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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 10, 2025
PORTLAND, ORE. AT MODA CENTER
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as of show time 9,221 tickets had been distributed. The arena has a capacity of 20,500 spectators when configured for concerts.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They showed an aerial view of Portland, Ore. as Joe Tessitore introduced the show. They cut to shots of the crowd and then Tessitore and Wade Barrett at ringside. Tessitore talked about Portland taking pride in being weird and said tonight’s Smackdown could get weird with two championship matches scheduled. Tessitore said, “This is our new home – Smackdown!” Tessitore said “they did a great job with the Netflix debut on Monday.” Barrett said they’ve got their finest blue suits on and are ready to bleed blue.
They showed Tiffany Stratton arriving at the arena with the belt over her shoulder. Then they showed Shinsuke Nakamura walking backstage. And then Paul Heyman. Tessitore said the evening would start with a “celebratory Wiseman.” He said Heyman had a hop in his step.
-A video recap aired of Raw on Netflix. They played clips of the celebrities and big names of the past, then C.M. Punk beating Seth Rollins, and finally Roman Reigns beating Solo Sikoa and then Rock presenting him with the belt.
-Heyman entered the ring without any music, but with cheers ringing out. Heyman said there comes a time in everyone’s career where you cannot wait to walk down the aisle, stand in the middle of the ring, and address “the entire Island of Relevancy.” He said tonight is one of those nights. (His mic briefly began echoing.) He said there is just one reigning, defending, undisputed Tribal Chief of the WWE Universe and the entire Island of Relevancy – Roman Reigns” Fans chanted OTC!”
He said “our Tribal Chief has authorized me to let all of you know what he intends to accomplish next.” He said he’s not just going to share it with everyone at home and everyone in Portland, but also with one man in particular who deserves to hear the news face-to-face. He introduced Cody Rhodes. He invited Cody to the ring.
Cody made his entrance to his theme. Heyman offered a handshake. Cody shook his hand. Heyman smiled and said some niceties. Cody seemed somewhat guarded. Heyman told Cody he deserves every bit of that response “and a whole lot more.” He said he has done something very few have done, earning the respect of Roman. He said he is a credit to WWE in its entirety. He said because he is such a great champion, Reigns has told him that now that he has won back the ula fala, he “wants his title back.” Cody looked at his belt over his shoulder. Heyman said so there are no surprises, he wants Cody to know how Reigns’ going to get his title back. He said it’s not a prediction, it’s a spoiler.
He said Roman is entering the 2025 Royal Rumble with full intentions of winning and wrestling Cody at WrestleMania once again for the championship. “So, respectfully, with that in mind, Cody Rhodes, what do you want to talk about?” Cody held up his title.
Kevin Owens, from the arena concourse tunnel, “Do you know what I want to talk about?” He said just when he didn’t think it could get worse, it did get worse because Cody shook hands with The Rock on Raw. “Why, because he kissed your ass and and rubbed your ego? And now you shake hands with Paul Heyman? And what happens? Thirty seconds after you shake hands, he looks you in the eyes and says he wants his title back.” He said it’s Cody’s fault because he should have left Reigns to get ripped to shreds by The Bloodline. “Now look at what happens?” he said. He said Cody is hurting the entire company. Cody charged out of the ring and met KO on the steps and they exchanged wild swings. Barrett said Cody’s eyes were bulging out.
Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga entered the ring and cornered Heyman. Jimmy Uso ran out to his music to come to Heyman’s aid. He superkicked Jacob Fatu and Tama, then landed hip attacks on both of them in opposite corners. He grabbed a chair and bashed Tama and Fatu across their backs. Fatu, though, recovered and charged into Jimmy. Tama stomped away at him in the corner of the ring. They put a chair around his head and neck. A referee entered, but Fatu superkicked him. Tama and Fatu shoved the chair into his neck. Agents ran to the ring. Fatu kicked Kenny Dykstra. Cody returned to the ring and tossed Tama out of the ring. Fatu then charged, but Cody ducked and punched away at him. Cody clotheslined Fatu over the top rope to the floor.
(Keller’s Analysis: There are a lot of moving parts and possibility for who could win the Royal Rumble this year and how things will shake out with WrestleMania’s top matches. This didn’t add clarity but did confirm possibilities. Cody, Heyman, and KO were all strong here in their performances, all true to their characters. I think most people are going to be looking at the path from Rumble to Mania figuring out ways for Cody and Reigns to not end up facing each other yet again.) [c]
-Fatu yelled at backstage workers and told one of them he “think about his life right now.” L.A. Knight charged at him and knocked him out of the arena and locked him out. He turned and told Nick Aldis he had a title to go win.
(Keller’s Analysis: Sure seems as if Fatu will be costing Knight the match later or attacking him afterward.)
(1) CHELSEA GREEN (w/Piper Niven) vs. MICHIN – Women’s U.S. Title match
Niven came out in a glittery outfit, looking very glammed up. The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 1:00 with Green in control at ringside. [c/db]
Green dominated during the break. Michin took over and landed a cannonball and scored a two count afterward. Tessitore noted Michin has never won a major title on the main roster and this is her fourth attempt. Michin rolled Green to the corner and was going to climb to the top rope when Niven tried to trip her. Michin flip-dove onto Niven at ringside and then leaped off the top rope and landed a crossbody block. Green rolled through and yanked on the tights for the win.
WINNER: Green in 8:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
-As Michin went after Green after the bell, Niven attacked her. Green and Niven retreated, all smiles.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside. Tessitore said apparently the transfer window applied to announcers, too. He said one of the great benefits of being there is they get to broadcast the men’s tag team division. They aired a clip from last week’s show of Pretty Deadly getting involved with the Motor City Machine Guns and DIY leading to a no contest and thus DIY retained the titles.
-Backstage, the MCMGs argued with Pretty Deadly and Angel Garza & Humberto with Aldis in the middle. Austin Theory and Greyson Waller then interjected themselves. Aldis said Angel & Humberto would wrestle Pretty Deadly. He told Theory & Waller they’d face the MCMGs also. He warned Waller not to interrupt him again.
-Los Garza made their entrance. [c]
(2) LOS GARZA (Humberto & Angel Garza w/Santos Escobar, Electra Lopez) vs. PRETTY DEADLY (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson)
The bell rang 43 minutes into the hour. Barrett said he chatted with Pretty Deadly earlier and they’re feeling confident about how things will go in the next few weeks now that DIY owe them a favor. Prince yanked Humberto over the top rope from the outside by his neck at 2:00. They cut to a break. [c/db]
Humberto hot-tagged in Angel after the break. Prince yelled for DIY to help them. Angel kicked him and scored a two count. Barrett said Pretty Deadly might need a Plan B if they were counting on DIY. Prince interfered and tagged in. Santos knocked Prince off balance on the top rope as Elektra distracted the ref. Angel and Humberto landed their double-team slam for the win.
WINNERS: Angel & Humberto in 9:00.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore.
(Keller’s Analysis: Tessitore is doing a great job overall, but he still appears to be reading a script in front of him as he comments on matches. It’s one thing when it’s a promotional spot, but it another when he is reacting to a match with “his thoughts.” He also still sometimes has the tone and cadence of someone reading a children’s book to a kindergarten class.”)
-L.A. Knight made his ring entrance. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
(3) SHINSUKE NAKAMURA vs. L.A. KNIGHT – U.S. Title match
Nakamura’s ring entrance aired. They replayed what happened last week to set up this match. The bell rang 2 minutes into the hour. Barrett said Knight doesn’t look right without gold around his waist. Tessitore said he is fascinated by rematches because he’s always curious how wrestlers with show what they learned from prior battles. Nakamura rolled to the ring apron and then upkicked Knight when Knight reached for him. He then kneed him from ringside. They battled back and forth in the ring and back at ringside. Tessitore talked about the sturdier desks they sit at. Nakamura rammed Knight into the ringpost and leaned back to assess the scene as they cut to a break at 4:00. [c/db]
Knight rallied after the break and landed a leaping elbow for a two count. A graphic hyped a replay of NXT New Year’s Evil on The CW on Saturday night. They battled back and forth for a few minutes. Nakamura removed a middle turnbuckle pad, but Knight moved when Nakamura charged. He hit a BFT. Jacob Fatu and Tama Tanga ran through the crowd and attacked Knight. Tessitore lamented the interference “in such a magnificent championship match.” (Where was that outcry last week when Stratton screwed Naomi en route to beating Nia Jax?)
WINNER: No contest in 14:00.
-As Fatu and Tama attacked Knight, Cody and Jimmy ran out for the save. Cody told Aldis not to send them home. He yelled that he and Jimmy are there, and Fatu and Tama are there, “so let’s do this tonight!” Aldis thought about it for a few seconds, then booked it. Tessitore said, “Are you kidding me?” Barrett said, “If you like carnage, you have come to the right place.” [c]
-Tessitore plugged tickets for WWE Vengeance Day on Feb. 15.
(Keller’s Analysis: It’s notable they are labeling it a WWE event, not an NXT event, when pitching ticket sales.)
-A video package aired on last week’s Tiffany Stratton interference in the Nia Jax vs. Naomi match, including shoving the referee and Cole exclaiming, “Tiffany, what the hell was that?” And then Tiffany costing Naomi the match before blindsiding Jax to cash in her briefcase. They showed people on live streams reacting with shock on split-screen. They showed Tiffany throwing Bianca Belair over the announce desk and then cashing in and pinning Jax to win the title with fans in the arena popping and live streamers shown cheering. Barrett said the whole world was feeling the same way after that.
-The MCMG’s ring entrance took place. [c]
(4) MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. GREYSON WALLER & AUSTIN THEORY
The bell rang 33 minutes into the second hour. At 3:00, Theory tripped Sabin running the ropes and yanked him to ringside. Waller then delivered a rolling flatliner to Shelley for a two count. They cut to a break at 4:00. [c/db]
Theory was in control of Shelley after the break. He settled into a chinlock. Sabin eventually hot-tagged in and went after Waller with a flurry of offense. Sabin dove through the ropes onto Waller and Theory at ringside. Shelley and Sabin then delivered a double-team move to Waller for a near fall.
Sabin cut short a rally by Waller at ringside. Theory cut him off back in the ring. He and Waller then delivered double lift-and-drop stereo punches for a two count. Sabin rolled up Waller, but Theory intervened. All four ended up down on the mat. Sabin and Shelly delivered a double-team move on Waller at 12:00, then finished Theory with Skull & Bones for the win.
WINNERS: MCMGs in 13:00.
-They cut to DIY reacting with disgust after watching the match backstage on a monitor. Pretty Deadly asked DIY where they were. Tommaso Ciampa said he didn’t want their help. Johnny Gargano said they have a lot of heat right now. Gargano called Kit “Kip.” Kit took exception. Gargano said he of course knows his name. He assured them they’ve got their backs and trust them. Apollo Crews walked up and told Pretty Deadly if they’re dumb enough to believe what DIY say, they deserve what they get.
-They cut backstage to Nia Jax and Candice LeRae. LeRae said she just saw that Tiffany was heading to the ring. Jax said she was going to head to the ring to congratulate Tiffany herself. [c]
-Tiffany Stratton made her ring entrance. Tessitore said she signed with Smackdown 11 months ago “and it was seven days ago she pulled off the shocker and she played it perfectly” by cashing in on Nia Jax. Barrett said the women have a 100 percent cash-in success rate.
Byron Saxton said she shocked the world when she cashed in and became the new WWE Women’s Champion. He congratulated her. “It’s Tiffy Time!” she yelled. She said it was quite a “Tiffy turn of events.” She said she debuted on Smackdown a year ago and then quickly won MITV. She said she is already better than all of their favorites at just 25 and she is their new champion. Saxton said she and Nia Jax were best of friends until last week. He said she bullied her for a long time. Tiffany said she got Jax to trust her. She said Jax thinks she’s stupid, “but who’s the stupid one now.” She said she let her think she was just a dumb blond. She said she let her guard down, so she stole her most prized possession, the WWE Women’s Championship. She said she is at the Tiffy Top of her game. “Without further adieu, put some respect on my name and tell me what time it is!” Jax’s music played.
Jax walked out, looking grumpy and vengeful. “You ungrateful little shit,” Jax said, getting bleeped. She said, “Tiffy, right now, I could kill you.” She said she would be nothing without her. “I made you!” she said. She congratulated her on rubbing two brain cells together to come up with that plan. “It took you long enough,” she said as she walked to the ring. She said now she’s having her moment.
She entered the ring. Fans chanted, “Tiffy Time!” Jax said, “Time’s up.” She said either she gives her her championship back or she’s going to take it from her. She walked up to Tiffany’s face. At that point, Bayley’s music played. She walked out with a mic in hand.
[HOUR THREE]
Bayley told Jax shut the hell up. She told Tiffany that if that was her plan all along, she got her because she thought she was stupid. She told Jax she knows she’s stupid. She said she made Tiffany and put her under her ring, yet she still outsmarted her. She cackle-laughed at her own comment. She entered the ring and told Tiffany that she thinks it’s her moment of glory, but she wanted to remind her that the only reason Jax held the title is because of her help at Summerslam, and that’s the only reason Nia kept her around. She said it’s only fitting that she’s the one to take it from her. Naomi then walked out with Bianca Belair.
“Eh eh,” said Naomi. She waved at the fans and said, “Hey y’all.” She said she had Jax beat last week, so if it wasn’t for Tiffany, she’d be holding two titles. She said if anybody should be fighting Tiffany for the title, “you have to see me first.” Jax said nobody cares about her. Belair stepped between Naomi and Jax. Jax headbutted Naomi and Belair. Bayley interjected herself, but Jax headbutted her. Naomi and Belair then attacked Jax. Tiffany landed a springboard moonsault press onto the crowd brawling mid-ring, then left.
Aldis walked out and booked everyone left in the ring in a Fatal Four-way to determine the no. 1 contender.
(Keller’s Analysis: As expected, some cheers for Tiffany, but also a sense that they weren’t sure about her yet despite months of anticipation for her turning on Jax. I’m glad Naomi spoke up for herself, but it’s still a bad look that the announcers are acting totally okay with how Tiffany cost Naomi a match in progress in order to carry out a selfish plan to double-cross Jax. Tiffany bragging that she beat all of the fans’ favorite wrestlers indicates she’s not going full babyface despite fans delighting last week in her clever cash-in.) [c]
(5) NAOMI vs. BIANCA BELAIR vs. NIA JAX vs. BAYLEY – No. 1 Contendership match
Tessitore said Raw’s debut on Netflix was the no. 1 show on Netflix on Monday and also on Tuesday globally. He also touted that NXT on Tuesday drew nearly a million live viewers. Tessitore said Naomi felt she was in prime position to beat Jax, but then Tiffany got involved. He did judge Tiffany’s actions or seem sympathetic to Naomi but was just reciting what happened. Barrett said people have underestimated Tiffany because of her looks. The bell rang 7 minutes into the hour.
Naomi scored a two count on Bayley at 3:00. Jax yanked Bayley to ringside and threw her into the barricade. Jax went after Naomi in the ring, but Naomi landed a jaw-jacker. Jax caught Naomi and powerbombed her for a two count, broken up by Belair with force. Jax landed a powerbomb on Belair and scored a two count, broken up by Bayley. Bayley yelled at Jax afterward and then landed a German suplex for a two count. Bayley climbed to the top rope, but Jax stood and headbutted her. She then set up a Samoan Drop off the top rope. Belair and Naomi powerbombed Jax and Bayley to the mat. With all four down, they cut to a break at 6:00. [c]
Jax slammed Naomi to the mat after the break, but Bayley and Belair broke up the cover. Bayley and Belair knocked Jax through the ropes to the floor. Bayley and Belair then battled in the ring. Belair set up a KOD, but Bayley slipped free. She rolled up BVelair for a two count. Jax entered and knocked both Bayley and Belair down at 16:00. Naomi hit Jax with a Russian leg sweep and then she landed a split-legged moonsault for a near fall. Belair landed a 450 splash on Jax, but Bayley yanked her off of the cover. LeRae ran to ringside and got the attention of Belair and Bayley. She ran around the ring to check on Jax. Naomi and Belair went after Bayley with double-team moves.
Belair and Naomi smiled and faced off with Bayley and Jax at ringside. Belair leaped onto Bayley on one side of the ring as Naomi leaped at Jax on the other side of the ring. Jax caught Naomi and slammed her hard into the ring apron. Back in the ring, Belair speared Jax, but Bayley broke up the cover at two. She gave Belair a Bayley-to-Belly, but Naomi interrupted the cover. Naomi landed a Rear View on Bayley, but Jax broke up the cover. Jax then landed a Samoan Drop on Naomi, but Belair broke up the cover at 15:00. Tessitore touted a crowd of 10,000 as they went to a wide shot of the ring and entrance stage in the background.
Bayley kneed Naomi, but Belair slammed Bayley and then landed a handspring moonsault for a two count. Barrett touted the cardio ability of everyone in the match. Belair set up a KOD on Bayley, but LeRae yanked on Belair’s braid. Belair yanked it out of her hands, but in the process whipped Naomi with it. At ringside, Belair tackled Jax over the announce desk. Bayley then gave Naomi a Rose Plant for the win. “What a match that was,” said Tessitore.
WINNER: Bayley in 17:00 to become no. 1 contender to Tiffany.
-Jimmy talked with Cody backstage about Roman declaring he is aiming for him. Cody said he knew Roman was coming. He said they have to focus on tonight. Cody walked away. Carmelo Hayes approached Jimmy and said he’ll let last week slide, but he and Solo Sikoa are tapped in, and if he tries it again, he’ll end up like Braun Strowman. He said he always says Melo Don’t Miss, “but with all those bricks, he could build a damn house.” He “Yeet’d” him with his arm gesture and left. [c]
-They showed an aerial view of Portland.
-They showed fans holding up signs in the crowd. Nothing special this week for Barrett and Tessitore to react to.
-Saxton interviewed Bayley backstage about her win. He said they just learned her match against Stratton will take place next week. Bayley said her whole career is about taking advantage of opportunities. She said she has known wrestlers like Tiffany and she’s wrested her before and Tiffany has never defeated her.
-Barrett hyped Tiffany vs. Bayley next week in a title match. Tessitore hyped MCMG vs. Los Garza. Barrett said Solo would return next week after the worst week of his life this week. He wondered what was next.
-They went to Fatu and Tama backstage. Fatu was yelling threats and suggested Cody “wake your ass up because your nightmare is here.” They made their ring entrance. [c]
-Tessitore and Barrett hyped the Cody vs. KO match at the Royal Rumble.
(6) CODY RHODES & JIMMY USO vs. JACOB FATU & TAMA TONGA
Jimmy made his ring entrance. Then Jimmy. The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. Barrett questioned Cody wanting this match. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Fatu beat up Jimmy after the break for an extended stretch. Cody eventually got the tag and rallied. Jimmy landed a top rope splash on Tama and then Cody landed a Cody Cutter. Jimmy knocked Fatu over the announce desk. KO came down the aisle. Cody went after him and brawled up to the entrance stage and to the back. That left Jimmy alone as he fended off Tama and then tackled him. Jimmy landed an Uso Splash off the top rope, but Fatu yanked him out of the ring by his boot. Fatu rammed Jimmy into the announce desk a few times. Barrett said their new metal table hasn’t budged all night. Fatu then landed a top rope moonsault on Jimmy for the win. Tessitore said Jimmy was left all alone and Fatu took advantage.
WINNERS: Fatu & Tama in 14:00.
-They cut backstage to Cody and KO brawling. They made their way through the technical area. KO threw Cody onto some crates and then set up a move off the crates through two folding tables. Cody fought back and knocked KO through the two tables and he crashed on top of KO. Both were down, wincing in pain. A “Cody!” chant rang out as Tessitore plugged the Rumble in three weeks.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Kurt Cadetto review Smackdown LIVE. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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