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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MARCH 14, 2025
BARCELONA, SPAIN AT OLIMPIC ARENA
AIRED ON TAPE DELAY ON USA NETWORK
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
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[HOUR ONE]
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed an aerial view of Barcelona. They showed fans excitedly awaiting entry and then the interior of the arena as fans were pumping their fists and singing. They showed Cody Rhodes backstage as Tessitore plugged Miz TV. Then they showed Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, Randy Orton, The Street Profits, DIY, and Paul Heyman. Tessitore said they’re intrigued by what Heyman has to say about Roman Reigns’s return. Fans chanted “OTC!”
-Lilian Garcia introduced L.A. Knight, who won the U.S. Title last week. Fans loudly chanted “L.A. Knight! L.A. Knight!” Wade Barrett touted the raucous atmosphere. Tessitore noted it has been six years since WWE was in Spain and it’s the first time ever Smackdown has come there. Fans were leaping excitedly and singing “Olé!” Knight soaked it up, smiled, and said, “Let me talk to ya’!” He said he might be U.S. Champion, but he feels worldwide. Fans chanted “You deserve it!”
Knight said it he was without that title for too long, but it’s back in the hands it should be. Jimmy Uso’s music interrupted. Knight looked irked as Jimmy walked out. Jimmy entered the ring and said he’s not out there to congratulate him, but rather tell him he is desperate. He said his options to get to WrestleMania are narrowing, so he challenged Knight to a title match tonight. Solo Sikoa’s music interrupted.
Solo walked out with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Solo said if anyone deserves a U.S. Title shot, it is Jacob. Solo told Jimmy to step aside since he is the failure of the family. Jimmy told Solo he failed when he lost the ula fala to Roman. Fans cheered and chanted “OTC!” Solo and Fatu entered the ring. Tama caught Jimmy with a DDT from behind. Solo and Jimmy stomped away at Knight and Jimmy. Braun Strowman’s entrance took place and he ran out to even the numbers. He cleared the ring of the heels.
Nick Aldis walked out and booked a six-man match starting “right now.” [c]
(1) SOLO SIKOA & JACOB FATU & TAMA TONGA vs. BRAUN STROWMAN & L.A. KNIGHT & JIMMY USO
Solo and Jimmy tagged as they joined the match in progress 16 minutes into the hour. Knight landed a top rope elbow onto Fatu about five minutes into the match. As Knight set up his BFT, Solo distracted the ref. Fatu shoved Knight into Tonga and then he hit him from behind. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
The heels beat up Knight during the break. After the break, Solo was punching away at Knight in the corner. Knight hot-tagged in Braun who knocked over charging heels one after another. He then charged around ringside and knocked over the three heels one after another. The fans roared. Jimmy dove through the ropes and knocked Fatu over the announce desk. Back in the ring, Braun powerslammed Tonga for the win.
WINNER: Braun & Jimmy & Knight in about 12:00.
-Solo attacked Braun from behind as he celebrated. Knight clotheslined Solo over the ringside barricade. Fatu stood and kicked Jimmy. He then entered the ring and knocked Braun down and then landed his jump-up moonsault three times. Barrett said he is completely incapable of self-restraint, but said they lack the personnel to stop it. Fatu walked up the aisle, but then turned back and charged at full speed at Braun and knocked him over the barricade and he crashed hard through the barricade himself.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd is red-hot, and thankfully they’re popping for the babyfaces moves and not just going into singing routines. It was clever to have Jimmy confront Knight about a title shot and have that lead to a six-man tag.)
-Tessitore plugged Jade Cargill would speak next. [c]
-Barrett plugged WWE cards.
-A video recap aired of the Bianca Belair-Naomi-Jade Cargill Saga.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill earlier in the empty arena. She asked Jade where she is at physically and mentally. Jade said physically, she’s okay and ready to go. She said listening to Naomi act like the victim was pathetic. Kelley asked how she knew Naomi was the attacker and why she didn’t alert people sooner. Jade said all she can recall is being hit and thrown onto the back of the car. She said she saw Naomi run away. “That was my big sis, that was our best friend,” she said. She said she didn’t just attack her physically, she attacked her integrity, loyalty, and heart. “I mean, how can you trust anyone after that.” She said after seeing Naomi team with Belair afterward as if nothing happened, she knew she had to take things into her own hands. She said she should’ve hit her harder. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez interrupted. Jade said now isn’t the time. Liv said because of her, they were blamed for weeks. Jade and Liv argued over each other. Jade said she’ll see Liv next week. Liv laughed and called her a loser and an idiot.
(Keller’s Analysis: So we learned Jade cannot rule out that Belair was involved, although it’d be quite the performance for Belair and Naomi to put on that show last week just to, what, lull Jade into a false sense of security? I’m glad Kelley asked Jade why she waited so long, but she didn’t exactly answer that.)
-B-Fab cut a promo backstage in Spanish. She told Charlotte that she hopes she hasn’t slept on her. She said she’s ready to build her own legacy, and that can start by beating her.
-B-Fab made her entrance. [c]
(2) CHARLOTTE FLAIR vs. B-FAB
The bell rang 48 minutes into the hour. Tessitore said he likes B-Fab’s attitude which is “swinging for the fences.” Charlotte chopped B-Fab several times. B-Fab ducked and kicked Charlotte, then clotheslined her followed by a uranage for a one count. Charlotte rolled to ringside as they cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Back from the break, Charlotte was in control. She drove B-Fab’s head into the mat a few times with her legs. She kipped up and stumbled a bit and then struck a pose. When she went for a figure-four, B-Fab kicked Charlotte into the corner turnbuckles. Charlotte recovered and shoved B-Fab.
B-Fab went after Charlotte with a big boot as Charlotte charged at her. The kick showed light, as Charlotte bumped early. B-Fab scored a two count. Barrett said it landed “almost flush” and said Charlotte leaned back at the last second “reducing the impact of the kick.” They replayed it from a reverse angle, hiding the light the move showed. Charlotte fired back with a superkick and a Natural Selection. She smiled and then applied a figure-four into the Figure-Eight for the tapout win.
WINNER: Charlotte in 9:00.
-Charlotte held on after the bell. Two referees pleaded with her to release it. Tiffany Stratton ran out for the save. They brawled as fans chanted “Tiffy Time!” A bunch of security officers and agents ran out to separate them. Charlotte yanked Tiffany to ringside. They were separated again. Then they brawled again. “Somebody get a stun gun!” said Barrett. Charlotte leaped off the top rope and moonsaulted onto Tiffany and a crowd of security. Tiffany was dragged to the back, but kept taunting Charlotte. They showed an enraged Charlotte up close yelling back at her.
(Keller’s Analysis: WWE does this type of pullapart a lot lately so it doesn’t feel especially novel, but this was a good one.)
[HOUR TWO]
-A vignette aired with Drew McIntyre recounting how he has realized that every time he was screwed, someone benefited – Damian Priest. He said Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, robbing him of his moment at WrestleMania. He said at Clash at the Castle, he was screwed by C.M. Punk “and that vulture picked the bones once again.” He then cashed in his MITB contract, but he got screwed by Punk again and Priest was there to capitalize. He said Priest couldn’t succeed unless it was off his back. He said Priest eliminated him from the Rumble, and then at Elimination Chamber, Priest cost him again. He said he’s going to put him down for good “so you can never take anything from me again.”
(Keller’s Analysis: Very well done.)
-Tessitore plugged the DIY vs. Profits match for the belts.
-Miz made his ring entrance. [c]
-Miz stood mid-ring for Miz TV. As he was about to introduce Cody Rhodes, Tiffany and Charlotte were back brawling by the entrance area. Tiffany leaped off of the balcony and flipped onto security. (She completely missed Charlotte who was five feet to the side with other security people but they all fell over together like bowling pins.) Tiffany yelled, “There’s a new queen in town!” Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”
Miz said it is very awesome. He said Cody could have accepted his offer, but instead he got beat up by two rappers – Travis Scott and John Cena. Fans booed Cena’s name louder than Scott’s. Miz said unlike him, Cody will not beat Cena in the main event of WrestleMania. He introduced Cody. He said he doesn’t have time for singalong with Cody. He said he already got interrupted by Tiffy Time. Cody attacked Miz with an uppercut and CrossRhodes. Fans cheered and chanted “Cody! Cody!” Cody said he doesn’t want to talk to Miz or anyone other than Cena. “If you can find it worth your time to join us on the Road to WrestleMania next Monday, I’ll be there too.” He threw down the mic and his music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Not a lot to that, and the crowd seemed maybe disappointed they didn’t hear more from Cody, but the went back to singing his song after the short segment.)
-A clip aired from earlier as Aldis scolded Shinsuke Nakamura for assaulting the referee. Nakamura said he wants a rematch. Aldis said he’s lucky he’s not suspended. Priest interrupted and asked, “Where is he?” Aldis said he was told he left the building. Priest said he’s not only a jackass, but he’s a smart one. Nakamura mouthed off to Priest. Priest said he doesn’t know what he just said. He spoke in Spanish and the crowd reacted. He said he’s looking for a fight and he wants to give Nakamura a beating. Aldis liked that idea.
-Priest made his entrance. [c]
-A commercial for Raw hyped Cena and Cody in the ring together for the first time since Elimination Chamber and a clip of Triple H saying he doesn’t know “what the hell he’s going to do as a heel.”
(Keller’s Analysis: The insider terms Triple H is introducing a little more often these days on the actual TV shows isn’t a sign of respecting the fans in this so-called post-kayfabe era, but rather transparently pandering to them in a way that feels like part of a new-era con. It’s like he think fans will like him more and respect him for being more “transparent” with them if he treats them like marks gobbling up the honor of having him use terms like that in places and contexts that promoters and bookers haven’t in the past.)
(3) DAMIEAN PRIEST vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
Nakamura’s entrance aired. The bell rang 26 minutes into the second hour. They locked up as fans sang Nakamura’s song. They cut to an early break after Priest clotheslined Nakamura over the top rope to the floor. [c]
Back from the break, Priest countered a Nakamura leap off the top rope with a face plant. Priest then rallied and landed a Broken Arrow. Nakamura rolled to the floor. Priest charged at Nakamura at ringside and sent him flying into the announce desk. Priest landed a top rope crossbody and then signaled for his finisher. Fans clapped along. Nakamura ducked and applied a cross armbreaker. Priest broke free and then took Nakamura down with a lariat. Priest lowered his strap and then set up a South of Heaven. Priest looked at ringside where McIntyre was waving at him. Nakamura rolled up Priest for a two count. He went for a Kinshasa, but Priest ducked and landed South of Heaven. McIntyre attacked Priest as he went for the cover.
WINNER: Priest via DQ in 10:00.
-McIntyre and Priest fought afterward. McIntyre gouged Priest’s eyes. Nakamura landed a Kinshasa as McIntyre watched. A “C.M. Punk!” chant rang out. Nakamura eyed McIntyre, then left. McIntyre attacked Priest and threw him into the ringside barricades. Fans chanted, “We want tables!” McIntyre lifted the stairs and rammed Priest in the head with them. McIntyre was about to leave, but he saw Priest return to the ring, so McIntyre charged back into the ring and landed a Claymore. McIntyre yelled at Priest that he’s going to make his life a living hell. He stomped him and then left.
-Kelley asked DIY what makes them confident they’ll retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. Tomasso Ciampa said the Profits are trying to rise to their level. Johnny Gargano said the Profits are the way they are because of them, and they’re better now, but still not as good as them. He said they say they want the smoke, but it’s more like they’re about to choke. Ciampa asked how do you say “moment of silence” in Spanish. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin walked in and said the entire tag division is coming for them. Sabin said they have unfinished business with them.
-Randy Orton was shown backstage. Fans roared with cheers. [c]
-They showed Lamine Yamal from the FC Barcelona holding a replica title belt.
-Kelley interviewed Chelsea Green and her Secret Chervice agents, Alba Fyre and Piper Niven. Chelsea said Nicholas was throwing her into harms way lately, so her Green Administration is in full force. Zelina Vega interrupted and said she wants to be the new U.S. Champion. Niven said she’ll have to go through her and Fyre first. Vega said that works for her.
(4) RANDY ORTON vs. CARMELO HAYES
As Orton’s ring entrance took place, they showed clips of Kevin Owens attacking Orton and then Orton firing back with an RKO, but being stopped before he could land the Punt. Hayes them made his entrance. The bell rang 54 minutes into the hour. Carmelo pulled his hand away from a handshake offer. Orton laughed, then gave him a forearm uppercut. Fans counted in Spanish as Orton punched Hayes ten times in the corner. He then slammed Hayes on the announce desk as they cut to an early break. [c]
Hayes had taken over control after the break.
[HOUR THREE]
Orton made a comeback at 6:00 and set up a draping DDT. Hayes countered and springboarded at Orton with a bodypress, but Orton turned it mid-air into a snap powerslam for a near fall. Hayes kicked Orton’s knee a minute later and landed a leaping DDT for a two count. Orton eventually hit an RKO Out of Nowhere for the win.
WINNER: Orton in 10:00.
-Orton helped Hayes up in a potential show of respect. He offered a handshake. Hayes shoved him. Orton then gave him another RKO. “That’s what you get, Melo!” exclaimed Tessitore. “You may have just missed right there!” Tessitore said they were seeing a more compassionate version of Orton, Hayes showed such disrespect. Orton set up a Punt. Owens pulled Hayes out of the ring. Orton went after Owens. Owens shoved Orton into the ring apron and then fled through the crowd.
-The announcers commented on the Braun-Fatu interactions earlier in the show.
-Fatu cut a promo backstage with Solo and Tonga in the background. He challenged Braun to a match next week.
-Gunther made his ring entrance. [c]
-Gunther stood mid-ring. He criticized Jey Uso for waving his arms like an idiot to entertain the fans. He said it doesn’t mean a damn thing when the bell rings. He then said there’s “a kid” who is a promising talent that the fans love. He said he wanted to prove his superiority to him. He introduced Axiom.
(5) GUNTHER vs. AXIOM
The bell rang 15 minutes into the hour. Gunther fended off Axiom’s attack, but Axiom surprised him with a hanging armbar in the corner. Axiom caught him with three kicks, but Gunther chopped him hard to the mat. Fans booed as they cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Axiom surprised Gunther with a small package for a near fall. Gunther came back with a flying dropkick and then a powerbomb with a stack cover for a two count. Gunther looked up in shock as the fans cheered.
Axiom met Gunther on the top rope, but Gunther set up a powerbomb. Axiom countered with a huracanrana and then a a superkick to the jaw. Axiom scored a near fall at 8:00. Barrett’s voice was cracking as he reacted to the sequence. Gunther came back with two powerbombs and a hard lariat followed by another powerbomb for the stacked pin.
WINNER: Gunther in 9:00.
-Gunther put Axiom in a sleeper after the match. Tessitore touted Axiom’s “spirited, big-hearted effort.”
(Keller’s Analysis: That was fun. Gunther sold quite a bit and in a way that just delighted the fans, although the outcome was never truly in doubt.) [c]
-A recap aired of the cage match on Raw between C.M. Punk and Seth Rollins that led to the return of Roman Reigns.
-Heyman stood mid-ring and introduced himself. Heyman plugged the WWE video game with Reigns on the cover. He said everyone should play it after Smackdown ends but no sooner because he wants ratings for his segment to be high. He said not everyone is happy Roman was chosen to be on the cover of the video game, and one of them is C.M. Punk, a friend of his. When he mentioned Seth Rollins, fans sang his song. Heyman said hates that freakin’ song. When he said Reigns will be on Smackdown next week, fans booed. He told them not to boo because all they have to do is fly to Italy on Cheapo Airlines. Fans kept booing. He told Seth he can say anything he wants straight to his face next week. “That’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler,” he said. He tossed the mic down and left the ring.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside. Barrett said he wants to know the nature of the favor Heyman owes Punk. Tessitore plugged tickets to Smackdown next Friday in Bologna, Italy featuring a Roman appearance in person. The line-up includes Vega vs. Piper, Jade vs. Liv, and Braun vs. Fatu.
-They showed the Profits getting psyched up backstage. Legado Del Fantasma wished them luck and said they’ll take the belts from them if they win. They laughed. Montez Ford mock-laughed in response. Ford said all they’ve heard is noise for four years, but they’re putting the critics to sleep and waking everyone else up. They closed with “We Want the Smoke!” They made their way to the ring. [c]
-Backstage, they showed Gunther chatting with Jimmy Uso about Jey. Gunther said he wanted to talk to him about what they share in common. He said they’re the more mature older brothers. Gunther said if Jey doesn’t step back from his match against him at WrestleMania, he’ll have to do to him what he did to Axiom. He told him to talk to Jey. Jimmy said he’s got it wrong. He stood and said the Ring General is going to drop the WWE Title to the “Main Event in Sin City.” Gunther said he was mistaken about his maturity. “I tried,” he said. “I really did.”
(6) DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) – WWE Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early break after brawling at ringside. [c]
Dawkins stalked Ciampa at ringside and knocked him into the time keeper’s area. Gargano then leaped onto him and threw him back into the ring. Dawkins took over and put Gargano on his shoulders. Ford set up a Doomsday Blockbuster, but Ciampa shoved Ford off the top rope. Ford then landed his obligatory leaping flip dive to ringside. Then they gave Gargano a Doomsday Blockbuster. Ciampa broke up the cover at 10:00.
They showed Pretty Deadly watching on a monitor backstage. Ciampa kneed Ford out of mid-air at ringside. Dawkins went for a Swanton, but Gargano moved. Ciampa kneed Dawkins and then Gargano kicked him leading into a Fairy Tale Ending. Dawkins kicked out just before three.
Gargano tagged in and they went for Meet in the Middle, but Dawkins ducked, so Gargano kicked Ciampa. Ford landed a top rope frog splash for the win. Tessitore said it took four years and two months to regain the belts, but “a new reign begins here in Spain.”
WINNERS: The Street Profits to capture the WWE Tag Team Titles in 12:00.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
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 Chris Lansdell to 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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