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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2025
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. AT PECHANGA ARENA
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as of show time 11,267 tickets had been distributed. The arena has a capacity of 16,100 spectators when configured for boxing.
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[HOUR ONE]
-After the Triple H-narrated “Then, Now, Forever, Together,” they cut to the arena. Joe Tessitore said it was a sold out arena. He plugged that Tiffany Stratton would be there. Tessitore and Wade Barrett walked through the concourse of the arena as fans cheered. “Of, if these walls could talk,” said Tessitore. He touted the big names who had appeared in that arena since it opened in 1966 from Muhammad Ali to Jimi Hendrix to Jon Jones to Bad Bunny. They walked among the fans toward the announce desk. They showed Tiffany arriving earlier as they hyped her first title defense later against Bayley. They showed Bayley arriving. Then they showed Jimmy Uso arriving in the parking lot earlier and Carmelo Hayes walking down a flight of stairs in the arena. Back live, Tessitore said the wrestler most deserving of opening the show is Rey Mysterio. Barrett touted him as “the home town Hall of Famer.”
(Keller’s Analysis: I love that opening. They’re in an older building – which I assume survived this long because San Diego hasn’t had an NBA or NHL team demanding to tear it down to build a more modern arena with luxury suites – and they embraced and celebrated it. I’m jealous because it reminds me of the old Minnesota North Stars home, the Met Sports Center, which opened in 1967 and it’d be great if that venue survived as long as Pechanga Arena. Having Tessitore and Barrett walk through the arena concourse into the crowd was a novel touch. It not only was cool, but it sends a clear message they’re not just phoning in these Smackdown’s on USA Network.)
-Rey Mysterio made his entrance. Fans chanted “619!” He greeted the crowd and said it felt great to be back home. He noted that his daughter was in the front row. He then announced that he was officially entering himself into this year’s Royal Rumble. He said he is getting ready to “do the impossible once again.” He talked about the time he won the Rumble and then went on to win the World Title at WrestleMania 22. He said the competition is heavy this year and he wants to be realistic. He mentioned Drew McIntyre, C.M. Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and John Cena. “It’s going to be tough,” he said. He said back in 2006 when he won the Rumble, he did it for a friend they all know and love. Fans chanted, “Eddie! Eddie!” Kevin Owens’s music interrupted.
KO walked out as Tessitore said this is the second week he hijacked the opening segment. Barrett said he’ll be at the Rumble in a ladder match against Cody Rhodes. KO had the winged eagle belt over his shoulder. His t-shirt said: “Canadian Son of a Security Systems Technician.” KO apologized for interrupting Rey and said he means it. KO said there are a lot of people he respects quite a bit, but few he respects as much as he respects Rey. He upped it to saying he respects Rey more than anyone.
Owens said he has accomplished so many things he dreamed of as a kid including main eventing WrestleMania with Steve Austin and winning the WWE Tag Team Titles “with my then-best friend” at WrestleMania. He said he has won countless titles and now he gets to stand on Smackdown with the championship belt that he watched his idols win as a kid. He raised the belt and said he stands as the rightful WWE Champion. He said there is one thing left to accomplish so his career feels complete, and that is to step into the ring and have a match with Rey. He entered the ring and said he hopes he wins the Rumble. He said he can and will do it. “I can’t wait to see you beat all those other idiots,” he said. He asked Rey to promise him that he’ll be the champion he picks for the WrestleMania match so he can have his dream match against him at WrestleMania.
Rey told him that he is all about challenges and he loves competition, “but you’re not the champion.” KO hung his head. Rey said he meant that will all due respect. He said Cody is the actual champion. He said if he does win the Rumble and KO wins the title, he’ll gladly face him for the title. KO yelled that he is the champion and he earned it and deserves it. He asked what his problem is. He accused Rey of having bleached blonde hair under his mask that has seeped into his brain. “What is this crap!” he yelled. “Are you kidding me?!” Rey asked him to chill. He said he’s so delusional and he reminds him of his son Dominik. Fans laughed. KO took a swing with the belt at Rey. Rey blocked it and then set up a 619, but KO grabbed the belt and scurried away. Barrett said KO merely hijacked the belt and he isn’t actually champion.
-Backstage, Naomi approached Bianca Belair. Belair asked if she had talked with Nick Aldis about any leads on Jade Cargill. Naomi said he had no leads. Belair asked if they are good after what happened last week. Naomi said they are good. She added they’ll get some “get back” later in their tag match.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was some of Belair’s least convincing acting in a backstage segment, especially early where she was speed talking and making cartoon faces as Naomi talked. Geesh.)
-Nia Jax and Candice LeRae made their ring entrance. [c]
-Aldis told Rey he’ll give him a match against KO tonight. Cody Rhodes walked through a doorway and said he saw what happened. He said he was getting his physical to get cleared for tonight or else he would’ve been there for him. Rey said not to worry about it. He told Cody to let KO be his problem tonight, but he promised to leave something for him at the Rumble. Rey told him to heal up. Aldis told Cody to take his advice. Aldis said he has an addendum to the contract for his. match against KO for him and KO to sign. Aldis said he can’t let happen again what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody said he’d sign if after KO does.
(1) NIA JAX & CANDICE LERAE vs. BIANCA BELAIR & NAOMI
Naomi’s ring entrance took place. Belair’s theme then played. They danced together on the stage and made their way to the ring. Tessitore and Barrett talked about Jax not being a fan of Tessitore and displaying her bad mood during the break as she approached Tessitore. The bell rang 24 minutes into the hour.
Jax took early advantage against Naomi. Belair and LeRae tagged in. Belair got the advantage and punched away at LeRae. Barrett said whoever attacked Jade Cargill won’t admit it or they’ll face the wrath of Belair. Belair pressed LeRae above her shoulders and threw her over the top rope onto Jax below at ringside. They cut to an early double-box break. [c/db]
LeRae took control during the break. She held Belair’s braid to prevent her from tagging in Naomi after the break. Jax tagged in instead and continued the attack on Belair. When LeRae tried to interfere, Belair sent her into the ringpost from the ring apron. Jax set up a second rope Samoan Drop, but Belair broke free and landed a top rope crossbody on Jax. Both were down and slow to get up.
Naomi tagged in and landed a split-legged moonsault. LeRae broke up the subsequent cover. Naomi threw LeRae out of the ring and then tagged in Belair. Belair speared Jax, but LeRae had blind-tagged herself in. LeRae landed a basement dropkick to stop Belair from landing her handspring move. Jax landed a senton. LeRae made the cover, but Belair kicked out at two. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”
Belair launched LeRae into the top turnbuckle and then landed her springboard moonsault. Jax tried to legdrop Belair, but Belair moved so Jax legdropped LeRae instead. Belair tagged in Naomi who went after LeRae with a a sitout bomb into a leverage three count.
WINNERS: Belair & Naomi in 11:00.
-Tessitore plugged Jimmy vs. Carmelo and Rey vs. KO and touted the sellout crowd again.
-A commercial hyped “John Cena’s last ride in Toronto” at Elimination Chamber. [c]
-They showed the skyline of San Diego, Calif. as Tessitore said they were in a venue that has been around so long, it had an Elvis performance one day.
-Byron Saxton interviewed Bayley earlier in the empty arena. She said it’s a dream to main event Smackdown in a title match in her home state. She said a year ago, she won the Royal Rumble and had a guaranteed title match at WrestleMania against Iyo Sky. She said she doesn’t know if she fulfilled her potential in that title reign. She said she’s a perfectionist and loves it so much, she feels she was just barely winning her matches. She said her reign was cut short due to Tiffany helping Jax beat her. Clips aired from the Rumble, WrestleMania, and Summerslam. Bayley said she kind of respects that Tiffany turned on her best friend to get to the top, but another part of her wants to beat her that much more. She said tonight it’s personal. Saxton wished her luck.
-Tessitore plugged that match would happen later tonight.
-Michin told B-Fab that the Women’s U.S. Title should have been hers. -B-Fab told her she’ll get another chance. Piper Niven walked in followed by Chelsea Green. Chelsea said she’s the only women to successfully defend the Women’s U.S. Title in history, so they should stand in her presence. B-Fab said without Piper, she’d have never been champion. Piper stood and told her to not to take another step toward the champ or it’ll be her last. B-Fab said she will go talk to Aldis so they can handle things with each other tonight in the ring. Michin enjoyed it.
-They showed Jimmy Uso backstage promoting his match. He said his journey to earning a title match start tonight. The camera followed him through Gorilla onto the stage and then to the ring. [c]
-They showed scenes of San Antonio as Tessitore plugged the Royal Rumble’s Priory Pass.
(2) JIMMY USO vs. CARMELO HAYES
Carmelo walked out with a mic in hand. He said Jimmy is living in the shadow of his brother Jey who is living in the shadow of Roman Reigns. He asked how he’s going to get a shot when he’s relegated to the bench. Tessitore said that Carmelo often says he doesn’t miss, but he has lately when you look at his match results. Jimmy yanked Carmelo into the ring and the ref Charles Robinson rewarded the pre-match attack by calling for the bell 52 minutes into the hour.
Carmelo ducked a superkick and rolled to ringside. Jimmy put on Carmelo’s sunglasses. Barrett said Kobe Bryant missed more shots in the history of the NBA than anyone, so you have to take a lot of shots to make shots. Carmelo re-entered the ring and took control by snapping Jimmy neck over the top rope. A confused fan held up a sign that said, “I’m on Netflix.”
Carmelo stomped away at Jimmy and then chopped him. Tessitore noted that Carmelo had 32 televised matches in 2024, which was among the top ten most in WWE last year. Barrett said you can get guaranteed wins against weak opponent, but Carmelo isn’t facing a weak opponent tonight. Jimmy dove through the ropes and knocked Carmelo into the announce desk. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
The pace was rapid after the break and they exchanged big moves and near falls that the crowd was into. When Jimmy climbed to the top rope, Jacob Fatu showed up and on the opposite side of the ring. Jimmy stopped and stared. Tama Tonga shoved Jimmy from behind. The ref called for the bell.
WINNER: No contest in 12:00.
-Fatu and Tama attacked Jimmy after the bell. Carmelo stood and thanked them. Fatu clotheslined Carmelo. Barrett said he was trying to buddy up to two guys who simply don’t understand the meaning of that word. Fatu landed a hip attack on Jimmy in the corner. Solo Sikoa’s music then played and he walked out. Tessitore said they’d hear from Solo after the break. [c]
-Solo stood in the ring. Tessitore said throughout the break, the boos were so loud, the crowd wasn’t allowing Solo to speak a word. Solo dropped the mic and walked to ringside. He took off his red jacket and left through the crowd. Barrett blamed San Diego for costing them some answers from Solo. Tessitore asked what happened to the proud, boastful Solo. “Sometimes you’re never the same after a loss like that,” he said. Fatu and Tama remained in the ring, watching Solo walk away. Barrett said questions about the group are left hanging.
Fatu picked up the mic as fans sang “Na na na, good bye!” at Solo. Fatu said, “This is what it comes to, huh?” He said he’s tired of the hate and disrespect. He said he doesn’t give a damn if they cheer or boo them. He then said, “Shut the hell up!” (He apparently cares.) The crowd started What’ing him. He asked if they all thought he was crazy. He said the crazy part of this situation is that he’s just getting started. He threw down the mic. L.A. Knight’s music played. He jumped Fatu from behind and then went after Fatu. Barrett asked if Knight was out of his mind. He was soon overwhelmed by the two-on-one advantage Fatu and Tama had. Braun Strowman then came out to his music. Braun entered the circled Fatu. “Yes, please!” exclaimed Barrett. Tama dragged Fatu out out of the ring by his boot. Knight and Braun stood in the ring as Tama held back Fatu.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m intrigued if they’re going to write Solo out for a while based on how that played out. A tag match with those four could be fun. The idea of Fatu vs. Braun popped the crowd.)
-Santos Escobar praised Angel and Humberto for exposing Pretty Deadly last week as the liars they are. Elektra Lopez said one win doesn’t make them champions yet, though. Escobar said they will take the next step tonight against the Motor City Machine Gunns. He said no one is giving them respect, so they have to take it. “That’s what Legado does, okay?” Santos said.
(3) THE MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNNS (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. LOS GARZA (Humberto & Angel Garza)
Tessitore said the MCMGs held the TNA Tag Team Titles three times. He said that group is celebrating an official collaboration with WWE going forward. Barrett said it was industry-changing news. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Tessitore complimented Aldis for how he set up these matches to try to create clarity among top tag teams. They cut to a break at 3:00 with Los Garza in control of Sabin. [c]
The MCMGs took over against Humberto. Shelley put Humberto in a figure-four. Sabin put a figure-four on Angel when Angel tried to interfere. Los Garza took over and landed a double-team move leading to a near fall on Sabin. All four were down and slow to get up. A “This is awesome!” chant rang out. Pretty Deadly came to the ring and changed the course of the match. Humberto ended up rolling up Sabin, but the ref was yelling at Pretty Deadly. Humberto was upset. The MCMGs then finished Humberto with Skull & Bones for the win.
WINNERS: MCMGs in 12:00.
-Aldis approached Owens backstage. He told Owens he has an addendum to the match at the Rumble with Cody. Owens read it and noticed Cody wouldn’t sign it until he signs it. Owens said he won’t sign it until Cody signs it, and he has to read it first anyway, so he told him not to distract him before his match. He walked away. Aldis said to himself, “Well, that went well.”
-Tessitore plugged Rey vs. Owens and Tiffany vs. Bayley.
-Niven and Green made her entrance. [c]
(4) PIPER NIVEN (w/Chelsea Green) vs. B-FAB
B-Fab’s entrance aired after the break. The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. B-Fab knocked Niven off the ring apron to ringside. B-Fab threw Niven into the ring and then shot Green a look. B-Fab heard enough yapping from Green and leaped at her off the ring apron with a clothesline. Niven, meanwhile, recovered enough to take over. She went on the attack and landed a Michinoku Driver for the win.
WINNER: Niven in 3:00.
-Green and Niven attacked B-Fab afterward. Michin came out for the save. Niven and Green retreated. Barrett said this issue with them won’t end there.
-They showed Rey backstage about to make his ring entrance.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore who discussed Bob Uecker, a WWE Hall of Famer who died at age 90 this week. They aired a series of clips of his various appearances over the decades. [c]
-Tessitore plugged Raw in Dallas this Monday. He noted there are still some tickets available as they showed scenes of the skyline.
-A video recap aired of the Tiffany Stratton title win over Jax including various live streamers reacting.
-Saxton interviewed Stratton backstage. She said she made “Tiff-story” with her win, a play on “history.” He asked about her first defense against Bayley. She said she heard Bayley earlier. She said she’s had a career of big moments, but so has she. She said she is the WWE Women’s Champion. She said unlike Bayley, she doesn’t have to recreate great moments of the past because right now it’s Tiffy-time.
-Tessitore and Barrett looked at a “Tale of the Tape”
-Rey’s ring entrance took place. They showed Victoria in the front row cheering Rey. Barrett said this year’s Rumble is the most stacked he’s ever seen.
[HOUR THREE]
(5) REY MYSTERIO vs. KEVIN OWENS
KO’s entrance then took place. The graphic noted this is the first-ever one-on-one match between these two. The bell rang 1 minutes into the hour. Tessitore talked about KO’s match against Cody and discussed the addendum that Aldis wanted Owens and Cody to sign.KO outpowered Rey briefly, but Rey armdragged him. KO yelled at heckling fans. Fans chanted “619! 619!”
KO checked Rey through the ropes to the floor. Rey made his way back up the ringside steps and then locked up with Owens mid-ring. He sunset flipped KO for a two count. He leg scissored Owens and then played to the crowd. KO blocked another head scissors and slammed Rey to the mat. A minute later, Rey sent KO into the ring barricade. He then landed a sliding splash under the bottom rope onto KO at ringside. They cut to a break at 6:00. [c]
Rey hit a string of signature offensive moves leading to a two count at 11:00. He set up a 619, which popped the crowd, but KO caught him with a superkick instead. He followed with a Pop-Up Powerbomb attempt, but Rey slipped out of it and landed a DDT for a two count. KO landed a frog splash for a near fall a minute later. Rey came back with a sunset bomb for a two count. Both were down and slow to get up. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” KO caught Rey with a Stunner for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. Rey landed a 619 for a big pop and then climbed to the top rope. KO knocked him off balance when he stumbled into the ref who hit the ropes. KO then landed his Pop-Up Powerbomb for the win.
WINNER: Owens in 16:00.
-KO helped Rey up and shook his hand, but then kicked him and set up a package piledriver. Cody ran out for the save. Referees and agents swarmed them quickly and pulled Cody off of KO. Cody broke free and attacked KO at ringside. Cody was pulled off and restrained again. KO fled and Cody stood in the ring, fuming mad and yelling at KO. KO stood on a rolling crate and taunted Cody with the winged-eagle belt.
(Keller’s Analysis: Nice match. This was Rey’s first match in nearly two months. He was moving around somewhat gingerly and with a bit of a limp at first, so if they weren’t in San Diego and this wasn’t a chance for a first-ever singles match with KO, I doubt he’d have been booked to wrestle this week. Rey has refined his style enough to be able to his some new, scaled back signature spots that aren’t too hard on his body which has much mileage on it as anyone and put on a smart, crowd-pleasing match.) [c]
-They showed scenes of San Diego, then commented on the segment right before the break.
-Aldis told Cody that he and KO are out of control. Cody said he can’t let someone go at Rey like that. Aldis said he won’t even follow simple instructions like signing a contract. He said as a result, both he and KO will relinquish the belts and hang the belts over their heads, then sign that contract in front of the world. Aldis said he has assigned Shawn Michaels the duty of overseeing that contract signing live on SNME right before their match.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett reacting to the news. They also plugged the SNME line-up and also the MCMGs against Pretty Deadly next week on Smackdown.
-Backstage, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano confronted Pretty Deadly. Ciampa said they basically handed the win to the Machine Guns. They admitted it didn’t go as they wanted. Ciampa said they’re a joke and everybody is laughing. He told them to become men if they want a shot at the titles. Gargano said Ciampa is only saying that because they believe in them. He said they need to make life easier for them so they can make life better for them. “Chin up, guys,” he said. “See you next week.” Apollo Crews walked up to Pretty Deadly and said DIY are stringing them along and it’s taking them nowhere. Gargano jumped Crews as soon as Pretty Deadly walked away.
-Bayley made her ring entrance. They showed Roxanne Perez in the front row. Bayley stared her down as Tessitore talked about their interactions on NXT earlier in the week.
-They showed an aerial view of the Royal Rumble venue in Indianapolis, Ind. as Tessitore plugged a meet & greet for the Rumble.
-A vignette aired hyping the return of Charlotte Flair including footage of her moves, her ring entrances, her working out, and her on a yacht. Tessitore plugged an Instagram video Charlotte posted.
(6) TIFFANY STRATTON vs. BAYLEY – Women’s Title match
Tiffany made her ring entrance. Barrett said she’s as smart as they come and many consider her the best athlete in the locker room, counting all women and men. Lilian Garcia did formal ring introductions. The bell rang 39 minutes into the match. Tessitore defended Bayley’s travel schedule this past week as Barrett criticized her for wearing herself thin in the lead-up to this match. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Tiffany got in a stretch of sustained offense in the middle segment of the match. She knocked Bayley to the floor and then charged at her, but Bayley knocked her down with a forearm.Tiffany took over and trapped Bayley between the ring and ring apron. She then charged into her. Bayley beat the count, but Tiffany knocked her to the floor again. When Tiffany leaped at her at ringside, Bayley caught her and gave her a Bayley-to-Belly. They cut to a double-box break at 12:00. [c]
Bayley superplexed Tiffany after the break. They battled at ringside. Perez and Bayley exchanged some words. Barrett said Bayley should focus on Tiffany. Bayley landed a top rope elbow for a near fall at 17:00. Tiffany landed a spinebuster. Bayley came back with a Bayley-to-Belly for a two count. Tiffany rallied and went for a Prettiest Moonsault, but Bayley cut her off and landed a sunset bomb into the corner. She scored a two count. Tiffany made a comeback and blocked a Roseplant and then leveraged Bayley’s shoulders down for a two count. Bayley then went for a Rose Plant, but Tiffany countered with a cartwheel Alabama Slam and a Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
Tessitore and Barrett touted Tiffany’s win and said it’s like she’s now established herself at higher level.
WINNER: Tiffany Stratton in 20:00 to retain the Women’s Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good main event match. Strong performance from Tiffany. They tried to protect Bayley a bit by talking about her travel schedule in the last week plus Perez distracting her at ringside.)
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 Tej Narayananto 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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