WWE SmackDown Results – May 16, 2025

Written by John Canton • Published May 17, 2025 00:59 EDT

This week’s WWE SmackDown featured Tiffany Stratton defending the Women’s Title against Nia Jax, plus two big Money in the Bank qualifying matches.

It was SmackDown at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.

The trio of US Champion Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and the newcomer Jeff Cobb made their entrance for a promo. Solo welcomed “JC” to the family without saying his name. Solo said when Roman Reigns lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, they lost everything and now he’s going to take it all back. Solo talked about how it starts with winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and bringing the WWE Title back where it belongs. Solo mentioned the “Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu, who took the microphone from Solo. There were “Fatu” chants. Jacob said he told us that he was bringing the US Title to the family, and he’d do it with or without them. Fatu said he’ll deal with anybody all by himself. Fatu said he was “all gas, no breaks,” and Solo interrupted. Solo said he’s doing all of this because he loves Fatu. Solo said everything he is doing is to help him. Solo said that the US Title is proof that he loves Jacob. Solo said that Fatu used to say it loud and proud, so he wanted Fatu to say it. Fatu said it: “I love you, Solo.” Solo said that it’s not how he used to say it. Solo wanted Fatu to say it how he used to it.

LA Knight interrupted the promo with his music playing. Knight didn’t make his entrance from the back. Instead, Knight appeared at ringside, pulled JC (Cobb) out of the ring and slammed him into the commentary table. Knight left through the crowd.

Michin was backstage with B-Fab talking about how Michin was going to qualify for Money in the Bank. Chelsea Green and her friends Piper Niven & Alba Fyre interrupted to say that Green would win. Alexa Bliss also appeared, said, “See ya out there,” and left. B-Fab told the Secret Service that they wouldn’t be allowed ringside. Green was angry about that.

Match #1: Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green and Michin by pinfall. Bliss won with a Sister Abigail DDT on Green.

The win means that Alexa Bliss is the first woman to qualify for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. It looks like there will be six women in the match.

Match #2: Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom defeated #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano by pinfall. Axiom countered Gargano got sat on top, leading to the win.

After the match, #DIY attacked Fraxiom. Motor City Machine Guns went to the ring. The Guns hit Ciampa with a double team flatliner on the floor. Chris Sabin hit a running kick on Gargano on the floor. The Guns checked on Fraxiom and congratulated them on the win.

Rey Fenix was backstage talking to Andrade. Fenix shook hands with him. Andrade said that maybe they’ll have a Money in the Bank moment together. Rey Fenix mentioned that he had his WrestleMania moment, but now he’s focused on Money in the Bank. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC asked them where LA Knight is. Andrade had no idea. Solo left frustrated.

The Street Profits approached Fraxiom backstage. Montez Ford informed them that their WWE Tag Team Title match was granted for next week. Angelo Dawkins said that they’ll be 100% and they hope Fraxiom are 100% too. Nathan Frazer and Axiom left to go celebrate.

There was a locker room interview from earlier in the day with R-Truth and Wade Barrett seated across from eachother. Truth said that he felt like you could depend on John Cena. Truth went over Cena catchphrases like “your time is now” and “hustle, loyalty, respect.” Barrett told Truth that he sounded crazy since Cena attacked him last week. Truth said that Cena won the match on his own. Truth told Wade that it was not the Cena that he knew. Truth said that the John that he knows would never do what he did. Truth told Wade that he didn’t want to fight John, but if he has to beat him back to his senses, he’s going to do it at Saturday’s Night Main Event because he talked to Nick Aldis about it. Truth said that “never give up,” and regardless of what happens, he’s going to live by three words: “Hustle, loyalty, respect.” Wade thanked him.

Damian Priest was featured in a video talking about his ongoing issues with Drew McIntyre. Priest spoke about how he wanted this cycle to end between them, so Priest challenged Drew to a Steel Cage Match at Saturday Night’s Main Event next week.

Match #3: Aleister Black defeated Carmelo Hayes (w/The Miz) by disqualification. Black hit a jumping knee that put down Melo. Black wanted to do more, but The Miz attacked Black from behind for the DQ finish. After the match, The Miz tried an attack, but Black hit a Black Mass kick. Melo hit a chop block on Black. Melo went up top and hit the Nothing But Net leg drop to the back of the head to put Black down.

Alexa Bliss was being interviewed by Byron Saxton. Bliss said it was great to be in Money in the Bank and wants to be the first two-time winner. Bliss left to talk to Charlotte Flair. Bliss mentioned what they talked about last week and Flair said she didn’t want to be friends with her. Bliss mentioned when she started in NXT, Flair was nice to her and Bliss never forgot that. Flair said they were never that close, and she didn’t remember that. Giulia was shown leaving the office of SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Nick walked out of the room to say that Giulia was the newest member of the Smackdown roster. Nick told Charlotte they should talk about Money in the Bank. Flair told Bliss to stay out of her way because Flair doesn’t need her. Bliss told Flair to keep telling herself that.

Drew McIntyre did an in-ring promo where he said that he’s the only reason why anybody gives a damn about Damian Priest. Drew said he’s been trying to get rid of Priest for months. He beat Priest at WrestleMania, and Priest continues to get involved. Drew said he knows that this is jealousy because Priest knows that Drew is better than him. Drew said that he would have been a Grand Slam Champion if it wasn’t for Priest at Backlash. Drew yelled about Priest slamming him off a platform and slamming his head into the concrete. Drew said this has to end, so he’ll see him inside that Steel Cage next Saturday. Drew said when he guarantees something, it happens. Drew said that only one man would walk out of that cage while the other was leaving on a stretcher.

There was a rundown of the Saturday Night’s Main Event card on May 24th.

* Steel Cage Match: Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
* John Cena vs. R-Truth
* Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk & Sami Zayn
* World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso vs. Logan Paul

Match #4: Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Solo Sikoa (w/Jacob Fatu & JC) defeated Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix by pinfall. Near the end of the match, Fatu was on the apron, so Jimmy superkicked him. Solo hit a Samoan Spike on Jimmy. Fenix hit a running kick and double foot stomp on Solo. Fenix knocked JC off the apron, so when he turned around, Solo hit a Samoan Spike on Fenix for the pinfall win.

That win means that Solo Sikoa is the first qualifier for the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

LA Knight showed up at ringside and beat up JC with punches. Knight grabbed a steel chair and wanted to fight Solo and his buddies. SmackDown called out a referee right now so Knight can face JC right now.

The graphic for the former Jeff Cobb said JC Mateo, so that’s his WWE name.

Match #5: JC Mateo (w/Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu) defeated LA Knight by pinfall. Knight was distracted by JC’s friends on the floor. Knight hit a springboard cross body block onto Solo and Fatu on the floor. JC was back up, he caught Knight and hit a Tour of the Islands spinning powerslam for the pinfall win.

Santos Escobar was talking to Angel in the locker room. Angel said that Berto needed space. Escobar said he’ll forgive what happened last week. Escobar said that he secured an opportunity. Escobar told Angel to find Berto and bring him home. Angel said he’ll try his best. Escobar said when you stand up for something bigger than yourself, it would be a shame to lose everything for the actions of a selfish person. Escobar reminded him they were Legado and left.

A video featuring Shinsuke Nakamura speaking in Japanese while translating words into English appeared on the screen. Nakamura said that LA Knight hasn’t changed. He claimed he wasn’t scared of Aleister Black. Nakamura warned them that he is an unstoppable storm since they have a Money in the Bank qualifying match next week.

In the backstage area, Jade Cargill spoke to WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton about how Jade was coming for the champion. Jade talked about how she was going to win Money in the Bank and cash in to become the champion. Stratton said that Jade will never be good enough to cash in on her. While this was going on, Naomi was shown in the background staring at both women. Stratton left for her match.

Match #6: WWE Women’s Championship – Tiffany Stratton defeated Nia Jax by pinfall to retain the Women’s Title. Naomi went to ringside with a steel chair, but Jade Cargill showed up to superkick Naomi to prevent Naomi from interfering. Jax set up for the Annihilator, but Stratton managed to get back up and Stratton went for a Powerbomb, but Jax fell on top with an Annihilator and Jax got a two count because Stratton got her hand on the bottom rope, so it was just a two count. Jax was frustrated, so she grabbed the title and teased leaving. Jax had a steel chair and Stratton dropkicked the chair into Jax’s face while the referee was removing the Women’s Title. Stratton went up top and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Jax for the pinfall win.