WWE Friday Night SmackDown on the USA Network | July 18th, 2025 | The Episode Recap:

Cody Rhodes put the WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena through a table, then announced that the match at WWE SummerSlam would be a Street Fight for the WWE Undisputed Title. (Photo by WWE)

The July 18th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Match Results:

The Opening Match: Charlotte Flair (with Alexa Bliss) defeated Raquel Rodriguez (with Roxanne Perez) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall | (09:14)

2nd Match: Damain Priest defeated Carmelo Hayes in a Singles Match | via DQ | (08:56)

3rd Match: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Alba Frye (with Piper Niven) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall | (02:02)

The Main Event Match: Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) and Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) and D.I.Y. (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) (with Candice LeRae) in a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships | via Pin-Fall | (15:37)

My Thoughts on the July 18th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: Not a bad episode of SmackDown, but there’s a lot of work to be done. There are many missing elements, and the WWE Draft is the only thing that could save it. However, the in-ring action was much better than it has been in recent weeks, and I enjoyed seeing some action from Carmelo Hayes tonight. The Tag Division continues to be the highlight of the show, and they delivered in the main event, which was fantastic with Andrade and Rey Fenix emerging victorious. I’m pleased with their win. The contract signing between WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena and Cody Rhodes was decent, but SmackDown really needs the Draft; this show hasn't been great in 2025 and requires a significant overhaul.

The July 18th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Charlotte Flair (with Alexa Bliss) vs. Raquel Rodriguez (with Roxanne Perez) in a Singles Match | Match Rating: *** | The match was an okay opener match I can’t complain. I think the advice Kevin Nash gave Raquel Rodriguez helped her a lot. Her style has changed, and I think she has found what works for her. Charlotte Flair gets the roll-up win and adds more momentum on her side as at SummerSlam, she’ll be facing The Judgement Day Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. So this was a good win for Charlotte Flair.

2nd Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Damian Priest in a Singles Match | Match Rating: N/A | Now this was an addition of fresh air to the SmackDown product. This was a very fun match. I’m really happy that Carmelo Hayes was on my TV as he adds so much to SmackDown. They need to start taking him seriously and give him that much-needed push to be where everyone else is from his NXT Class. But Damian Priest got jumped as the match started by Carmelo Hayes, and their in-ring styles meshed. This match was very fun, with a lot of moments. I thought the match was going to end, but it continued to look fun. Damian Priest was walking on the ropes as Aleister Black appeared and caused the disqualification to end this match. He enters the ring and hits a Black Mass on Damian Priest. I’m happy both men were protected and didn’t lose, and this Aleister Black and Damian Priest feud has been very fun. This needs to be on the SummerSlam undercard because this needs to be on a PLE. But for Carmelo Hayes, hoping something major will come for the young star.

3rd Match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Frye (with Piper Niven) in a Singles Match | Match Rating: N/A | I thought this match would go for a while two solid talent and Alba Fyre is very underrated but this was a quick squash for Stephanie Vaquer as she got the quick win but afterwards an attack by Piper Niven but it didn’t go to plan as Stephanie Vaquer fought back and got her out the ring. I want the Secret Hervice to get more serious about themselves as they have been looking like jokes, and I’m a huge fan of this group, wishing for better booking for them soon.

The Main Event Match: Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. D.I.Y. (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) (with Candice LeRae) in a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships | Match Rating: ****.25 | What an amazing match the Tag Division on SmackDown has been, the saving grace of this show. I love the fast-paced action mixed with the different styles. Fraxiom looked so awesome, and they had some moments. They fought the Motor City Machine Guns, which had me excited. Andrade and Rey Fenix are such a fun tag team, and the push they have been getting is much deserved, as both men are top-tier in-ring competitors in WWE. D.I.Y. brought some great value to this match; the mishap at the end, I hope, isn’t the start of the disintegration of the team. But Andrade and Rey Fenix get the win and face the Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Titles next week on SmackDown. It’ll also be Wyatt Sicks’ first tag title defense, so big stakes next week.

The July 18th | WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Match of the Night: Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs. D.I.Y. (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) (with Candice LeRae) in a Fatal Four-Way Number One Contender Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships | Match Rating: ****.25

The July 18th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown — Episode Grade: 6.50/10 (C+) — Not a bad episode of SmackDown, but there’s a lot of work to do. What is missing is a lot, and the WWE Draft is the only saving grace. But the in-ring action wasn’t that bad like it has been these previous weeks, and I liked how we got some Carmelo Hayes action tonight. The Tag Division is still the bright spot of this show, and they delivered big-time in the Main Event, which was amazing with Andrade and Rey Fenix winning. I’m happy about them winning. WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena and Cody Rhodes had their contract signing, which wasn’t that bad at all, but SmackDown needs the Draft; this show hasn’t been great in 2025 and needs an overhaul.

Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown | July 25th Episode | The Announced Matches & Segments:

1. The Wyatt Sick (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) (c) vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix in a Tag Team Title Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

2. Alexa Bliss (with Charlotte Flair) vs. Roxanne Perez (with Raquel Rodriguez) in a Singles Match.

3. Jelly Roll & Randy Orton will face off against Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul.