. He painted his face like the Road Warriors because he was afraid of how the people would react to him.

Cody says you cheered for him and you saddled up and rode with him. Last year, at Wrestlemania, you cheered for me and you chose me again.

Cody says speaking of Wrestlemania 40. You can watch it back and turn the audio up. His old friend John Cena looked at him and pointed to the title and he said 'it gets heavier every day'. Cody says he will never forget that. Cody says here he is holding that championship. It is not heavy enough. He has done this for more than 300 days. You think your successor had to look like you, talk like you, and be like you. You are convinced you are the last of your kind, but Cody says he is standing here like this title weighs nothing.

John Cena, you want some? Come and get some.

Backstage:
Miz tells Nick Aldis that there is more to the Elimination Chamber. He says he warned everyone about John Cena. This show needs the hard hitting questions. He talks about Melo Don't MizTV. Hayes says he wants to know why Cody fumbled the bag at the one yard line if you were given everything. Hayes says that Randy was on the couch playing Fortnite. Nick says Randy isn't here tonight. He suggests that Randy face Carmelo next week. Randy tells Hayes not to fumble the bag.


Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso

Jimmy attacks Drew and punches him before the match starts. Jimmy sends Drew over the top rope to the floor. Jimmy goes for a suicide dive but Drew with a forearm. Drew with a chop in the corner. Drew with an Irish whip and Jimmy tries to float over but Drew with a kick to the midsection. Drew with a forearm to the chest. Drew gets Jimmy up on his shoulders but Jimmy gets to his feet and he sends Drew into the announce table and he follows with a super kick and a cross body over the announce table.

We go to commercial.

We are back and JImmy with an uppercut and dragon whip. Jimmy with a Samoan drop for a near fall. Jimmy witha running hip into the corner and he goes to the turnbuckles. Drew punches Jimmy and Drew with a chop. Drew sets for a superplex but Jimmy blocks it and he pushes Drew to the mat. Jimmy with a super kick as Drew limps when he gets to his feet and Jimmy gets a near fall. Jimmy goes up top and Drew moves. Jimmy rolls through and Drew hits a Claymore for the three count.

Winner: Drew McIntyre

After the match:
Drew looks back to the ring and sees Jimmy on the mat. Damian Priest stops Drew from doing any more damage to Jimmy. Officials are summoned from the back to stop Damian's battery of Drew. Priest says he will kill Drew every week. Priest with a super kick to Drew followed by forearms.


Video:
Shinsuke Nakamura tells LA Knight will have no choice but to accept reality and that tis the US title has passed him by. He says the title is in his possession. He says he knew that Knight would make one more shot at his title and there is no better place than the birthplace of this country. He says he will continue to be the champion. You will beg for mercy and you will find none.


Backstage:
Byron is with Gargano and Ciampa and he asks if this is their toughest challenge. Johnny says there are a lot of good tag teams, but there are none better than them. Ciampa says they all want what they have and they can fight to see who is 2A or 2B. There is only one number one. The Street Profits have a new attitude and they have revenge on their mind. Johnny says they think they have a chance. The Street Profits are getting in the ring with the best, but their dream is dead. Ciampa asks for a moment of silence for the Street Profits' dream. Johnny yells at Byron for talking during the moment of silence.

Announcement:
Next week, DIY face the Street Profits for the tag titles, B-Fab faces Charlotte Flair, Carmelo Hayes faces Randy Orton, Miz will have Cody on MizTV.


Men's United States Championship
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. LA Knight

Knight with punches and Nakamura with a knee to the midsection. Knight with punches and a kick. Nakamura goes to the floor and Knight follows. Nakamura with a thrust kick and he hangs Knight over the side of the apron. Nakamura with a running knee lift. Nakamura with a sliding knee to Knight. Nakamura runs into boots but Nakamura blocks it and sends Knight into the ropes. Nakamura with a sliding German suplex. Nakamura runs into a boot and Knight with a bulldog off the turnbuckles and he clotheslines Nakamura over the top rope to the floor. Knight with a drop kick through the ropes. Knight gets on the ringside barrier and he connects with a clothesline.

They return to the ring and Knight goes to the turnbuckles but Nakamura stops him. Nakamura puts Knight on the top turnbuckle and he connects with a running knee to the midsection. Knight goes to the floor and Nakamura follows. Nakamura sends Knight into the apron. Nakamura kicks Knight against the ringside barrier and then he breaks the count. Knight sends Nakamura's head into the announce table many times. Knight hot shots Nakamura on the announce table. Nakamura reverses an Irish whip and sends Knight into the ring steps. They return tot he ring and Nakamura with a kick to the chest. Nakamura with a snap mare and a knee drop for a near fall. Knight with a punch.

Nakamura fires back with forearms and the exchange continues. Knight with a clothesline and a jumping neck breaker. Knight with a power slam and he signals for the YEAHple's Elbow for a near fall. Knight puts Nakamura on the turnbuckles and Nakamura pushes him off. Knight leaps to the turnbuckles but Nakamura goes under and drops Knight on the turnbuckles. Nakamura rakes the eyes and he goes for a belly-to-back superplex and hits it. Nakamura gets a near fall. Nakamura sets for Kinshasa but Knight with a clothesline. Nakamura escapes a belly-to-back suplex and Nakamura sends Knight into the corner. Nakamura with a kick to the back of the head.

Nakamura goes to the turnbuckles and Knight leaps up and sets for a superplex and hits it. Knight with a double jump elbow drop and then he sets for BFT. Nakamura escapes and he goes to the floor. Knight goes to the floor and Nakamura tries to use a chair and Knight blocks it. The referee reminds Knight he can be disqualified. Nakamura with a back elbow and he brings the chair into the ring. The referee takes it and Knight goes for a clothesline but Nakamura ducks. Nakamura tries to spit mist in Knight's eyes but hits the referee instead. Nakamura with a kick and hits Scorpio Rising. Nakamura gets the chair and Knight kicks it into Nakamura's head.

Knight with a BFT onto the chair and the referee is down. A second referee makes his way to the ring to make the three count.

Winner: LA Knight (new champion)

End of show.

[LionDen]

Scheduled:


-- WWE United States Championship Street Fight.
Chelsea Green (c) vs. Michin.
Brace yourself as inaugural Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green will battle the Kendo stick-wielding Michin in a destructive Street Fight for the title,


-- WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes will appear.
At WWE Elimination Chamber, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes turned down The Rock's offer to become "his champion. Then, moments after winning the right to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania by winning the Men's Elimination Chamber Match, John Cena aligned with The Final Boss and executed a brutal attack on The American Nightmare.


-- Randy Orton will appear.
What will the returning Randy Orton have to say about Kevin Owens tonight.


-- Jade CArgill will appear.
What will the returning Jade Cargill have to say after her brutal atatck on Naaomi at Elimination Chamber tonight.

[LionDen]

Good to see Orton back.

[LionDen]

lol Chelsea Green dressed like Cactus Jack.

[LionDen]

Well done LA Knight.

[LionDen]

A good show. You can see where some Mania matches are maybe coming from.

lol Aldis and the Tag Team board.