WWE SmackDown Results | January 24, 2025 | Moody Center in Austin, Texas: On your Fun Friday, WWE SmackDown brought you in-ring action as the matches were set for the Saturday Night’s Main Event. There were high-stakes matches, rivalries boiling over and moments that never fail to build anticipation for what comes next. Here’s a walk through the night:
WWE SmackDown Results And Highlights:
Cody Rhodes Opens the Show
Joe Tessitore facilitated the opening interview with the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. That was when Rhodes raved both about KO being a “once-in-a-generation talent” and a tactic to even the odds by reminding everyone that he was Randy Orton’s student. He welcomed Shawn Michaels to mediate his ladder match contract signing against Kevin Owens this Saturday night at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The piece concluded, and Rhodes launched into his own segment uninterrupted, luxuriating as he mused over his own journey and the stakes in the future.
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Pretty Deadly
In the opening contest of the evening, Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, aka the Motor City Machine Guns, faced off against Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson & Elton Prince. Pretty Deadly with their size advantage dominated much of the match. They showed an aggressive double-team bulldog that was just shy of winning them the match. It would take a tricky finish, but MCMG’s speed and chemistry swung things back in their favor. The pair fired back with their usual synchronized assault, which consisted of their finishing move, Skull and Crossbones to gain the pinfall win.
Sabin had a brutal looking collision with the ring post, which added a realism to the match. GD’s double-team bulldog from Pretty Deadly was impressive and could be a future finisher for the team. This was a fun, frenetic bout.
Result: MCMG defeated Pretty Deadly
B-Fab & Michin vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
This women’s tag match progressed the ongoing feud between Michin and Chelsea Green. The bout was brief but offered enough action to continue their feud. There was something on Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu, which felt like a setup for a future storyline. Piper Niven’s power shined through during short interactions with B-Fab.
Result: B-Fab and Michin defeated Green and Niven
Jax, LeRae & Morgan vs. Ripley, Naomi & Belair
A messy six-woman tag match followed a long in-ring segment in which the six participants talked about their intentions going into the Royal Rumble. Every competitor had their moments to shine in a back-and-forth match. In the closing moments, Rhea Ripley controlled the match following a hot tag. However, Liv Morgan took advantage in the end and stole the win by pinning Bianca Belair.
Ripley’s resurgence electrified the match after a plodding early going. The match win is also the latest in a growing storyline for Liv Morgan going into the Royal Rumble. The segment teased possible alliances and rivalries leading into WrestleMania season.
Result: Jax, LeRae, and Morgan defeated Ripley, Naomi, and Belair
Apollo Crews vs. Johnny Gargano
This led to a return to singles action for Apollo Crews against Johnny Gargano following a heated backstage verbal exchange. Crews picked up a rollup win over Gargano to the surprise of the crowd, despite Tommaso Ciampa’s interference. Although the match was short, it displayed the athleticism and storytelling skills of both competitors.
Crews landed a perfect gorilla press slam into a moonsault. The running knee strike by Ciampa outside of the ring was also a dramatic touch on the finish.
Result: Crews defeated Gargano
Tama Tonga vs. LA Knight
The war of attrition between Tama Tonga and LA Knight was full of leather-smacking wear and tear from the opening bell. Knight kicked off his fight with a pre-match promo that set the energy for a battle. The action quickly spilled to the outside, with both men exploiting the barricades as weapons. Knight, however, was able to avoid interference when Jacob Fatu showed up ringside but still victorious after hitting his BFT finisher for the win.
Braun Strowman came out to even the odds after the match when Fatu threw a savage beating on Knight. Tonga showed off his athleticism during a clothesline spot off the barricade. Knight’s toughness and rapport with the crowd are enhancing his standing.
Result: Knight defeated Tonga
Kevin Owens vs. Jimmy Uso (Main Event)
The show concluded with a hotly contested main event between Kevin Owens and Jimmy Uso. After a fiery backstage confrontation unfolded earlier in the show. Owens was in control early, mocking both Uso and the crowd. Things started to pick up in the second half, with Uso making a strong comeback.
Still, Owens got the win by hitting a Popup Powerbomb. After the match, Cody Rhodes confronted Owens in an after-credits scene, presumably leading to their confrontation at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Owens’ trash talk during the match only heightened the drama. Rhodes’ postmatch attack raised the stakes ahead of their upcoming match.
Result: Owens defeated Uso
Backstage Moments:
Backstage segments were integral to moving storylines along:
Nick Aldis Welcomes Damian Priest
Nick Aldis, the General Manager of SmackDown, announced Damian Priest as the most recent draft addition to the blue brand. When Aldis booked Priest in a match against Carmelo Hayes later in the night, Priest seemed confident but also unfazed. The announcement established the mood for Priest’s blistering debut.
Nick Aldis Offers The Miz Some Advice
As Aldis was handling some backstage business, The Miz was shown backstage, discussing his future on SmackDown with Aldis. The two-time grand slam champion was informed about his move to the blue brand where Wyatt Sicks. Aldis stressed the necessity of having friends in such a dog-eat-dog locker room. Miz, as opportunistic as always, certainly appeared interested and dropped hints about future collabortions or schemes.
Vignette — Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu
Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu appeared in a cryptic vignette. The video featured the two powerhouses in training montages, implying a possible allegiance — or an inescapable crash. The segment was wellreceived by fans who now await to see what impact will these two legends have SmackDown going forward.
Kevin Owens Riles Up Matthew McConaughey
In a fun backstage moment, Matthew McConaughey — who was a special guest in the audience for the show — crossed paths with Kevin Owens. Owens bashed McConaughey’s latest films and mocked Texas pride, prompting a chuckle from the actor as fans in attendance applauded the banter.
This week’s SmackDown delivered solid action and storyline progression, with the tag match between MCMG and Pretty Deadly standing out as the highlight. While the buildup to Saturday Night’s Main Event felt somewhat lukewarm, the focus on individual rivalries and the Royal Rumble added intrigue to the overall show.
REDDAVENI SAISNEHA 
Sachin Singh