WWE SmackDown Results – January 17, 2025

Written by John Canton • Published Jan 17, 2025 23:54 EST

Upcoming WWE SmackDown To Air Free In The UK

This week’s WWE SmackDown featured Tiffany Stratton defending the Women’s Title against Bayley, Kevin Owens facing Rey Mysterio, and more.

It was SmackDown at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary.

Rey Mysterio did a show opening promo in his hometown of San Diego. Rey announced that he’ll be in the Royal Rumble match while reminding us that he won the Rumble in 2006 and the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22. Kevin Owens interrupted to say he respects Rey as much as anybody. Owens said he’s done it all including two WrestleMania main events, but he’s never had a match with Rey. Owens wanted Rey to pick Owens as the WWE Champion if Rey wins the Rumble. Rey reminded Owens he’s not the champion because Cody Rhodes is the WWE Champion. Owens snapped. Rey yelled at Owens saying he was delusional like Rey’s son Dominik. Owens tried to attack, Rey dropkicked him and Rey wanted a 619, but Owens bailed to the floor. Owens left with the Winged Eagle WWE Title.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi were backstage saying that there was no update on who attacked Jade Cargill. Belair apologized for hitting Naomi last week, Belair said that LeRae grabbed her hair and Naomi said she knows that. They made their way for a match with Naomi telling Belair to wrap her hair up, so Belair tied her hair up.

After a break, Rey Mysterio was backstage talking to Smackdown GM Nick Aldis. Aldis told Rey he’ll get what he wants tonight – a match with Kevin Owens. Cody Rhodes walked out of a room with a suit saying they had him getting checked by doctors to make sure he was cleared. Rey told Cody to heal up so Cody is rested for the Royal Rumble. Rey left. Aldis asked Cody what the doctor said and Cody said that the doctor cleared him. Aldis wanted Cody and Kevin to sign an addendum for their Royal Rumble match because he can’t let what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event happen again. Cody said he’d sign it after Kevin signed it. Cody left.

Match #1: Naomi & Bianca Belair defeated Nia Jax & Candice LeRae. Belair knocked Jax off the apron with a clothesline. Naomi hit a Full Nelson Bomb aka Bubba Bomb on LeRae for the pinfall win. There were no problems by Belair and Naomi during the match.

Bayley was interviewed by Byron Saxton earlier in the day when the arena was empty. Bayley was excited to be in the main event in her home state of California. Bayley talked about how last year at this time she was winning the Royal Rumble and became the WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley spoke about how she felt like her title was taken from her at SummerSlam due to Tiffany Stratton helping Nia Jax, so Bayley wants to take the title back. Bayley said that Stratton has reached the “Tiffy Top” and Bayley wants to get her title back, so tonight it’s personal.

Michin was talking to B-Fab in the women’s locker room. Michin complained about Chelsea Green, so B-Fab tried to encourage her. Piper Niven walked in like she was a security guard leading to Women’s US Champion Chelsea Green trashing Michin for losing to her. B-Fab called Niven a mall cop, so Niven threatened her. B-Fab suggested they handle this problem tonight and B-Fab said after she’s done with Niven, Green better watch her back. B-Fab and Michin left while Green told Niven to neutralize her tonight.

Match #2: Jimmy Uso defeated Carmelo Hayes by disqualification due to Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu interfering. Jimmy and Melo had a very good match until Jimmy was attacked.

After the match, Tama Tonga beat up Jimmy with punches. Fatu hit a running hip attack on cousin Jimmy. Tama jumped up leading to a DDT on Jimmy as well. Melo tried to talk to Fatu and Tama, but then Fatu nailed Melo with a clothesline. Fatu hit another running hip attack on Jimmy, who rolled out of the ring to the floor.

Solo Sikoa was about to do a promo in the ring, but the fans were booing him. Solo left without saying a word. Fatu and Tama were left alone in the ring. Fatu said that’s what it comes to, huh? Fatu said he’s tired of the disrespect and the hate. Fatu said even on his bad day, you still can’t touch him. Fatu said he didn’t give a damn if you cheer them or boo them. Fatu told the fans to shut up. Fatu said he won’t let the fans act like he never got his. Fatu said that the crazy thing about this situation is that he is just getting started.

LA Knight’s music hit as LA Knight attacked Fatu and Tama with punches. Tama held Knight’s leg, so Fatu hit a running forearm smash. Braun Strowman made the save for Knight as Tama jumped onto Braun, so Braun threw Tama into the barricade. Braun faced off with Fatu in the ring, it looked like Fatu wanted to fight and then Tama pulled Fatu out of the ring. Braun and Knight stood together in the ring while Tama calmed Fatu down on the floor.

Legado Del Fantasma was backstage with Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez encouraging Los Garza for their tag team match.

The announcers talked about WWE’s partnership deal with TNA that was announced earlier in the week. This was right before TNA legends Motor City Machine Guns had a match.

Match #3: The Motor City Machine Guns – Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley defeated Los Garza – Angel & Humberto (w/Elektra Lopez) by pinfall. Pretty Deadly went to ringside and tried to help Los Garza but it didn’t work. The Guns hit their Skull & Bones double team move for the win.

The Smackdown GM Nick Aldis was shown talking to Kevin Owens backstage. Aldis wanted Owens to sign the addendum. Aldis said Cody wouldn’t sign it until Owens signed it, so Owens said he’d sign it after Cody did. Owens said he didn’t trust Nick, so he needed to read it first, but Owens had a match. Owens said he had a match to prepare, so he told Nick to stop distracting him. Owens left while Nick sarcastically said, “that went well” to end it.

Match #4: Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green) defeated B-Fab by pinfall. B-Fab dove onto Green to prevent her from interfering. Niven capitalized with a senton splash and a Piper Driver to win.

After the match, Green and Niven beat up B-Fab with strikes. Michin ran down to the ring with a kendo stick. Niven got the kendo stick from Michin, so Michin hit a superkick on Niven to clear the ring.

There was a video tribute shown for baseball legend Bob Uecker, who died earlier this week. Bob is a WWE Hall of Famer who was part of multiple WrestleMania main events. Joe sent condolences to Bob’s family, friends and fans. Bob was 90 years old.

Tiffany Stratton was interviewed by Byron Saxton backstage. Stratton said she made Tiff-story (instead of history) by winning the WWE Women’s Title. Stratton said she knows Bayley has had a ton of big moments last year and a career of big moments. Stratton said she is the WWE Women’s Champion while she is living those moments. Stratton said that right now it’s Tiffy Time.

They showed former WWE Women’s Champion Victoria at ringside having a great time.

Match #5: Kevin Owens defeated Rey Mysterio by pinfall. Owens taunted Rey’s daughter Aaliyah at ringside and also Victoria as well. This was shown during the break that was on Netflix. Owens hit a Stunner and Rey kicked out at two. Rey hit a 619 kick, went up top for a move, but Owens shoved the referee into the ropes to crotch Rey on the top. Owens hit a Popup Powerbomb for the pinfall win.

After the match, Kevin Owens celebrated with the Winged Eagle WWE Championship. Owens shook Rey’s hand and Owens teased a piledriver, but Cody Rhodes’ music hit, which led to Cody running down to the ring. Cody attacked Owens with punches. The security guys, officials, and WWE Officials were at ringside to try to break it up. Cody left the ring, he ran around the ring, and jumped onto Owens leading to more punches. Owens was taken out of the ringside area and left into the crowd. Cody was in the ring leading to a staredown with Owens. Cody was left in the ring ready to fight as the show went to break.

Backstage after a break, Nick Aldis told Cody Rhodes that he and Kevin Owens can’t control themselves. Aldis said that next week on Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cody and Kevin Owens will sign the contract for the Royal Rumble. Aldis said that San Antonio legend Shawn Michaels will moderate the contract signing. Cody didn’t say anything as Aldis left.

It was announced that at Saturday Night’s Main event next Saturday, January 25th, Braun Strowman will face Jacob Fatu.

Pretty Deadly was walking backstage when #DIY approached as the WWE Tag Team Champions. Tommaso Ciampa told PD they were jokes and said that they had to be more like men. Johnny Gargano said that Ciampa was just being tough on them. #DIY left. Apollo Crews walked in to tell PD that he tried to talk to PD, but they didn’t listen and it got them nowhere. Johnny Gargano attacked Crews and sent him into a case. Gargano told Crews to keep their names out of his mouth. Gargano left while Crews was down selling the attack.

The former NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was shown sitting in the front row. Bayley and Perez got into a fight on NXT this past Tuesday. Bayley stared at Perez in the crowd.

A video package aired for former WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. Flair is coming back soon. Flair has been out of action since December 2023 due to a major knee injury that required surgery.

Match #6: WWE Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton defeated Bayley by pinfall. Bayley got in Roxanne Perez’s face during the match, but they didn’t fight. It went nearly 20 minutes with Bayley almost winning a few times. Stratton hit a cartwheel Alabama Slam and followed up with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pinfall win.

After the match, Tiffany Stratton celebrated with the WWE Women’s Title. Bayley was frustrated on the apron. Joe said, “It’s Tiffy Time.” That was the end of the show.