WWE SmackDown live results: Backlash go-home show

One night before John Cena steps up for the first defense of his 17th World title reign, the Undisputed WWE Champion will return to SmackDown tonight.

Cena is set to renew his rivalry with Randy Orton at Backlash on Saturday. Orton appeared on last week’s SmackDown episode and cut a promo on Cena, who did not make an appearance. Tonight, we’ll get Cena’s final words before facing Orton.

Also tonight, Solo Sikoa will team with Jacob Fatu to face the duo of LA Knight & Damian Priest. Knight and Priest will be two of the participants in a fatal four-way for Fatu’s United States title at Backlash. The fourth competitor will be Drew McIntyre.

Jade Cargill and Nia Jax will square off to determine the number one contender to Tiffany Stratton’s WWE Women’s Championship. Cargill teamed with Stratton last week to defeat Jax and her partner Naomi.

Plus, Aleister Black is set for action against Carmelo Hayes.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– The show opened with Damian Priest walking towards the ring. Byron Saxton interrupted his walk and asked him about the Backlash Fatal Four-way. Priest was talking and LA Knight walked up and Knight told Priest that anyone who gets in the way of him and his U.S. title will receive backlash tomorrow night. Priest said he was concerned that Knight wouldn’t have his back in the opening tag match. Knight said if Priest has his back, he’ll have Priest’s back and Knight told someone to hit his music. Knight then made his entrance for the first match.

LA Knight & Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa

Priest and Knight argued about who was going to start the match and Sikoa attacked both of them. Priest ended up officially starting the match for his team. Priest bounced back from the initial attack and took Sikoa down before posing in Fatu’s face. Priest successfully executed Old School on Sikoa and fired up the crowd. Priest went for a clothesline, but Sikoa rolled to the outside. Priest then hit a double axe-handle on Sikoa and jawed at Fatu, who was taken out by Knight’s dropkick through the ropes. With the heels down, Priest and Knight bickered as the show went to its first commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa was working Priest’s neck back inside the ring. Priest struggled to get the tag to Knight, but Sikoa knocked Knight off the apron once Priest got free. Sikoa capitalized with a Samoan Drop and a two-count. Fatu tagged in and landed a running Senton. Fatu headbutted Priest and followed that up with a hip attack. Sikoa tagged back in and soaked up boos. Sikoa got a running start, but Priest fired out of the corner with a kick to Sikoa’s head. Knight and Fatu tagged into the match.

Knight had the upper hand and hit his spots, including a jumping neck-breaker and a leaping elbow. Knight set up for the jump-up elbow, but Priest tagged himself in and clotheslined the hell out of Fatu. Priest set up for South Of Heaven and Knight tagged himself in. Sikoa took advantage of the babyfaces arguing … until Knight landed the BFT on Sikoa for the win.

Match result: LA Knight & Damian Priest defeated Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa (10:07)

After the match, Knight and Priest threw punches at each other until Fatu broke it up and attacked both babyfaces, ramming them into ring posts and hitting hip attacks. Fatu held up his U.S. title as the crowd cheered … until Drew McIntyre showed up and Claymore Kicked Fatu. McIntyre then held up the U.S. title.

I liked the disruption to the cookie-cutter approach SmackDown has been taking to open its shows. They had a match, a commercial break and a post-match beatdown all within the first 20 minutes whereas we’ve been seeing far too many 20-plus-minute promos to begin Friday nights. Hopping directly into a match was a welcome change of pace. I’m also glad they got this match out of the way early because … well … it didn’t feel like a lot of thought was put into that booking, considering the last few weeks. Anyway, the match was fine. Standard. Inoffensive. Pick any of those words and you wouldn’t be wrong. The “babyfaces arguing for the sake of creating tension” is a tired trick – and especially in WWE – so the Knight/Priest stuff only annoyed me. Perhaps I’m just grumpy. And finally, while Sikoa taking the loss was the expected outcome, do we see him play a part in Saturday’s four-way finish that separates him from Fatu? The crowds love to cheer Jacob. Why not pull the trigger on an official turn?

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– R-Truth was standing outside with a “Let’s Go Cena!” sign. Jimmy Uso walked up and told Truth that Cena sucks. Jimmy Yeeted and walked away as Truth kept chanting for Cena.

– McIntyre was walking backstage and Saxton rushed over to talk to him. McIntyre said the U.S. title match should be a one-on-one match between him and Fatu. McIntyre noted how Knight shouldn’t be in the match because he lost at WrestleMania. McIntyre questioned why Priest is in the match, too, because Priest lost at Mania, too. McIntyre said he wants to take the title off Fatu to become a Grand Slam Champion. McIntyre mocked Fatu’s “All gas and no breaks” catchphrase and said he’d be the next U.S. champion.

– The Secret Hervice and Chelsea Green were shown in Nick Aldis’s office and they were mourning losing the Women’s U.S. title. Zelina Vega and Aldis walked in. Green said Vega has no girlfriends, so Vega challenged Green and Niven to a tag match. Vega said she’d bring one of her girlfriends. The show went to a commercial break after Green and the Hervice’s entrance.

– An Aleister Black vignette aired. Black said he buried his former WWE character and what he found six feet under wasn’t death – it was the truth. Black said he came back because he is the consequences the company needs. Black said he’s more than a man who whispers in shadows. Black said it’s bigger than good vs. evil because he’s there to confront everyone mentally and physically. Black said he hasn’t figured Carmelo Hayes out yet and the vignette ended.

– Vega made her entrance for the next match first and then pointed to the entranceway to introduce … Alexa Bliss.

Alexa Bliss & Zelina Vega vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven

Niven and Vega started the match and Niven got the best of Vega. Green tagged in and went for a splash, but Vega moved. Vega then went to work on Green, setting up Vega (and Niven) for a dual 619. Vega landed it and got a two-count out of it. Vega teased tagging Bliss into the match, but Green attacked Vega. As a result of all that, the heels got the upper hand and Green tagged in Niven, who put Vega down. The heels saluted the crowd(?) and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Vega was crawling towards Bliss, but Niven cut off Vega. Niven lifted Vega, but Vega countered with a DDT and alas, Bliss received the hot tag. Green tagged in, too, and Bliss worked over Green with a series of strikes and even a dragon-screw leg-whip. Bliss landed a Blockbuster on Green for a two-count. Bliss ran into an elbow and Green climbed to the top, but Bliss cut off Green and dropkicked Green. Bliss hit Twisted Bliss on Green, but Niven broke up a pin attempt. Vega landed a Code Red on Niven. Bliss followed that up with a Sister Abagail DDT on Green for the win.

Match result: Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven (8:19)

I’m a little lost on returning Bliss like this (other than the obligatory home state factor). Isn’t the plan for her to work with the Wyatt Sicks? Why waste her return on a throwaway tag match with an ice cold secondary women’s champion … on WWE’s worst weekly television program? I hope there’s a plan for her moving forward. That aside, this was a fine match and it was nice to see Bliss get her greatest hits in. Green and Niven did a really good job putting both Vega and Bliss over and while Vega took the bulk of the match, Bliss hit a nice stride as everything went to the finish. Here’s hoping something big is on the horizon for Bliss, who always packs a punch when she returns.

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– Rey Fenix ran into Santos Escobar backstage and Fenix reminded Escobar that he beat him last week. Escobar said he had something to say and Los Garza attacked Fenix, running him into road cases. Andrade showed up and showed concern for Fenix.

– An SUV pulled up to the arena and Charlotte Flair stepped out of it.

– A video package on John Cena and Randy Orton’s history aired.

The Charlotte Flair segment

Charlotte told Dayton that their queen has arrived and some people cheered. Charlotte said she had the greatest match in WrestleMania history and recalled how she was out for two years, but still took Tiffy to her limit. A photo of Tiffy at Mania was shown on the big screen. Charlotte said she was there to announce her path to the WWE Women’s Championship. People booed and Charlotte acted petulant, saying she’s the GOAT of women’s wrestling. Charlotte said if the crowd continued to be disrespectful, she would leave Dayton and never come back. The crowd booed heartily. Charlotte threw the microphone down and left the ring. As Charlotte left, Jade Cargill’s music hit and Cargill made her entrance. Charlotte stood in the entranceway and the two engaged in a stare down.

Cargill got a microphone once she stepped into the ring and told Charlotte to head to the back of line because Charlotte had her chance. I’m not sure if this was scripted because Cargill kept talking over her theme music, so either production got it wrong or Cargill took a chance.

I like this approach for Charlotte. She’s a better heel than she is a babyface anyway, and the story of her playing into the boos each week could have her positioned as the next Dominik Mysterio, heat-wise. Plus, the segments don’t need to be long. Come out. Throw a fit. Soak in the reactions. Storm off. Maybe they’re finally going to get it right with her after all?

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– Charlotte and Aldis were walking and talking backstage. Aldis told Charlotte to be a leader, not leave and not throw a temper tantrum. Charlotte got back to her SUV to, in fact, leave, and Alexa Bliss stood there. Bliss told Charlotte that they should chat.

Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax

Before the match began, Tiffany Stratton’s music hit and Tiffy walked out to ringside. Stratton sat next to the commentary table, but she did not sit in on commentary. Cargill and Jax locked up to begin the match. Jax jawed at Tiffy and then turned her attention back to Cargill, taking Cargill down repeatedly. Jax mocked Cargill’s pose. Eventually, as the crowd chanted, “You can’t wrestle!” Cargill hit a flying shoulder tackle, which took Jax down. Jax bounced back and hit a Samoan Drop on Cargill before landing a leg drop for a two-count. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from break, Jax went to sit on Cargill, but Cargill moved. Cargill lifted Jax and delivered a Samoan Drop on Jax. Cargill suplexed Jax and landed a super-kick – plus a spinebuster – for a two-count. Cargill went for a boot, but Jax countered into a powerbomb. Jax stood on the second rope, but Cargill cut her off and pressed Jax to the mat. Cargil climbed to the top and landed a frog splash for a nice near-fall. Cargill tried to set up for Jaded, but Jax threw Cargill across the ring. Cargill came right back with a running kick to Jax’s head.

Out of nowhere, Naomi appeared and attacked Stratton. Cargill saw Naomi and took her attention away from Jax. As a result, Jax attacked Cargill, hit her finish and won the match.

Match result: Nia Jax defeated Jade Cargill to become the No. 1 Contender for the WWE Women’s Championship (10:03)

This was pretty good. Cargill really has improved her in-ring work and it shows in little ways – the way she fires up, the commitment to selling, etc. – and as such, these two worked hard to put on a good television match. I tend to wonder how this Naomi/Cargill program will eventually be blown off. Does it involve Bianca Belair? A Hell In A Cell? At this point, with the rinse/repeat stagnation in which they appear to be, it’s going to have to be something big. I’m not saying their feud isn’t working; I’m just saying it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. In the meantime, this was a nice offering from Jax and Cargill, even if I can’t say I’m thrilled to see another Cargill/Stratton match/program.

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– The Street Profits were walking backstage and ran into Michin and B-Fab. The women told the Profits that they look banged up, but they still look good. Montez Ford said something brief and the Profits continued their walk to the ring.

– A Becky Lynch vignette aired.

The Street Profits segment

Ford and Dawkins walked out with various parts of their body taped up, selling the impact of the TLC match a couple weeks ago. Ford said the Profits have been the talk of the town and they put on the greatest TLC match of all time a couple weeks ago. Ford said, “That’s right, the guerrilla fears us.” Ford said what happened is what will always happen, and it’s that the Street Profits will come out on top. Fraxiom’s music hit and they walked out with microphones. Nathan Frazer said it feels good to be on Friday Night SmackDown.

Frazer said the Profits could be the best tag team in the game right now. Fraxiom stepped into the ring and said Frazer Shawn Michales told them to take any opportunity they get. Axiom spoke up and said the tag titles would look great on Fraxiom. Dawkins said Fraxiom has one only two matches and he was wonder if they really think they deserve a title shot. Ford yelled about Fraxiom wanting a title shot. Aldis walked out, so you know what that means: Aldis booked a match between Fraxiom and the Profits right now. A referee showed up and the show went to a commercial break.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)

The match was joined in progress and Frazer had the upper hand, working over Dawkins. The action spilled outside and Dawkins ran Frazer into the corner of the commentary table. Axiom checked on Frazer and rolled Frazer back into the ring to beat the count. Ford tagged in and hit a splash on Frazer while selling rib pain. Ford kicked the back of Frazer and tagged in Dawkins, who landed a splash on Frazer for a two-count. Dawkins hit his spinning splash on Frazer in a corner for a two-count. Eventualy, Frazer fired up and kicked Dawkins before tagging Axiom into the match. Fraxiom executed an array of their quick moves, complete with dives to the outside. Frazer and Axiom fired up the crowd and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Frazer and Dawkins were both down in the middle of the ring. Axiom and Ford tagged in and Ford landed a bunch of clotheslines on Axiom. Ford hit a back suplex and continued to sell rib pain before launching into a standing moonsault for a two-count. Axiom kicked Ford and Frazer tagged in. Frazer rolled up Ford quickly, but then ran into a kick to the head from Ford. Ford was perched on the top rope and Frazer went to the top with him. Dawkins tagged himself in and put Frazer on his shoulders. From there, they hit the super-duper Blockbuster on Frazer, but Axiom broke up the pin attempt.

“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Ford went to the top, but jumped into a kick from Axiom. Dawkins then kicked Axiom. The match broke down and Frazer ran into a punch from Dawkins. With Dawkins on the top rope, Axiom hit a Spanish Fly and Frazer followed it up with a Phoenix Splash. At the very last tenth of a second, Ford broke up the pin attempt while attacking Axiom and all four men were down to reset the match.

Dawkins ran into a Golden Ratio from Axiom on the outside of the ring. Ford, meanwhile, went to the top rope inside the ring and missed a frog splash. Fraxiom connected with the Catapulta Infernal and that was enough to get them the win with Axiom pinning Ford.

Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) in a non-title match (13:25 of TV time)

After the match, the teams shook hands inside the ring and they all raised their arms together.

Fantastic stuff all around. I’m even sort of annoyed that I missed the first few minutes because the match started during a commercial break. The Profits told a great story, selling the pain from their TLC match a couple weeks ago and giving them an out for losing to the main roster rookies. Speaking of those main roster rookies, I can’t recall a better tag team debut run for a team in recent WWE memory. Motor City Machine Guns made a splash by winning the tag titles on their debut night, but the live crowds never seemed to buy into them. Fraxiom, however, seem to connect with the live crowds and their flashy, quick, aggressive offense is striking a chord. Run this back on a PLE with five more minutes and a title change and I’ll bet you 5,000 MJF Coins that it’s one of the best WWE matches of 2025.

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– Tiffy was looking for people backstage and ran into Jax and Tiffy said she’d save a spot at the loser’s table for Jax and it will be right next to Charlotte Flair.

– A video package on Gunther vs. Pat McAfee aired.

– The Miz was talking to Melo backstage and told him it’s all about him and showing everyone that Melo is the 10th Wonder Of The World. Miz said Melo will run the plays exactly as Miz designed them. Miz kept asking Melo, “Who’s Him?” Melo responded in kind. Miz yelled a lot. Miz and Melo made their entrance for the next match.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Aleister Black

The bell rang and the two stood in their respective corners. About 20 seconds into it, they locked up and traded hold attempts. Melo went for a springboard splash, but Black moved and the two stared at each other for a few seconds. Black kicked Melo and Melo wound up on the outside. Black followed up with a moonsault onto the floor. Black returned to the ring to break the count and ran at Melo, but missed and found himself hung up on the crowd barrier. Melo then dropkicked Black over the barrier and posed as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Black kicked Melo right in the face. Black followed up with a leaping knee, which took Melo down. The two were out on the canvas and the match reset. Back on their feet, the two traded blows. Black eventually got the best of it and hit a springboard moonsault from the second rope for a two-count. The two traded a handful of moves until Black slowed it back down with a Brainbuster. Miz hopped up on the apron and Black went over to him. Melo ran at Black, but Black moved and Melo hit Miz. Black then rolled up Melo for the win. After the match, Black hit Black Mass on Miz and sat in the entranceway.

Match result: Aleister Black defeated Carmelo Hayes (9:14)

This was as good as expected, but if we’re being honest, I was secretly hoping it would be better than expected. Between the finish and the post-match, it’s hard to think Miz, Melo and Black are now moving on from all this, so maybe we’ll soon get a 15-minute TV classic in the vein of the work Melo did with Andrade last year. Melo was great in selling the viciousness of Black’s strikes and Black was much smoother than he was last week against Miz. I like this slight shift in attitude for the Black character. Like he said in the vignette earlier, he’s not all smoke and mirrors and he’s not just a guy who speaks in riddles anymore. He feels like a real fighter now more than ever before. It’s subtle, but it’s needed.

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– Sikoa and Fatu were shown talking in a dark area backstage. Sikoa said they need a plan for Backlash and Fatu flipped out. He ended by calming down and saying he’s all gas and no breaks. He asked Sikoa if he knew what he meant and Sikoa said he did. Fatu walked away.

– Fraxiom ran into MCMG backstage and MCMG said it will eventually be Fraxiom vs. MCMG, but wouldn’t you know it – #DIY showed up and attacked both teams. Ciampa and Gargano focused more on Fraxiom and lectured them before storming off into the ether.

Rey Fenix & Andrade vs. Los Garza (Berto & Angel)

Fenix started the match and Los Garza put the boots to him. Berto became the legal man went to work on Fenix, complete with a dropkick for a two-count. Berto lifted Fenix, but Fenix knee’d his way out of it and tagged in Andrade. Angel tagged himself in and Berto knocked Fenix and Andrade to the outside. Berto and Angel went to the top and hit dueling moonsaults on Andrade and Fenix on the ringside floor. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Berto was working Andrade in the ring. Andrade eventually ducked a couple kicks and hit a Poison-Rana. Both guys were down and Andrade got the hot tag to Fenix. Angel tagged in as well and Fenix took care of both heels as Escobar looked annoyed. Angel lifted Fenix and kicked him in the chest. Things broke down and all four wrestlers executed moves on each other and all four were down in the middle of the ring. “This is awesome!” chants began. Angel and Fenix traded chops on their knees. Angel had Fenix in a corner and Berto tagged in to hit a moonsault on Fenix before Andrade broke up the pin attempt.

With Berto in a corner, Fenix hit a spinning animal kick. Escobar hopped onto the apron and distracted the ref as Berto had Fenix pinned. Fenix kicked out eventually and we were back to having all four wrestlers involved in the action. Andrade hit a back spinning elbow on Angel while Fenix landed the Adios Amigo on Berto. Fenix landed a splash on Angel outside the ring as Andrade hit The Message on Berto for the win.

Match result: Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Los Garza (Angel & Berto) (10:23)

After the match, Escobar entered the ring and scolded Berto, who slapped Escobar’s hand away from his chest. Berto left the ring and Angel looked confused. Berto stormed off to the back and Angel remained in the ring with Escobar.

It’s about time to split up Legado Del Fantasma, don’t we think? Elektra Lopez is out of the company. Los Garza keeps having solid tag team matches, but the faction is as cold as anything else on the show (which, to be fair, is a lot these days when it comes to SmackDown). Escobar, Berto and Angel are all very talented, but outside of these throwaway tag team matches that Berto and Angel are almost guaranteed to lose, they don’t have a lot behind them. As for this match, the four wrestlers delivered well enough, even if it was a bit odd to see Fenix team with someone not named Penta. Everybody worked hard, though, and there are many worse ways to fill 10-and-a-half-minutes on a show like this.

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– The commentary team ran down the card for Saturday’s Backlash show.

The John Cena segment

Cena made his entrance to a mixed response. The “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants were loud. Cena called in Ring Announcer Nash to do the introduction bit he’s been doing. Someone threw a Michelob Ultra bottle into the ring and Cena actually picked it up while stopping Nash from speaking. Cena threw the bottle out of the ring and told Nash to keep going. Nash completed his introduction and the crowd cheered as much as they booed. Cena snarled.

Cena said, “Tomorrow, your childhood dies.” He added that the reason they are reduced to throwing empty bottles of beer is because they know how important Backlash is. Cena noted how Randy Orton wasn’t there and Orton was smart for not being there. Cena said Orton is preparing for the biggest moment of his career. Cena said he first wrestled Orton 25 years ago and since then, they have shared almost 100 appearances together. Cena said they are the two names that define what it is to have “Ruthless Aggression.” Cena said if you are of a certain age, you either cheer Cena or Orton and the crowd cheered loudly for Cena.

Cena said at Backlash, it will be Cena vs. Orton for the final time. He reiterated that everyone’s childhood will die at Backlash. Cena said he will prove three things – life isn’t fair, winners write the history books and Randy Orton is a liar. Cena said the person Orton has been lying the most to has been himself. Cena brought up the Hustle, Loyalty and Respect stuff. Cena said Orton has used his stardom and connections to keep him from doing hard work. Cena said Orton is the GOAT of wasting his potential. Cena said Cena is the GOAT because “I am hustle.”

Cena called out Orton for cashing a check and called Orton lazy in clever way that included being a piece of furniture. Cena said Orton is over-celebrated and over-paid. Cena said Orton is the GOAT at doing the bare minimum. Cena said Cena is the GOAT because “I am loyalty.” Cena mocked Orton for reminding everyone that he’s a third-generation superstar. Cena said the only thing Orton has ever done in life is ride Cena’s coattails. Cena said at Backlash, Orton will kill the legend of Randy Orton. Cena said Orton will be “just like his 2006 drug test – a failure.” Cena said Orton is the GOAT at making a mockery of what a WWE superstar shoudl be. Cena said Cena is the GOAT because “I am respect.”

Cena said Saturday is a historic moment for WWE and he held up his belt saying he is what the last world champion looks like. Someone in a Randy Orton hoodie ran into the ring, but Cena gave him an AA. The Real Randy Orton then appeared and RKO’d Cena. Cena stood tall as the crowd cheered loudly for him. Orton picked up Cena’s belt and kissed it. Orton then held it high as his music played. The show ended with Orton looking to the crowd and holding up the title while standing on the second rope.

Cena felt rushed, but damn it if he didn’t memorize a ton of lines for this thing. Kudos to him for that. Turns out being a Hollywood superstar really can help certain aspects of your pro wrestling career. I wasn’t expecting much from this segment and I didn’t get much. It’s Cena ridiculing the fans, whining about everyone around him and giving his now-signature pouty face. It might have been novel when it started a couple months ago, but this is so one-note, it’s almost hard to watch. There’s no way Orton takes the strap off him at Backlash, but I’m already so over this Cena bit that I would actually be happy if they somehow decide to go with Orton in his hometown. Overall, this served as a fine-enough go-home show for Backlash, which is a below-mid PLE, so it doesn’t say much. Either way, below-mid knows below-mid. And I can attest to that.