WWE Friday Night SmackDown on the USA Network | June 20th, 2025 | The Episode Recap:

John Cena looks down as CM Punk is still feeling the effects of being put through a table at the end of SmackDown. (Photo by WWE)

The June 20th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match Results:

The Opening Match: Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss in the Queen of the Ring Semi-Final Round | via Pin-Fall | (09:25)

2nd Match: Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn in the King of the Ring Semi-Final Round | via Pin-Fall | (11:25)

3rd Match: Charlotte Flair defeated Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre & Piper Niven) in a Singles Match | via Submission | (07:25)

4th Match: LA Knight defeated Bronson Reed (with Bron Breakker & Paul Heyman) in a Singles Match | via DQ | (07:45)

The Main Event Match: Ron Killings defeated John Cena in a Singles Match | via DQ | (05:58)

My Thoughts on the June 20th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:

My Thoughts: This was a very up-and-down episode of SmackDown. I won't lie, SmackDown has been awful this year, a very dead show. That doesn't focus mainly on the younger talent and has Road Dogg being the man in charge of SmackDown creative, which he has done a horrible job of. But this was an okay episode. The first two matches on the show were fun. I watched both Semi-Final Matches, but after that, the next three matches just did nothing for me. No, Carmelo Hayes, Giulia, Fraxiom, MCMG, Rey Fenix, and The Street Profits weren't on the show. I have a lot of issues with SmackDown, and the Main Event Match was not good, but the after-match stuff was probably the best work Cena has done as a Heel this year. Overall, they need a hard reset because this is getting ridiculous. How awful the booking and show have been. Please bring the WWE Draft closer and gut out SmackDown because it needs saving at this point.

The June 20th | Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match Ratings:

The Opening Match: Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss in the Queen of the Ring Semi-Final Round | Match Rating: ***.25 | Solid Match. Alexa Bliss and Asuka work well with each other in this match. Former Tag Team Champions together now battling it out to see if they can advance to the Final Round of the Queen of the Ring Tournament. Asuka winning was the right choice, as I have a feeling we'll get Iyo Sky vs. Asuka at SummerSlam, which I need badly. But this was a fine opener, the 2nd best match of the show.

2nd Match: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn in the King of the Ring Semi-Final Round | Match Rating: **** | Match of the Night. I enjoy the hell out of this match--two veterans of the business who know how to put a great match together. Sami Zayn was thriving in his underdog role, wanting to reach his goal of trying to win King of the Ring and go on to SummerSlam and challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. But towards the ending sequences, we saw Randy Orton duck out of the way of the Helluva Kick then Sami Zayn caught the RKO into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near-fall kick-out. Randy Orton got Sami Zayn with the RKO, and for the 2nd Straight year, he'll be in the Final Round for the King of the Ring Tournament. Sami Zayn's hopes have been crushed, and now Randy Orton awaits as he will face either Cody Rhodes or Jey Uso in the Finals of the King of the Ring Tournament.

3rd Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre & Piper Niven) in a Singles Match | Match Rating: ** | This was a very rough match, like super rough. Nothing was impacting this match. Chelsea Green is one of my favorite women on SmackDown, but the chemistry between her and Charlotte Flair didn't mesh. Chelsea Green tapped out as she did, Piper Niven landed on Charlotte Flair, which allowed Alexa Bliss to come and help Charlotte Flair. Both aren't friends, but with the gesture by Alexa Bliss, something might be brewing.

4th Match: LA Knight vs. Bronson Reed (with Bron Breakker & Paul Heyman) in a Singles Match | Match Rating: N/A | This was an average match that didn't hit another gear. Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed looked strong as they took out LA Knight. It seems like this isn't some short feud; this is going to lead into Saturday Night Main Event or SummerSlam. But LA Kngiht and a Seth Rollins feud is a fresh of breath of air because we wanted new feuds and we got one and it has been entertaining so far we just waiting for the face-to-face of LA Knight ansd Seth Rollins which might happen once LA Knight returns from his bruatl attacks by the hgands of Seth Rollins minions.

The Main Event Match: Ron Killings vs. John Cena in a Singles Match | Match Rating: * | Ron Killings and John Cena had a disappointing match. I thought we were getting a 10-15 Minute Main Event, but it was cut short, and John Cena cut a savage promo on CM Punk, having his version of the Pipe Bomb, which was the best work of John Cena in his current heel run.

The June 20th | WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Match of the Night: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn in the King of the Ring Semi-Final Round | Match Rating: ****

The June 20th | Edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown | Episode Grade: 6.25/10 (C+) | Started very solid, then cooled off, but hit the landing. A very up-and-down episode. Highlighted by a solid opener and a great match between Sami Zayn and Randy. John Cena cuts a savage promo on CM Punk as SmackDown ended. SmackDown is just a mediocre overall show.

Next Week WWE Friday Night SmackDown | June 27th Episode | The Announced Matches & Segments:

1. Zelina Vega (c) vs. Giulia in a Singles Title Match for the WWE Women’s United States Championship.

2. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) vs. The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy) in a Tag Team Title Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship.

3. Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Nia Jax in a Last Women Standing Match for the WWE Women’s Championship.