This week’s WWE SmackDown featured John Cena and Logan Paul getting the upper hand on Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso.
It was SmackDown at the Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield, California with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.
Seth Rollins led his group out to the ring for the show’s opening promo. Rollins was joined by the “Wise Man” Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Rollins went over his nicknames as usual, and he said tomorrow night, he would take everything. Rollins pointed at the Money in the Bank contract. Rollins said he will have absolute power and total control over this entire industry. The fans chanted “OTC” for Roman Reigns while there were CM Punk chants earlier. Rollins said that Reigns was on the Island of Irrelevancy. Rollins talked about how his total control goes for Smackdown and Raw. Rollins claimed that anybody who gets in their way will suffer the same fate as others who stand in their way. Rollins mentioned how Sami Zayn, CM Punk and Roman Reigns stood in their way, but they’re out of the way. Rollins said that Reigns has never cared about you, but Seth claims he has cared. Rollins said he’ll drag you into the future because it’s what he does, not just for him, not just for the group, but for the entire industry. Rollins claimed there was nobody who could stop him.
Solo Sikoa showed up for the interruption with US Champion Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo, who was dressed for a match. They got into the ring. Solo reminded Seth of what he said, and Solo told Seth that they were standing there right now. Solo claimed that Rollins had a little Bloodline going on here, and he asked Bron if he was supposed to be Jey Uso, so that led to “Yeet” chants. Solo spoke to Reed, wondering if he was supposed to be the honorary Bloodline member, Sami Zayn. Solo said, “Long time no see” to Heyman. Rollins warned Solo to choose his next words very carefully. Solo said he knows that tomorrow night he’s climbing the ladder and grabbing that Money in the Bank contract, so Solo claimed he will have the power.
Rollins said that Solo feels threatened because Bron Breakker is the future of this industry, and Solo is not. Rollins wondered if he was threatened because Reed could snap him like a bug at the snap of Seth’s fingers. Rollins said Solo’s own family, Jacob Fatu, would rather stab you in the back than have your back. Seth said maybe Fatu can be “Solo’s bitch” instead of the Samoan Werewolf. Rollins said it took Solo courage to walk to Rollins like this. Seth said he’s threatened by one Fatu in this ring, but it ain’t Solo. Fatu and Bron had a staredown, the fans cheered that sight, and Rollins told Bron to leave.
Jimmy Uso went into the ring and hit Mateo from behind with a forearm. Jimmy cleared the ring of the others. Jimmy nailed JC with a superkick to clear the ring. Fatu thought JC hit him, but Solo said JC didn’t hit him and said it was an accident. Jimmy’s match with Mateo was up next.
Match #1: Jimmy Uso defeated JC Mateo (w/Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu) by pinfall. Jimmy bounced off the ropes and hit a Spear. Jimmy went up top, so Solo went on the apron to distract, and Fatu was on the other side of the ring. Jimmy looked at his cousin Jacob. JC jumped with a forearm, and Jimmy moved, so JC hit Fatu off the apron. Jimmy did a rollup pin on JC for the pinfall win after 15 minutes. JC kicked out right after the three count.
Jacob Fatu, the US Champion, was shown walking backstage. Damian Priest talked to Fatu, saying he knows what it’s like to have family problems. Priest warned Fatu that he was coming for the US Title. Fatu told him to bring it, and then when Fatu beats him, he goes to the back of the line. Fatu did his “Yaddarramean” line to end it. Shinsuke Nakamura was in the background watching.
Match #2: Bakersfield Brawl: Zelina Vega defeated Piper Niven (w/Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre) by pinfall. The table was set up in the ring, and it had a Slim Jim logo on it. Niven put Vega on the table, but Giulia showed up to attack Green and Fyre with clotheslines. Giulia hit Niven with kendo sticks, so Vega gave Niven a Powerbomb through the table, and Vega pinned Niven for the pinfall win.
After the match, Giulia raised Vega’s hand as the winner. Giulia headbutted Vega, and Giulia hit a sitout powerslam. Giulia posed with the Women’s US Title on top of Vega.
Jey Uso was in the locker room with Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso. Cody and Jimmy checked on Jey, who said he was fine. Jimmy pointed out that Jimmy has a big tag team match tomorrow and a World Title match two days later. Jey said he was feeling good, he’s a champion, and he’s ready for tonight. Jey left.
Aleister Black was featured in a video package talking about LA Knight stealing his win after Black hit the Black Mass kick on Shinsuke Nakamura, and Knight threw Black out of the ring so that Knight could get the win. Black said now he wants to see what’s left of LA Knight in their match tonight. Black said if Knight beats him, then Black will shake his hand and admit defeat. That match is next.
LA Knight did a promo saying it’s Money in the Bank season. Knight said it’s his third year in a row in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Knight mentioned his MITB opponents. Knight discussed Seth Rollins, noting that they don’t have much history. Knight said that Rollins has been there, done that, and he is going to want to burn it down. Knight talked about how there’s nothing hotter than LA Knight in, so Rollins will get burned by this man. Knight said that he could understand why Aleister Black was upset that Knight stole the pin. Knight said he did what he had to do, and he got the job done. Knight told Black he’d be sitting at home on the couch watching LA Knight win Money in the Bank, and LA Knight ended it with his “Yeah” line.
Match #3: LA Knight defeated Aleister Black by pinfall. Knight and Black had a very competitive match. Knight hit a Burning Hammer slam into the mat. Seth Rollins went into the ring and Rollins hit The Stomp on Knight to ruin this match for the DQ finish.
After the match, Aleister Black was back in the ring, and he got in Seth’s face. Bron Breakker went into the ring, Black turned around, and Bron nailed Black with a huge Spear. Rollins tossed Black out of the ring. Reed hit a senton splash on Knight. Bron ran the ropes and hit a Spear on Knight.
A video aired featuring WWE Raw General Manager and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. The GMs talked about the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. There will be 4-way matches on Raw and SmackDown for wrestlers to qualify for the tournament. The finals are at Night of Champions in three weeks in Saudi Arabia. The winners get a championship match against the top champion of their brand at SummerSlam.
Jade Cargill was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Jade said she can’t wait to tear through the Queen of the Ring tournament. Jade said at SummerSlam, she’s not climbing for gold, she’s taking it. Byron asked where things stand with Jade and Bianca. Charlotte Flair interrupted to tell Jade to choose her friends wisely or not have any at all. Flair said that there’s only one queen in WWE, referring to herself. Tiffany Stratton, the WWE Women’s Champion, wished them good luck and walked for her promo up next.
Legado Del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar spoke with Angel and Berto. They spoke in Spanish while the translations appeared on the screen. They spoke about their Worlds Collide match against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner, Jr., Pagano and Psycho Clown. Escobar said they will establish who runs lucha libre. They shook hands, and Escobar said “Viva Mexico” to end it.
Chad Gable was with American Made backstage for an interview with Byron Saxton. Gable talked about how he’s going to win the AAA Mega Championship while saying he’s missing out on Money in the Bank, but he’s got a suitable replacement in El Grande Americano. Andrade and Penta confronted Gable. The SD GM Nick Aldis showed up to put Andrade and Penta in a match with The Creed Brothers tonight. That’s cool with me.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance for some Tiffy Time promo time. Stratton did a promo saying that last year she won Money in the Bank and became WWE’s “It Girl.” Stratton said whoever wins Money in the Bank, their world will revolve around Stratton. Tiffy reminded them that it’s Tiffy Time. Rhea Ripley was the first woman to interrupt. Ripley got a huge ovation. Ripley got in Stratton’s face, saying she has never been in a Money in the Bank before, but she is used to being a champion, and she misses that feeling. It led to a six-woman tag team match.
Match #4: Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Naomi, Roxanne Perez & Giulia by pinfall. The heel side controlled most of the action until Ripley got the hot tag. After Perez hit Ripley with a DDT, she wanted to tag in Naomi, but Naomi refused and went to the floor. Bliss punched Perez, Vaquer hit Eat Defeat to Perez, and Ripley hit Riptide on Perez for the pinfall win.
Solo Sikoa was backstage talking to JC Mateo, who wondered if Solo could trust Jacob Fatu. Solo said as long as Fatu follows his lead, everything will be okay. Solo claimed that Jacob loved him. Solo said that Jacob isn’t all the way that smart in the head because all he does is think about himself. Solo said that Jacob is “All gas and no brains.” Solo said they should go handle business. Jacob Fatu was shown standing behind a doorway, so he walked into the screen. The fans chanted “Fatu” for him.
A Wyatt Sicks video aired featuring Bo Dallas without his Uncle Howdy mask. Bo said that grief is a festering wound that is continually ripped open. Bo said you don’t forget, you can only accept that which cannot be changed. Bo said he’s watched the tag team division, and he wondered if that bond is unbreakable. Bo said that from loss, they have become a family. Bo said they return not for nostalgia or closure, but to take what they are owed. Bo said their brotherhood will be tested, the time for repentance has passed and accept your condemnation. Bo: “We will not be forgotten.”
The four top tag teams (The Street Profits, Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns and #DIY) were backstage talking with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, watching that video. The Street Profits’ Montez Ford said to forget about their Tag Team Title for now because all of them had a bigger problem on their hands. Angelo Dawkins said if the Wyatt Family want the smoke, they can get it. Fraxiom suggested that they could teach the Wyatts a lesson. Motor City Machine Guns said that they want to get their hands on The Wyatts, too. That led to #DIY’s Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano with Candice LeRae saying any of those three teams facing The Wyatts is a great idea. The #DIY guys left.
Match #5: Andrade & Penta defeated American Made – Brutus & Julius Creed (w/Chad Gable) by pinfall. Gable tried to help his friends, but El Hijo Del Vikingo stopped that. Vikingo and Gable went fighting into the crowd. Andrade hit both Creeds with back elbow smashes. Penta hit a Mexican Destroyer for the win.
Penta and Andrade were celebrating the win, but that’s when Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed showed up with Paul Heyman. The trio of Rollins, Breakker and Reed dominated the two men. Bron hit a Spear on Andrade. Reed hit a senton splash on Penta. Rollins hit The Stomp on Andrade, but it didn’t look great. Rollins hit The Stomp on Penta, and that one looked better. Rollins threw Andrade out of the ring. Reed went up top, and he hit a Tsunami on Penta as Barrett got excited because he got to yell it. There were WWE Officials at ringside as the show went to break.
The foursome of Rollins, Breakker, Reed and Heyman were in the ring. The WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman trashed the town they were in by calling it Bakers-Bitches. Heyman said that they don’t fear the future because they are the future. Heyman said that Seth Rollins told us what would happen at WrestleMania, and it happened. Heyman said what Rollins tells you is true. Heyman said they are the vanguards of the destiny of WWE. Heyman said you can sit there and boo all you want, but tomorrow night Seth Rollins becomes once again, Mr. Money in the Bank. Heyman said when Rollins feels like it, he’ll cash in and solidify the power that comes with the title. Heyman said that Rollins can carry the business into the future with a vision of his own. Heyman went on to talk about how Rollins was going to be the reigning…defending…and here is an interruption from Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes made his entrance in a black suit while the fans popped huge for him. Cody had a staredown with Rollins.
What Happened In The WWE SmackDown Main Event?
The main event was advertised as a face off between Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso together against John Cena & Logan Paul
Cody Rhodes asked what they wanna talk about. Cody mentioned everything going on and their Money in the Bank opponents. The names of John Cena and Logan Paul were booed. Cody said that Cena called him desperate, which led to a “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” chant. Cody said that it was bold of Cena to call for desperate. Cody talked about how Cena standing next to Logan Paul is like Michael Hayes standing next to The Hardy Boyz. It didn’t get a big reaction. Cody said it’s not about a championship at Money in the Bank, it’s a showdown. Jey said it was a Yeetdown, which led to Jey getting the crowd to shout out “Yeet” in unison.
The Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena made his entrance with some LA Lakers colors on his gear. Cena took his time getting into the ring like the heel that he is. Mark Nash did a special introduction for Cena.
Logan Paul jumped Jey Uso from behind and punched Jey in the face. Paul tried to do it to Cody, who avoided it, and Cena hit Cody with the WWE Title. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Jey. Paul hit a Paulverizer on Cody. Paul hit a Frog Splash off the top on Cody, and a Frog Splash for Jey too. Paul slipped on his way to the top before his splash on Cody, but he recovered.
Cena said to take a good look. Cena said nobody is coming to save you. Cena said that he’s been telling you for half a year. Cena said your dream of what WWE is will be ruined. Cena said this is your future – he takes the WWE Title home, Paul takes the World Title to the top. Cena said he was the Last Real Champion, and Paul was the inevitable future face of the WWE. Cena told them to humble themselves and look at the future World Heavyweight Champion, Logan Paul. The fans booed loudly. Cena brought Cody into the ring, and Cena hit Cody with the Attitude Adjustment. Paul sent Jey into the ring. Paul nailed Jey with a punch to the mouth.
The fans shouted, “We Want Truth.” Cena said you can’t handle the truth. Cena said their truth is staring you right in the face. Cena said there’s nothing you or anybody who fights for you can do about it. Cena said that you are hypocrites who chant for Truth, and Cena said they are pathetic liars. Cena said this is why you’re losers. Cena said that winners write the history books. Cena said this is your future champion (Paul), and the Last Real Champion is referring to Cena. Cena and Paul held up the WWE and World Titles in the air. That was the end of the show.
"Your dream of what the WWE is will be RUINED."@JohnCena, we can't take this anymore 😭#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/Ut7bY502Fm
— WWE (@WWE) June 7, 2025
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading.