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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
FEBRUARY 7, 2025
MEMPHIS, TENN. AT FEDEX FORUM
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Hosts: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 8,310 tickets had been distributed earlier this week. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They showed an aerial shot of Memphis, Tenn. He said it’s a place that helped shape pro wrestling with fans “as good as any you’ll find.” Then they showed the exterior of the arena from above with fans filing in. Then they showed L.A. Knight arriving at the arena, followed by Drew McIntyre and then Jimmy Uso, the three men in an Elimination Chamber Qualifying match. Then they showed Charlotte Flair arriving.
-A video package aired on the Royal Rumble with highlights of the show and live streamers reacting.
-They went to Jey Uso in the concourse amongst fans. He then made his ring entrance. Ten minutes into the show, Jey finally spoke and said hello to Memphis. He said he had a hell of a week and got a lot of love from from family, a friend, and the fans. Fans chanted, “You deserve it!” He said he has to pick a world champion to face at WrestleMania. He said he talked to Gunther on Raw, so it made sense to talk to the WWE Champion on Smackdown. He asked Memphis to help him “welcome my dawg, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.” Cody made his ring entrance. Tessitore said there’s shared history between them, but would they face each other donw the road.
Cody said he thinks he knows what Memphis and “Main Event Jey Uso” want to talk about. Jey said he has two choices. He said it’d mean a lot to stand across from him at WrestleMania, or he could stand next to him as still WWE Champ and him new World Heavyweight Champion. “Quite the choice to make,” Cody said. He said he spoke to his doctor last week about the ladder match who told him he has a hip out of alignment and lower back issues and fluid that needs to be drained from his elbow. He said one thing he left out is a good diagnosis of how full his heart is and how proud he is of Jey winning the Rumble.
Cody said he knows it’s Jey’s choice, but that WrestleMania sign is his sign to point at. “This is your WrestleMania, Jey.” He said they’ve had good moments in the ring including winning tag team gold and had a libation of two. He said the arena is right off Beale Street and they could do it all again. He said as much as Jey has the choice, he has to go to WrestleMania, and for his title reign to be complete, he has to win. He said if he chooses him, tonight they should have fun because it’ll be the last time. “Feel me, sir?” he said. Jey shook his hand. Jacob Fatu’s music played.
Fatu and Tama Tonga made their entrance. Fatu told Cody that last year he took the title from his family, and now his family needs the title back. Fatu told Jey that if there is anyone who will bring belt back to the family,” it sure the hell wouldn’t be your ass.” Jey superkicked Tonga when he saw him move toward him. Fatu kicked Jey. Cody punched Fatu. Fatu attacked Cody’s arm. Cody clutched his left elbow in pain. Jey kicked Fatu and Cody hit a Cody Cutter. Then they clotheslined Fatu over the top rope to the floor. Jey’s music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment that checked the boxes of Cody addressing Jey’s potential of choosing him, plus set up a tag match between those four with Jey and Cody teaming despite the potential of a WrestleMania match looming.)
-They showed Bianca Belair and Naomi strutting and swaggering backstage. [c]
-Barrett announced Cody & Jey vs. Fatu & Tonga had been booked for the main event tonight.
(1) PIPER NIVEN (w/Chelsea Green) vs. BIANCA BELAIR (w/Naomi) – Elimination Chamber Qualifying match
Niven and Chelsea were in the ring, When Belair and Naomi made their entrance, Tessitore said so many predicted Belair would win the Rumble. The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. They fought at ringside early. Niven rammed Belair into the ring apron and then landed a running senton on the floor. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Niven thwarted Belair’s attempts at comebacks and dominated. Belair eventually hoisted Niven up for a KOD out of the corner and delivered it for the win.
WINNER: Belair in 8:00 to qualify for the Chamber.
-Barrett said Belair joined Liv Morgan as qualified competitors in the Chamber.
-Backstage, Carmelo Hayes entered Aldis’s office and said he wants to be in a Chamber qualifier. Aldis said he got a call from Adam Pearce and he granted a request to face a Raw wrestler tonight because he cost him his spot in the Rumble. In walked Akira Tozawa. Carmelo said he’d love to wrestle him because it’d be a layup. Tozawa yelled, “Airball!” Carmelo didn’t like that and got in his face.
-Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa began their ring entrance. [c]
-A clip aired of Bubba Ray Dudley, Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels on “LFG: Legends & Future Greats, premiering Feb. 16 on A&E. Tessitore called it a must-watch and an awesome show.
-Gargano and Ciampa stood mid-ring and were booed as they bragged about beating the Motor City Machine Guns and proving they are the best tag team in the world. Ciampa said the MCMGs were his favorite tag team 11 years ago. He said they are independent wrestling legends. They implored the audience to stand up and take their hats off and bow their heads in silence. Pretty Deadly interrupted. Ciampa was upset they interrupted a moment of silence. Elton Prince and Kit Wilson said they wanted to remind them of all the help they’ve been to them. Aldis stepped out and said Pretty Deadly don’t deserve a tag title match, but they get a match tonight against DIY and if they win, they get a title match. Gargano said, “Next week!” Aldis said it would be right now. Gargano protested and called it unprofessional of Aldis. [c]
(2) DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) vs. PRETTY DEADLY (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) – Non-Title match
The match began 51 minutes into the hour. Ciampa rolled up Prince, but Wilson kicked Ciampa and then Prince rolled through and scored a leverage three count on Ciampa while holding onto the middle rope for extra leverage.
WINNERS: Pretty Deadly in 3:00 to earn a future title match.
-A clip aired of the return of Alexa Bliss at the Royal Rumble. Tessitore plugged Candice LeRae vs. Bliss. Barrett hyped the men’s three-way match. [c]
-Tessitore plugged WWE’s Topps cards as they showed a bridge in Memphis.
[HOUR TWO]
-The Miz told Andrade he was impressive last week and if they combined Andrade’s potential with his knowledge, they could do great things. Andrade said he learned how to beat him and left. Cody walked up, limping. Miz said the young crop of talent don’t respect them. He said he has Cody’s back. Cody said he doesn’t need him to have his back. Miz said last year the entire world was behind Cody, but this year it’s Jey’s story. He told Cody he knows what his title does to friendships. He asked if he’d still be Jey’s friend if Jey chose him. He said it’d be a hell of a WrestleMania story.
-A clip aired of John Cena announcing he will compete in the Elimination Chamber. He said he feels “that opportunity is earned” after “22 years of service to this company.” He said he’d win his 17th title not to win the title for himself, but earn the right to shake the hand of whomever wins 18.
(Keller’s Analysis: Hopefully booking isn’t so awful every again that anyone ever approaches 18 title reigns. Longer title reigns is the new prestigious metric, thankfully, not losing it a ton of times only to regain it and create a big blur of meaningless short title reigns to increase the total number.)
-Drew made his ring entrance. He said he’s finally back on a brand with a G.M. he actually respects. He said he’s officially back on Smackdown. He said he was tossed out of the Rumble from behind by a coward, he went to the back and was pretty angry and might’ve torn some things up. He said he drove back home and woke up from his big bed in his huge house next to his hot wife and he looked in the mirror and said, “Man, you’re jacked and handsome, Drew, so why are you so angry all the time.” He said he was a product of his environment. He said Raw was a toxic workplace. He said Adam Pearce has no idea what he’s doing. He said he needed a solution. He said he talked to Aldis, whom he’s known since he was a teenager, and he told him he could come to Smackdown and be himself 100 percent. He said he’s on Smackdown to win the WWE Championship from Cody. He was interrupted by Jimmy Uso.
Jimmy said, “Tell me it ain’t just me.” He said every week, Drew comes out and is living in the past, sounding like an ex-girlfriend. He said nobody stole anything from him, but rather he just lost. He said Drew is standing there like he doesn’t have to earn his spot. He said he has to get through him and L.A. Knight. Jimmy said he’s there to earn his spot. Drew said a couple weeks ago, he’d have been mad at what he just said. He on purpose “mistakenly” referred to him as Jey. He said after 20 years he still can’t tell them apart. He said he must be jealous of Jey. He said if only he said “Yeet!” first.
Jimmy said he can “Yeet!” Or “Not Yeet!” The crowd said it along with him. He said he is going to punch his ticket and go to Vegas and cash in his chips. He said if Drew wants to go to WM, he has to go through him first. He told Drew he’s not living in the past, but he’s living in the present, ready to kick his ass. Knight’s music then played.
Knight walked out, mic in hand. He said he doesn’t have any love for Jimmy because he was the main reason he didn’t become champion a little over a year ago. He said he wants to be someone who makes a difference before he dies. He looked into the camera and said if something happens in your life and you need to cry, just let it cry. He said it’s good for your mental healthy and doesn’t make you less of a man. He said there is a line that is too far. He said there are three guarantees which is death, taxes, and Drew crying like a baby. He said he thought he heard someone call him “Drew McIncryer.” Drew rolled his eyes.
Knight said he wants to give both of them something to really cry about. He said, “Oh wait, I forgot to get my stuff in.” He asked who’s game it is. Then said “Yeah!”
(Keller’s Analysis: That was fun. All three were good on the mic and set up the match nicely. I enjoy Drew’s public therapy sessions where he reframes and rationalizes how he’s feeling and when he’s deciding to try to move on.) [c]
(3) DREW MCINTYRE vs. JIMMY USO vs. L.A. KNIGHT – Elimination Chamber Qualifying match
The match was joined in progress 15 minutes into the hour. They took turns on offense. At 3:00, Drew tossed both of them around methodically. The action went to ringside where Knight rammed Drew’s head into the announce desk. When Jimmy intervened, Knight rammed his head into the desk several times. They cut to a double-box break with Knight looking strong. [c/db]
Knight leaped onto the top rope and superplexed Jimmy as Drew was hanging upside down and he added extra momentum by sitting up and pulling Knight down with extra force. Knight landed a top rope elbowdrop for a near fall, broken up by Jimmy. Drew countered a BFT with a spinebuster for near fall at 11:00. Jimmy superkicked a charging Drew and clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor. Jimmy and Knight battled next. Jimmy landed a superkick and then landed a top rope splash. Drew yanked the ref out the ring during the ref’s count (which is legal because there are three people, not two, in this match, therefore there are NO RULES, of course). Jimmy and Drew battled on the ring apron. Jimmy snapped Drew’s neck over the top rope.
Jimmy leaped off the top rope, but Knight lifted his knees and wrapped up Jimmy for a near fall. Drew then gave Knight a Claymore from behind as Knight was setting up the BFT, and Drew then scored a three count.
WINNER: McIntyre in roughly 14:00 to qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
-Byron Saxton interviewed Damien Priest backstage about Drew’s win. Priest said Drew was having a great day, and if he wasn’t, he’d be complaining about it on the Internet by now. He said he’s in the Chamber and he wants to eliminate him from that match just like he did the Rumble. Braun Strowman walked in and said he’s putting the carriage in front of the horses. He said he has to qualify first, and that means getting past him and Jacob Fatu next week. Priest said they’ll both have their WrestleMania moments, but he’s beating them next week so he can go face the current champion. Braun said he’ll be in the ring with a monster. Priest said he’s not overlooking anything. [c]
-An aerial shot aired of Las Vega as Tessitore plugged WrestleMania.
-A video package aired on the C.M. Punk win over Sami Zayn on Raw on Netflix on Monday and then Kevin Owens giving Sami a package piledriver. They added dramatic, ominous music and fan reactions as Sami was strapped to a backbrace and wheeled out.
-A solemn-sounding KO spoke from his car. He said he and Sami have been through a lot. He said he’s feeling a lot of pain in his neck and spine that probably won’t go away completely ever. He said it’s all Sami’s fault. He said Sami stood there and watched while Cody tried to end his career. He said then he watched the Rumble and there was Sami rushing to the aid to Roman Reigns because someone was beating him up in the corner. His voice quivered as he said Sami did nothing for him. He said he’s a horrible friend and disgusting human being. He said he’d never forgive him and make him pay.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett. Tessitore said Sami is out indefinitely, dealing with spinal compression and extreme nerve damage.
-Tessitore and Barrett commented on a clip of Bron Breakker spearing iShowSpeed at the Rumble and then touting the number of social media views for the clip.
(4) AKIRA TOZAWA vs. CARMELO HAYES – A Match You’d Likely Never See if Smackdown Were Still Two Hours
During Tozasa’s ring entrance, Tessitore called him “incredibly likable and well-respected.” Carmelo spoke on the mic on his way to the ring. He said he knows when he talks about air balls, he’s not talking about him, but rather Cody when he’s left in the dryer too long. He said when he shoots, he doesn’t miss. He said the difference between him and Ja Morant, if there was an all-star team, he’d be selected. Tozawa went after Carmelo at ringside before the bell.
Tozawa threw Carmelo into the ring. The ref checked on Carmelo and then called for the bell 42 minutes into the hour. When Tozawa charged, Carmelo knocked him down. Tozawa fought back and landed a slingshot crossbody on Carmelo. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Carmelo had Tozawa grounded after the break. Tozawa made a comeback and played to the crowd before climbing to the top rope. Barrett said Tozawa sometimes gets overly enthusiastic and bites off more than he can chew. Carmelo met him up top, but Tozawa fought back and landed a sunset bomb for a near fall at 7:00.
Carmelo landed a leaping DDT a minute later and then leaped off the top rope and landed a legdrop to the back of Tozawa’s neck for the win. Barrett said, “Not an airball in sight.” Carmelo gloated afterward.
WINNER: Carmelo in 8:00.
-A brief video package aired on Seth Rollins’s stomps on Reigns and Reigns being helped up afterward.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside. Tessitore said the status of Reigns is up for speculation. Tessitore said they reached out to Paul Heyman multiple times during the week and have yet to get a reply. [f]
-They showed another aerial shot of Memphis as Tessitore touted how many big WWE events have been there.
-They showed Jerry Lawler at ringside watching the event.
-Backstage, R-Truth told an ailing Tozawa that his childhood friend John Cena told him to never give up. He dropped him as soon as he saw Jey Uso. He went over and hugged Jey. He said he’s always seen Jey as a king, and now he is King of the Ring. Jey told him to check on his boy, Tozawa. Truth said he peed on himself. Cody walked up to Jey and asked how he’s feeling about WrestleMania. Jey said he’d like to go face-to-face with him, but he’s got a personal beef with Gunther, so he’s undecided. Cody pierced his lips as Jey walked away.
[HOUR THREE]
-Charlotte Flair made her ring entrance. A ring attendance opened the ropes for Charlotte (an improvement over the referees doing it, which always felt wrong). Barrett said she says she is the greatest female competitor of all-time and can make a strong case. She said, “Hi, Memphis.” She asked if they love her or hate her. She said when they boo, she hears “money.” She said fans can’t make up their minds, but that’s okay because she lives rent-free in their minds. She said she’s wrestling’s obsession because they’re obsessed with her looks, her championships, and her last name. She said they think that she thinks she’s better than everyone because her last name is Flair. She said that’s not the only reason she thinks she’s better than everyone. She said she wasn’t going to be gone for 14 months and come back and not win the Rumble and not make history.
Charlotte said she beat 29 not-serious women and won the match and punched her ticket to WrestleMania. She pointed at the sign. She said she wanted to feel inspired, so she went to Raw and NXT to see if Rhea Ripley or Giulia would inspire her. She said she is on Smackdown to see Tiffany. Tiffany’s Stratton’s theme played.
Tiffany walked out, holding the WWE Title belt over her head. Tiffany entered the ring and congratulated her. She said no one is a bigger Charlotte fan than she is. She said she didn’t think WWE could survive without her. “Then you got injured and everybody cared for like a day.” She said then she came along and tickets sales have been better than ever. Charlotte asked, “Did you say something? Sweetheart, you speak when I say you can speak.”
Tiffany said people have called her a Charlotte wannabe or the next Charlotte. She told her to choose her so she can beat her and no longer be the next Charlotte, but she can be the one and only Tiffany Stratton. Fans chanted, “Tiffy Time!” Charlotte said when she stood in the ring with Ripley, she saw a kid, and when she stands in the ring with Tiffany, she sees a child begging her to make her a star at WrestleMania. She told Tiffany to get on her hands and knees and beg her to choose her.
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae walked out. Jax said, “Now this blondie back and forth is really cute, but it’s a little premature.” LeRae said Jax is going to be champion again. Jax said she talked to Aldis and instead of facing five women at the Chamber, she only has to face one next week. She entered the ring and announced she is going to face Tiffany next week for the title. Charlotte said this just got interesting, so she’s going to stop by again next week to see what happens.
Alexa Bliss walked out next. She had her scary doll with her. Tessitore hyped that Bliss would face LeRae next. [c]
(5) ALEXA BLISS vs. CANDICE LERAE – Elimination Chamber Qualifying match
The match began 13 minutes into the hour. Tessitore noted Bliss’s last singles match was Jan. 28, 2023. Barrett said you get ring rust after two months and that no matter how much you are on the treadmill, you can’t replicate being in the ring. At 4:00, LeRae rolled out of the ring to avoid a top rope move by Bliss. She then leaped to the ring apron and went after LeRae, but LeRae face-planted Bliss on the apron. Bliss fell to the floor and they cut to a break. [c]
Back from the break, Bliss delivered her Abigail DDT for the win.
WINNER: Bliss in 11:00 to qualify for the Chamber.
-Saxton interviewed Chelsea with Niven. Chelsea said she’s going to beat Naomi and then she’s beat all the nasty women in the Chamber and then she and her secret service and motorcade will sail off into the sunset that is WrestleMania where she’ll become a double-champ. B-Fab and Michin told her that she might make it to the Chamber, but she might not be champion. She told her to stop stalling because they all know the inevitable. Chesea called her “a nasty little girl.” In walked Zelina Vega who said she wants a chance at Chelsea’s title. Niven asked, “How many people hate you?”
(Keller’s Analysis: Niven and Chelsea are so entertaining playing off of each other. Niven’s facial expressions are tremendous!)
-Tessitore plugged the main event tag. [c]
-Tessitore recapped the match results so far on Smackdown. Then they showed fan signs.
-A vignette aired with The Street Profits who were unapologetic about what they did in the Royal Rumble tag match. Angelo Dawkins said DIY’s time is limited. Montez Ford said he loves his passion. He said they’ve officially pissed off The Street Profits. He said they’ve always been together and are going to stay together. “God have mercy on your souls because we want the smoke,” he said.
(Keller’s Analysis: I like the new presentation of the Profits here.)
-Saxton asked the MCMGs if they’ve had time to process what the Profits did. Alex Shelley said they want them in the ring. Chris Sabin said that was the biggest match of their careers. Angelo & Humberto walked in and told them to stop complaining because they just lost. They argued. Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez walked in. Escobar said the Profits started the whole mess by attacking them for no reason, so he understands their frustration. He said if they’re looking for a fight, they’ve got it so be prepared next week.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside who plugged Smackdown in D.C. next week. They plugged the line-up: Tiffany vs. Jax, Green vs. Naomi in a qualifier, and Priest vs. Fatu vs. Braun. Barrett called it “a match made in meaty hell.”
-A video package previewed that men’s three-way next week.
-Jey Uso made his ring entrance. [c]
(6) JEY USO & CODY RHODES vs. JACOB FATU & TAMA TONGA
The bell rang 48 minutes into the hour. Barrett said Cody and Jey have put themselves in a world of danger by taking on this match. Fatu took early control and they cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Cody fought back against Tama after the break and leaped to hot-tag in Jey. Jey punched away at Tama. Fatu took over. When Cody tagged in, he avoided a charging Fatu and then landed a Cody Cutter but only scored a one point. Barrett said that kickout at one was just incredible.
Tama rolled up Cody from behind and then landed a sliding flatliner for a near fall at 9:00. When Cody climbed to the top rope, Fatu knocked him down. Fatu then landed a jumping DDT for a near fall. Fatu entered and superkicked Cody as Tama held him. As he ran the ropes, Jey tripped him. Jey superkicked Fatu at ringside. Jey dove through the ropes and knocked Fatu over the announce desk. Cody then ducked a Tama swing and delivered CrossRhodes for the win. “Yes!” cried out Tessitore.
WINNERS: Cody & Jey in 11:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Solid formula tag match including the expected wrestler getting pinned in the end.)
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.
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