The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, held WWE SmackDown on March 7, 2025 after their recent PPV event. The show had several matches and interesting developments, especially following the shocking occurrences at Elimination Chamber. Below is a detailed rundown of the results and highlights from the episode.
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Opening Segment: Randy Orton Returns
The opening of the show featured the much-anticipated return to the ring of Randy Orton, making his long-awaited return after an injury layoff. To Orton’s delight, the Philadelphia crowd welcomed him with open arms. Orton first turned his attention towards John Cena, recently turned heel and aligned with The Rock. Criticizing Cena for selling out, he added that he was no more a top guy, calling him “a bottom for The Rock.”
Orton later directed his ire towards Kevin Owens, who, although appreciated as a performer, he considered “not to be a good person.” This, according to Orton, arose from jealousy directed toward other wrestlers, detailing how Owens attempted to end Cody Rhodes’ career out of jealousy over the WWE Championship. The promo ended with Orton stating that Randy would prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
Match 1: Tiffany Stratton vs. Piper Niven (Non-Title Match)
Afterward, the first match of the night featured a non-title confrontation between WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Piper Niven. The match was marked by in-ring acrobatics, showing off Stratton’s superb gift for wrestling as she won with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
After the match, things got out of hand as Charlotte Flair attacked her from behind and slapped the Figure Eight on her until officials could get Charlotte off of Tiffany.
Match 2: Triple-threat tag team match to become No. 1 contenders
Next fans witnessed a triple threat contest between Pretty Deadly, Motor City Machine-Guns, and Los Garza fight for the No.1 contender spot for the tag team titles. The match featured great high-flying action from Elmo and Pretty Deadly, with near falls throughout.
Pretty Deadly, hook noses and all, went against both Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza. Elmo and Pretty Deadly’s signature high-flying action keep things alive with near falls throughout the match.
Pretty Deadly were the ones to come out on top when Elton rolled up Chris after Kit shoved Shelley off the top rope. This win earned Pretty Deadly a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Naomi dit it for Bianca Belair?
Following the tag team action was a few emotions, featuring Bianca Belair, Naomi, and returning superstar Jade Cargill. Bianca Field didn’t hold back while confronting Naomi about attacking her dear friend Jade during Elimination Chamber, in the fewest words.
Naomi, after giving some emotional reasoning as to why she did what she did, told Bianca where-and-moved it, leaving an emotionally empty Naomi in the ring before going out on her door in the most feisty way.
Match 3: Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa
Braun Strowman made his long-anticipated return in a singles clash with Solo Sikoa. The match was anything else but easy and straightforward, full of might and resilience.
All hell broke loose when Tama Tonga interfered in the match, which had just turned in Strowman’s advantage against Sikoa, and stemming from that point the match was ruled a disqualification.
Jacob Fatu’s independently took centre stage when he assaulted Strowman. What happened afterwards was a mass chaos flashing outside the ring through the crowd area.
Match 4: Chelsea Green versus Michin (Street Fight for Women’s United States Championship)
Another thrilling contest in this ongoing saga wherein Chelsea Green, the current Women’s United States Champion defended her title against Michin in a street fight match. Various weapons kendo sticks, chairs, trash cans-were put to good use during the match, leading to brutal exchanges between the women.
There were several impressive things that Michin did in the match, like carrying out a spectacular senton through a table. However, thanks to some interference from Alba Fyre, who attacked Michin with a Canadian Destroyer onto steel chairs in the middle of the ring, Green was able to retain her championship.
Match 5: Drew McIntyre versus Jimmy Uso
Next on the slate was ex-champion Drew McIntyre taking on Jimmy Uso; it promised to be a bombastic contest. McIntyre dominated the match for the most part, but he felt plenty of heat from Uso.
In the end, McIntyre was awarded the victory after he ducked an Uso Splash and delivered his devastating Claymore Kick. Also, Damian Priest attacked McIntyre from behind for payback for what transpired earlier during Elimination Chamber.
Main Event: LA Knight versus Shinsuke Nakamura
For the main event, LA Knight would challenge reigning champion Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship in an exciting match full of near falls and high drama.
Most of the early action was under the control of Nakamura, with Knight fighting back valiantly against him, despite distractions along the way, including mist accidentally sprayed into the eyes of referee Charles Robinson by Nakamura during the body of their exchange.
Then, towards the end of the bout, Knight avoided a chair shot from Nakamura, and in an almost theatrical turn, effectively executed his finish known as BFT on Nakamura, with the latter’s back being driven down onto the steel chair placed onto the mat in the most effective way visualization could sell.
Just in time to count Knight’s pinfall victory of Nakamura, a second referee rushed down, making LA Knight your new WWE United States Champion! The show closed with Knight celebrating his hard-earned victory with fireworks going off all around him.
All in all, this episode was well-arranged, with exciting confrontations built to set the stage for future feuds heading to WrestleMania season.
Credit for all the images in the article – WWE
Vijay Suyal 
Reddaveni Saisneha