Title: SmackDown Recap: Winners, Grades, and Highlights from January 17, 2025
SmackDown teased a thrilling night, pitting Bayley against Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women's Championship. Additionally, Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes went head-to-head, Solo Sikoa returned to team with Bianca Belair and Naomi against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae, and Motor City Machine Guns squared off with Los Garza.
Recent SmackDown viewership came in at 1.436 million, maintaining a steady fanbase. The show featured notable moments, such as Kevin Owens provoking Rey Mysterio with a troll shirt and Ramblin' Rey declaring for the 2025 Royal Rumble.
WWE SmackDown Results on Jan 17, 2025
- Bianca Belair and Naomi scored a victory over Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in a tense match. Suspiciously, neither woman seemed to have any leads on the attack on Bianca or Jax after her match.
- In what felt like a precursor to an upcoming feud, Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes clashed, with the Bloodline ruining Carmelo's night and leaving the up-and-coming superstar vulnerable.
- Motor City Machine Guns took on Los Garza in a high-octane tag team contest, climbing to victory with a slick sequence of maneuvers.
- Highlighting her continuing efforts to make her mark on the division, Piper Niven defeated an off-balanced B-Fab, earning the victory with a Samoan Splash.
- A resilient Kevin Owens edged out Rey Mysterio, using a clever spot to pick up the victory after an unforgiving Pop-up Power Bomb.
Opening Segment Grade: B
The show began with Rey Mysterio announcing his intention to compete in the Royal Rumble, setting the stage for a heated exchange with Kevin Owens. The opening segment delivered well, teasing a clash of personalities that promised to provide plenty of drama over the coming weeks.
Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae Grade: B-
Naomi and Bianca fought with determination, but Nia Jax's recent turn to the dark side presented a formidable challenge. Their strategic teamwork nearly paid dividends, with Naomi winning for her team with a unique Full Nelson Bomb into a rollup. The audience remained invested throughout, fostering anticipation for future encounters between the rival teams.
Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes Grade: B
Jimmy's entrance left fans in awe, with his speeches igniting the crowd. Carmelo showcased his underrated abilities, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with his impressive athleticism. However, the savage Bloodline invading the match ultimately left Carmelo vulnerable and set the stage for potential future interactions.
MCMG vs. Los Garza: B
The Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza engaged in a fast-paced, energetic tag team contest. Thrilling moments included a breathtaking double-team move from Los Garza that resembled a high-stakes soccer kick into a World's Strongest Slam. The Motor City Machine Guns ultimately emerged victorious with a showstopping Sliced Bread, leaving the audience cheering and breathless from the intense action.
B-Fab vs. Piper Niven Grade: C
Despite a brief moment of excitement due to some outside interference from Chelsea Green, the match between B-Fab and Piper Niven fell short of expectations. The conclusion was unexpected but didn't generate the same level of energy and excitement as some of the other contests during the evening.
Kevin Owens vs. Rey Mysterio Grade: B-
Kevin Owens skillfully worked the crowd, effectively delivering jeers to hometown hero Rey Mysterio. Mysterio's San Diego roots were on display as the audience proudly rooted for their beloved wrestler, even after Owens showcased his entertaining trolling. Though the match was primarily centered on palm strikes and submission holds, the climactic finish delivered thrills, leaving the outcome a topic of debate among the viewing audience.
Charlotte Flair Return Video; Tiffany Stratton Def. Bayley
The eagerly anticipated face-off between Charlotte Flair and Bayley never quite came to fruition, but their initial teaser left fans speculating about what the future might hold for these two rivals. Tiffany Stratton, however, proved that she is the reigning queen of the WWE Women's Championship, securing a decisive victory over wrecked Bayley.
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In the main event of WWE Smackdown, Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her WWE Women's Championship against a weakened Bayley. This came following a teased confrontation between Bayley and Charlotte Flair, leaving fans questioning if a future clash between the two rivals is on the horizon.
The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 was a topic of interest, with Kevin Owens taunting Rey Mysterio by wearing a provocative t-shirt, sparking tension between the two. Meanwhile, in the tag team division, Bianca Belair and Naomi emerged victorious over Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in a thrilling match, while Motor City Machine Guns triumphed over Los Garza in an intense showdown.
Smackdown results also featured a noteworthy clash between Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes, with the Bloodline ultimately interfering and leaving the up-and-coming superstar vulnerable. In a lackluster encounter, B-Fab fell to Piper Niven, while Kevin Owens scored a hard-fought victory over Mysterio with a clever spot, securing the win via Pop-up Power Bomb.
As Smackdown and WWE continued to generate intrigue and excitement among its passionate fanbase, the future of these rivalries and championships remains uncertain. With compelling storylines and intense matches, the stage is set for dramatic encounters and unexpected twists in the world of WWE.
