WWE Friday Night SmackDown | May 9th, 2025 | The Episode Recap:

Randy Orton RKO'ing John Cena to close out the show. (Photo by WWE)

The May 9th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match Results:

The Opening Match: Damian Priest & LA Knight defeated Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa in a Tag Team Match | Pin-Fall | (10:08)

2nd Match: Alexa Bliss & Zelina Vega defeated The Green Regime (Chelsea Green & Piper Niven) (with Alba Fyre) in a Tag Team Match | Pin-Fall | (08:20)

3rd Match: Nia Jax defeated Jade Cargill in a WWE Women’s Championship Number One Contenders Match | Pin-Fall | (10:04)

4th Match: Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a Tag Team Match | Pin-Fall | (16:41)

5th Match: Aleister Black defeated Carmelo Hayes (with The Miz) in a Singles Match | Pin-Fall | (09:14)

The Main Event Match: Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) (with Santos Escobar) in a Tag Team Match | Pin-Fall | (10:24)

My Thoughts on the May 9th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: The show opened with Damian Priest and LA Knight teaming up ahead of tomorrow’s Backlash Match. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa displayed solid tag team chemistry, leading to a strong start for the event. The post-match chaos, featuring all participants in the Fatal Four Way Match for the United States Championship, was entertaining. Drew McIntyre made a grand return, raising the WWE United States Championship to conclude the opening match. Zelina Vega’s partner in the tag match was the returning Alexa Bliss, which served as a decent filler. Though this match didn’t particularly captivate me, I enjoy the stable of Alba Fytre, Chelsea Green, and Piper Niven, who are well-received by the crowd. Although the match was executed well, I found the ending unsatisfying. Jade Cargill had a strong performance, and I appreciate her recent booking following her departure from the Bianca Belair Tag Team, focusing on rivalries with Naomi and soon Charlotte Flair. Nia Jax also had a decent match, but I was disappointed with her victory, as it feels like she should have lost to give Jade Cargill a new feud and allow Tiffany Stratton a fresh title storyline. The tag team match was spectacular, showcasing Fraxiom’s impressive push and their excellent chemistry with The Street Profits. Fraxiom’s victory over the WWE Tag Team Champions hints at a future title shot. Aleister Black performed admirably in this well-structured match. Carmelo Hayes deserves a more prominent storyline; his booking this year has been underwhelming compared to established talents like Bron Breakker, Lyra Valkyria, and Tiffany Stratton. Despite a few highlights in this match, the ending felt shaky yet foreseeable, as Aleister Black emerged victorious. It’s frustrating how Carmelo Hayes’s potential has been overlooked since debuting on the main roster. The tag team main event was enjoyable and essential for concluding the show while advancing the storyline between Angel and Berot against Santos Escobar. Andrade’s opportunity to team with Rey Fenix was crucial, especially since he has been sidelined throughout 2025.

The May 9th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Damian Priest & LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa in a Tag Team Match | Match Rating: ***.25 | They kicked off with Damian Priest and LA Knight tagging along before tomorrow's Backlash Match. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa have somewhat good tag team chemistry. This match was very solid to start the show. I liked the after-match chaos involving all the men who will be involved in the Fatal-Four Way Match for the United States Championship. Drew McIntyre made his return. And held the WWE United States Championship high to close the first match.

2nd Match: Alexa Bliss & Zelina Vega vs. The Green Regime (Chelsea Green & Piper Niven) (with Alba Fyre) in a Tag Team Match | Match Rating: **.75 | Zelina Vega's tag partner was the returning Alexa Bliss. This was an okay filler match. This match didn't do much for me. But I do enjoy the stable of Alba Fytre, Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, a very fun stable that has been getting along well with the crowd.

3rd Match: Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill in a WWE Women’s Championship Number One Contenders Match | Match Rating: *** | This was a solid match until the ending portion of the match. This was a solid outing for Jade Cargill. I like how they've been booking her since departing Bianca Belair Tag Team and have been focusing on getting her in good feuds with the likes of Naomi and soon Charlotte Flair. Nia Jax had a good outing as well. Nia Jax winning, I didn't like it because she already had the feud with Tiffany Stratton and lost wiush they could have given it to Jade Cargill to give Tiffany Stratton a fresh new feud for her title.

4th Match: Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a Tag Team Match | Match Rating: ****.25 | This was an amazing tag team match. Fraxiom is getting that big push, and this was such a fun and. You can see they have great chemistry with The Street Profits. Fraxiom got the big victory over the WWE Tag Team Champions, which insinuates that in the future, they'll get a WWE Tag Team Championship opportunity.

5th Match: Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes (with The Miz) in a Singles Match | Match Rating: ***.25 | Aleister Black looked very good in this match. I thought this match was very put together. Carmelo Hayes should be in something important. His booking this year has been so disappointing, as Bron Breakker, Lyra Valkyria & Tiffany Stratton have been established. But there were certain spots in this match were well put. And the ending of the match was wonky but expected, as Aleister Black got the win. Carmelo Hayes needs better booking. It's insane how they've been mishandling his booking since his debut on the main roster.

The Main Event Match: Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Los Garzas (Angel & Berto) (with Santos Escobar) in a Tag Team Match | Match Rating: ***.75 | A very fun tag team main event match. I thought this match was needed to close the show and further that story being told for Anegl and Berot with their issues that are brewing with Santos Escobar. Andrade getting a match to tag with Rey Fenix was needed for Andrade, finally giving him something, as he has been on the sidelines this 2025 year.

The May 9th | WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match of the Night: Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a Tag Team Match | Match Rating: ****.25

The May 9th | Edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Episode Grade:  6.75/10 (C+) | Started very murky, but then the last three matches of the show were what we need to see weekly. This episode mainly focused on the in-ring. The ending segment with John Cena was solid stuff.