WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - January 17th, 2025

[Kemo]

Tiffany Stratton defends WWE Women’s Title against Bayley

Tiffany Stratton will make her first WWE Women’s Title defense when she battles familiar rival Bayley. Bayley took down Nia Jax, Naomi and Bianca Belair in a No. 1 Contenders Fatal 4-Way Match to earn a chance to challenge The Center of the Universe. She now looks to quickly end the WWE Women’s Title reign of Stratton, who shockingly cashed in her Money in the Bank contract two weeks ago to defeat Nia Jax. Stratton interfered in Bayley’s WWE Women’s Title defense against Nia Jax at SummerSlam, allowing Jax to defeat Bayley and win the championship. Who will leave San Diego as WWE Women’s Champion?

WE SmackDown kicks off with Joe and Wade walking backstage surrounded by WWE fans. They walk towards the ring while also discussing the history big names that have performed at the arena. Wade mentions that Tiffany Stratton will defend her Championship tonight against Bayley.

They introduce Rey Mysterio, a San Diego native and out he comes to a loud pop from the fans!

Rey Mysterio and Kevin Owens

Out he comes with the fans chanting “619” and he gets in the ring, welcoming everyone to SmackDown. He says it is great to be back home in front of his people and his daughter. Rey says he wanted to reminisce as he gets ready to do the impossible again and he says he will be in the Royal Rumble match.

Rey takes it back to 2006 where he entered the Royal Rumble at number two and became the 2006 Royal Rumble winner. He talks about how he went on to main event WrestleMania and became the World Heavyweight Champion. Rey says he won’t lie, he will be realistic as competition is heavy this year. Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and John Cena. He says it will be tough but when he won in 2006, he did it for a friend that we all know very well.

The fans chant “Eddie” and Kevin’s music hits. Out comes Kevin Owens, interrupting Rey Mysterio. Owens apologizes for interrupting him and the fans boo him. He says but he had to come out because he heard Rey talk about how he was going to win the Rumble. Owens goes on to say that he respects Rey a lot, saying that there is no one in this industry that he respects as much as Rey.

Owens says he has had a great career, he main evented WrestleMania with Steve Austin, he won the Tag Team titles with then best friend at a WrestleMania main event and now he gets to stand here with the Winged Eagle belt, the belt that as a kid, he saw all of his idols win. The belt that he dreamed of winning and now he stands as the true, rightful WWE Champion. But there is one thing left to accomplish for him to feel like his career is complete and that is to step in the ring and have a one on one match against Rey Mysterio.

He slowly gets in the ring and he says he hopes Rey does win the Royal Rumble. Owens tells Rey that he has to promise him after winning the Rumble, that he will be the Champion that he will pick to have a match against at WrestleMania.

Rey says he is all about challenges, he loves competition but Owens is not the Champion. And he means that with all the respect, Cody is the Champion. But if he wins the Rumble and Owens wins, he would be more than happy to face him for the title.

Owens yells at Rey telling him that he is the Champion, he deserved his title. He asks him if Cody has him brainwashed too. Owens begins to lose it and Rey tells him he is acting delusional and he reminds him of his son Dominic. Owens goes for a right hand, Rey with a right hand, he trips Owens up but Owens rolls to the outside of the ring. Rey’s music hits and Owens is on the outside yelling at him as we cut to the back.

Backstage:
Bianca Belair is backstage with Naomi and Naomi tells her she has no update from Nick Aldis as to who attacked Jade Cargill. Bianca gets angry but they talk about their match tonight and how they are still Tag Team Champions. Naomi jokingly tells Bianca that she should tie her braid up to avoid another accident like last week. Bianca ties her hair up and the two begin to walk down to the ring.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
Nick Aldis is with Rey Mysterio and he tells Rey that he will give him what he wants. He will have Kevin Owens one on one tonight. Out comes Cody Rhodes from the trainer’s room and he apologizes for not being able to be out there tonight. Rey tells him to rest up and he will take care of Kevin Owens tonight. Cody wishes him good luck and Rey walks away. Cody tells Aldis that he is healed up and Aldis tells him he believes him but there’s still a lot of time until the Royal Rumble. Aldis tells Cody he wants him to sign the contract to avoid a repeat of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody tells Aldis that he will sign it when Owens does.


Non Title match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae

The bell rings and we are under way. Nia with a cheap shot onto Naomi from behind and Candice hits Bianca from behind. Nia and Bianca start the match and Nia with a headbutt. She tags Candice in but Bianca with a vertical suplex. Bianca with right hands onto Candice in the corner on the second turnbuckle, in comes Nia and Bianca jumps, getting out of the way. A drop kick by Bianca sends Nia to the outside. Bianca turns her attention to Candice and she gorilla presses her over the top rope and onto Nia who is on the outside of the ring.

Bianca goes to the outside and throws Candice back into the ring. Nia holds Bianca’s leg as she is getting back into the ring and Candice with a kick. She stomps on Bianca in the ring and tags Nia into the match. Nia clotheslines Bianca to the outside of the ring and Candice is tagged in. Candice stomps on Bianca on the outside and she slams her face first into the ring apron and back into the ring. She goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out.

Candice goes for a splash onto Bianca but Bianca moves out of the way. Bianca goes for the tag but Nia trips Naomi off the ring apron. Candice with a kick to the face and she tags Nia into the match. Nia with a Samoan drop and Nia goes for a splash in the corner but Bianca with a kick to the face. Bianca throws Candice into the ring apron and she climbs the second rope. Nia with a right hand and Nia climbs the second rope. Bianca pushes her down and Bianca with a cross body and both women are down.

Bianca tags Naomi into the match and she kicks Nia in the face followed by a face buster. She goes for the cover but Nia kicks out. Naomi with a split legged moonsault and she goes for the cover but Candice breaks it up. Bianca with a kick to the side of the head and Bianca is tagged in. Nia with a headbutt onto Bianca and a Samoan drop to Naomi. Nia to the ropes and Candice tags herself in. Bianca spears Nia, unaware that Candice is the legal competitor. Candice with a dropkick onto Bianca followed by the senton. Nia with a senton. Candice goes for the cover but Bianca kicks out.

Candice runs towards Bianca in the corner but Bianca lifts her up and slams her face first onto the top turnbuckle. She goes for the cover, Nia goes for a leg drop onto Bianca, Bianca moves out of the way and Nia accidentally leg drops Candice. Bianca throws Nia to the outside. Naomi is tagged in and she lands the Bubba Bomb onto Candice. Naomi goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: Bianca Belair and Naomi


We go to commercial.

Earlier tonight:
An interview from earlier during the day between Byron Saxton and Bayley airs. She tells him that they all dream about being in the main event on SmackDown and this night is huge for them. She says this time last year, she won the Royal Rumble and she went on to WrestleMania. And she doesn’t know if she fulfilled her potential during her last title reign and she’s a perfectionist. She felt like her reign was cut short because of Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton. She tells Byron that we saw what Tiffany can do and she is willing to turn on her best friend even. And tonight, for her, it’s personal. Byron wishes her good luck and we cut to Joe and Wade who discuss the match later tonight.

Backstage:
We cut to Michin and B-Fab. Michin says that Women’s US Title should have been hers. In comes Piper Niven who tells Chelsea that no threats detected, it is safe for her to come in. Chelsea provokes Michin but B-Fab tells Chelsea that had it not been for her mall cap Piper, she would not be champion. Piper tells B-Fab not to take another step. B-Fab tells them she will talk to Nick Aldis and handle things tonight.

We go to commercial.


Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes is cutting a promo as he gets on the ring apron. He tells Jimmy that he is living in Jey’s shadow who is living in Roman’s shadow. Jimmy flips him over the top rope and into the ring, the bell rings and we are under way. Jimmy wears Carmelo’s sun glasses which fell off and he hits him with right hands. Jimmy goes for a super kick but Carmelo rolls to the outside of the ring. As he is getting back in, Jimmy grabs him but Carmelo hangs him up on the top rope. Carmelo with chops to the chest followed by right hands. Carmelo to the ropes but Jimmy throws him down onto the mat. Jimmy goes for a running hip attack but Hayes moves out of the way. Hayes on the ring apron but Jimmy with a right hand. Jimmy suplexes Carmelo on the ring apron and Jimmy gets back in the ring and lands a suicide dive.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Carmelo and Jay are fighting on the second rope. Jimmy with an elbow and Hayes falls to the mat. Jimmy goes for a spinning back elbow but Hayes moves out of the way. Hayes with a springboard reverses DDT and he goes for the cover but Jimmy kicks out. Hayes to the ropes and a double clothesline, both men are down. Both men slowly get to their feet and Hayes with a chop to the chest. Hayes to the ropes and Jimmy with a pop up Samoan drop. He goes for the cover but Hayes kicks out. Jimmy climbs the top rope, goes for the Uso Splash but Hayes with The First 48 in mid air! He goes for the cover but Jimmy kicks out. The fans chant “This is awesome” and Hayes slowly climbs the top rope. Hayes jumps, Jimmy ducks and hits him with the super kick. He goes for the cover but Hayes kicks out! Jimmy goes for another Samoan drop, Hayes with a crucifix cover but Jimmy kicks out. Jimmy gets to his feet and he hits him with the spear. Jimmy climbs the top rope but we see Jacob Fatu standing on the opposite side of the ring. Tama Tonga pushes Jimmy down and the referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Jimmy Uso (by DQ)

After the match:
Jacob Fatu with a running hip attack in the corner and Tonga with a jumping DDT. Hayes gets to his feet and the fans chant “OTC”. Hayes stands next to Fatu but Fatu with a clothesline takes him down. Fatu with another running hip attack in the corner onto Jimmy.

Solo’s music hits and out he comes.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial and The Bloodline are in the ring. Jacob yells at the crowd and tells them to shut the hell up or they will leave the same way the Chargers left this city.

Solo holds up the microphone and he drops it on the mat. He leaves the ring, takes off his red jacket and walks away through the crowd with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga standing in the ring. Jacob and Tama Tonga look at each other in the ring. Jacob grabs the microphone and he says this is what it comes to. This is it. Jacob says he is tired of the disrespect, he is tired of the hate, of the envy. But envy him all you want, even on his worst day, you can’t touch him. He doesn’t care if they cheer them or boo them but one thing he won’t let them do is to act like he never got his.

Jacob tells them if they thought he was crazy or off the hinges. The crazy thing about this situation is that he is just getting started. Jacob drops the microphone and LA Knight’s music hits. They look at the ramp and LA Knight attacks them both from behind. Right hands by LA Knight but Fatu with a running take down onto LA Knight. Both men double team him but Braun Strowman’s music hits and out he comes.

Tama Tonga jumps over the top rope but Strowman catches him and throws him into the barricade. Strowman gets in the ring and both men are face to face but Tama Tonga drags Fatu out of the ring. Strowman’s music hits and he stands in the ring with LA Knight.


Backstage:
We cut to Legado Del Fantasma backstage. They talk about their match tonight against Motor City Machine Guns and about how no one is handing them respect. And if you want respect, you take it, that’s what Legado does.


Motor City Machine Guns vs. Angel and Berto

The bell rings and we are under way. Shelley and Angel start the match. Angel with a right hand and Berto is tagged in, they double team Shelley. Berto goes for the cover but Shelley kicks out. He grabs Shelley but Shelley with several chops to the chest and Sabin is tagged in. A double back body drop onto Sabin. Angel gets in the ring and they double team him. A snapmare by Sabin onto Berto followed by a chin lock. Berto is thrown to the ropes and Angel tags himself in, he gets into the ring and they both take Sabin down. Angel with a running knee onto Sabin.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Angel and Berto double team Sabin. Berto goes for the cover but Sabin kicks out. Angel is tagged in, he grabs Sabin by the leg but Sabin with a kick to the side of the head. Shelley is tagged in and right hands onto Berto who is tagged in. Berto is in the corner and Sabin snaps his leg onto the second rope and Shelley snaps Berto’s left leg into the second ropes. Shelley tags Sabin who and Sabin tags Shelley back in. They double team Berto, dropping him onto the mat. In comes Angel but Sabin trips him up. The Motor City Machine Guns get them both in figure four leg locks but Berto makes it to the ropes. Shelley grabs Berto by the leg but Berto pushes him away and he slams Shelley onto the mat. Angel is tagged back in and in comes Sabin but Berto clotheslines him down. Los Garza double team The Motor City Machine Guns, slamming them both onto the mat. Garza goes for the cover onto Shelley but Shelley kicks out. The fans chant “This is awesome” and Garza with a kick onto Shelley and Berto is tagged in. In comes Sabin but he takes both men down and Los Garza fall to the outside of the ring. Shelley lowers the second rope and Sabin with a suicide dive onto Los Garza. Sabin throws Berto back into the ring, Berto rolls him up but Pretty Deadly get on the ring apron. Prince distracts the referee and that breaks up the cover. The Motor City Machine Guns take advantage and land Skull and Bones. Sabin goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: The Motor City Machine Guns


Backstage:
Nick Aldis is backstage and he stops Kevin Owens. He tells him he needs him to sign an addendum into his contract. Owens tells him that Cody didn’t sign it and he won’t sign it until Cody signs it. He has a match, he won’t read it now.


Piper Niven with Chelsea Green vs. B-Fab

The bell rings and we are under way. B-Fab with a kick to the face followed by a face buster. She goes for the cover but Piper Niven kicks out. B-Fab runs towards Niven but Niven slams her onto the mat. Niven goes for a senton but B-Fab moves out of the way. B-Fab with a DDT and she goes for the cover but Niven kicks out. B-Fab with a kick and Niven falls onto the ring apron. B-Fab with another kick to the face and Niven falls to the outside. B-Fab grabs Niven and throws her back into the ring. She yells at Chelsea, telling her to stay back. B-Fab gets on the ring apron and Chelsea gets in B-Fab’s face but B-Fab jumps onto her, taking her down. B-Fab slides into the ring and Niven with a senton. She lifts B-Fab and lands a pop up driver. Niven goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Piper Niven

After the match:
Chelsea gets in the ring after the match and both women double team B-Fab. Michin;’s music hits and out she runs with a kendo stick. She swings it at Niven but Niven grabs it from her. Niven goes to swing but Michin hits her in the face. Chelsea and Niven roll to the outside of the ring and Michin’s music hits as she helps B-Fab back up.


A video tribute airs for WWE Hall of Famer Bob Uecker.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
Byron Saxton is backstage with Tiffany Stratton and he tells her that tonight, she defends her title for the first time. She tells him that she heard Bayley and she is right, she had big moments last year but so has she. Tiffany says she became the youngest Miss Money in the Bank and is now Champion. And she does not have to recreate those moments because right now, she is that moment. She says right now, it’s Tiffy Time.


Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens

We see former WWE Women’s champion Victoria who is in attendance.

The bell rings and we are under way. Owens with a kick followed by an arm bar but Rey throws him to the ropes and Owens with a shoulder block onto Rey who falls to the outside of the ring. Rey gets back into the ring and both men exchange reversal holds. Rey with a twisting hurricanrana followed by a forearm to the face. Rey to the ropes, he goes for another hurricanrana but Owens slams him onto the mat. Owens with a senton and the fans boo. He slams Rey into the turnbuckle and over to the outside. Owens with a forearm to the face but Rey with kicks. Rey gets on the ring apron and he jumps onto Owens, throwing him into the barricade. Rey back into the ring and a sliding splash onto Owens who is down.

-Commercial Break-

Back from commercial, Owens runs towards Rey in the corner but Rey moves out of the way and Owens hits the ring post shoulder first. Rey climbs the top rope and he lands a seating senton. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Rey trips Owens up and Owens is down on the second rope, Rey about to go for the 619 but Owens with a kick to the face. Owens goes for a pop up power bomb but Rey with a DDT. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Rey places Owens on the top rope and Rey grabs Owens but Owens with right hands and a headbutt. Rey falls onto the mat and Owens with a frog splash. He goes for the cover but Rey kicks out. Owens places Rey on the top rope but Rey with right hands. Rey with a sunset flip, he goes for the cover but Owens kicks out.

Rey goes for a springboard splash but Owens moves out of the way and he hits Rey with the Stunner. He goes for the cover but Rey kicks out. Owens climbs the top rope, he goes for a senton but Rey gets his knees up and Owens leans on the second rope. Rey hits him with the 619 and climbs the top rope. Owens gets to his feet and tumbles onto the referee who leans on the ropes and Rey falls to the mat. Owens with a pop up powerbomb. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Kevin Owens

After the match:
Kevin Owens helps Rey get back up, he shakes Rey’s hand and goes for the package piledriver but Cody’s music hits and out he runs to the ring. Cody and Owens with right hands but Cody gets Owens on the mat and he begins to stomp on him. Out come WWE officials who break it up. Cody slides to the outside and runs to the other side of the ring. Both men fight towards the announce table but officials break it up. Owens grabs his WWE Winged Eagle Title Belt and leaves through the crowd. He stands on stage equipment, raising his belt in the air and looks at Cody Rhodes.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
Nick Aldis with Cody Rhodes. Aldis says he tried to be patient but enough is enough. He says Cody and Owens are out of control. Aldis says next week at Saturday Night’s Main Event, they will both relinquish their Championship belts to be suspended in the air at the Royal Rumble. And they will sign the contract. Aldis says someone else will moderate that contract signing in San Antonio and that will be moderated by Shawn Michaels.

Backstage:
We cut to Pretty Deadly backstage and they are stopped by DIY. Both teams argue about how their plan didn’t work out. Ciampa calls them a joke and everyone is laughing at them. If they want a shot at their tag titles, they have to act like men. Gargano tells them chin up and they’ll see them next week. DIY walk away and in come Apollo Crews but Pretty Deadly walk away. Johnny Gargano attacks Apollo Crews and throws him into WWE equipment backstage.

They announce Braun Strowman will take on Jacob Fatu at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event on Jan 25.

They announce next week on Smackdown, L.A. Knight vs Tama Tonga and Motor City Machine Guns vs Pretty Deadly.

We see Roxanne Perez in attendance.

Video package:
Charlotte Flair.


Women's Undisputed Championship
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Bayley

The bell rings and we are under way. Both women exchange reversals and get to their feet. Bayley with a snapmare and she runs to the ropes but Tiffany with a shoulder tackle. She throws Bayley in the corner but Bayley with an elbow to the face. An arm drag take down followed by a clothesline. Bayley goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bayley clotheslines her to the outside of the ring.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Bayley with a dropkick under the bottom rope onto Tiffany who is on the outside of the ring. She goes for another drop kick but Tiffany moves out of the way and she pulls Bayley arm first into the ring post. She throws Bayley into the ring and goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Tiffany throws Bayley onto the ring apron and she trips her up, face first onto the ring apron. Tiffany goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Bayley rolls to the outside of the ring and Tiffany runs towards her but Bayley with a clothesline. Bayley slams Tiffany face first onto the ring apron. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bayley kicks Tiffany down to the outside and Bayley goes for a suicide dive but Tiffany with a right hand. Bayley hanging on the side of the ring and Tiffany with a hip attack and Bayley’s head hits the side of the ring. Tiffany gets back in the ring and jumps towards Bayley but Bayley catches her and hits her with a Bayley to Belly.

We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Tiffany and Bayley are fighting on the second rope and Bayley with a suplex. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bayley climbs the second rope but Tiffany slams Bayley’s arm up on the top rope and Bayley falls onto the mat. Tiffany climbs the top rope and she lands a swanton bomb! Tiffany with a powerbomb. She goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Tiffany grabs Bayley by the arm but Bayley throws Tiffany to the outside. Tiffany drags Bayley to the outside but Bayley slams Tiffany onto the announce desk. Bayley with a suplex on the outside. Bayley gets in Roxanne’s face who is at ring side and she turns her focus back to Tiffany. She throws Tiffany back into the ring and Bayley climbs the top rope, landing the elbow drop. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bayley with a crossface but Tiffany gets out of it. Bayley goes for the Bayley to Belly but Tiffany rolls out of it and she hits Bayley with a spine buster. She goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out.

Tiffany lifts Bayley up on her shoulders but Bayley lands on her feet and she hits Tiffany with the Bayley to Belly! She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. Bayley with a sunset flip into the corner. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. She lifts Tiffany up on her shoulders and slams Tiffany down. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. She goes for the Rose Plant but Tiffany pushes her into the corner. Tiffany goes for the cover but Bayley kicks out. Bayley gets up and goes back for the Rose Plant but Tiffany with a cartwheel Alabama slam. She lands the Prettiest Moonsault Ever! Tiffany goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton (retains championship)

After the match:
Tiffany celebrates.

End of show.

[LionDen]

Scheduled for tonight:

-- Solo Sikoa returns.
-- WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Bayley
-- Bianca Belair & Naomi vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
-- Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) vs. Los Garza (Angel and Berto)

[LionDen]

Rey Mysterio vs Kevin Owens match is good.

[LionDen]

A good match between Tiffany Stratton and Bayley. I thought Roxanne Perez may interfere biy no.

[LionDen]

Opening

[LionDen]

Backstage

[LionDen]

Non Title match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi defeated Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.

[LionDen]

[LionDen]

[LionDen]

Backstage