Drew McIntyre claymores Jacob Fatu, multiple tag team matches, Naomi attacks Tiffany Stratton & more!
The May 09 episode of Friday Night SmackDown served as the go-home show for Backlash 2025, which is the first PLE after WrestleMania 41 and is set for May 10th in St. Louis.
This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown aired live from the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. Stars set to battle at the PLE met for the final time, while the rest of the storylines continued as usual. Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena was set for an appearance ahead of his first title defense, while Jade Cargill and Nia Jax battled for the number one contender spot for the WWE Women’s title.
Damian Priest and LA Knight teamed up to face Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa in a tag team match. Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winner’s list for the 05/09 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Damian Priest – LA Knight
Damian Priest was headed to the ring as Byron Saxton approached him, asking about the fatal four-way match for the US Title at Backlash. Priest stated that he had his target set on Drew McIntyre, but if he won the US Title, he had no complaints.
LA Knight walked in, cutting a promo for the Backlash clash and warning Priest, before mentioning tonight’s tag team match. Priest responded that he would have Knight’s back, but wasn’t sure if Knight would have his. Knight replied, stating he didn’t think that was an issue.
Damian Priest & LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa
The team of Damian Priest and LA Knight battled Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu in the first match of the May 09 show. However, miscommunications, arguments, and involuntary tags made things easy for Sikoa and Fatu, who failed to pick up the win as Knight landed BFT on Solo to seal the victory.
After the match, Damian Priest confronted LA Knight, and a brawl broke out. But then, here came Jacob Fatu, taking down both men, slamming Priest and Knight onto the ring post, followed by a running hip attack.
Fatu stood tall, demanding his title and flaunting it, but out of nowhere, Drew McIntyre appeared and took out Fatu with a Claymore. McIntyre now stood tall with the United States Title as the three men lay flat on the mat.
Backstage
Drew McIntyre was backstage when Byron Saxton walked in, asking why he took out Jacob Fatu with the Claymore. McIntyre cut a promo, stating he would do the same tomorrow. He went off on LA Knight, saying that Knight lost but was still in the match.
McIntyre also called out Damian Priest for being in the match, despite having already beaten him at WrestleMania, calling the situation “BS.” Drew then turned his attention to Jacob Fatu, warning him about what was coming at Backlash.
Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss vs Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
In an impromptu match, Alexa Bliss turned out to be Zelina Vega’s tag team partner, the Ohio crowd welcomed one of their own with open arms. The match itself was a lot of back and forth between Vega and Green, with the latter using Niven to inflict as much damage as possible.
In the final moments of the match, Zelina Vega entered the ring to land the super code red but struggled until a little help from Alexa Bliss gave her the boost. Vega then hit a running drop knee, taking out Niven ringside.
Chelsea Green tried to capitalize, but Alexa Bliss caught her and turned it into the Sister Abigail, sending the Ohio crowd into a frenzy. Bliss then went for the cover, securing the win in the tag team match.
Backstage
Rey Fenix was backstage when Santos Escobar walked in, but Fenix was in no mood to talk. He stated that he had already defeated Escobar and wasn’t interested in a conversation.
Escobar calmed him down, as Fenix signaled for him to go ahead. Santos replied, “Who said anything about a conversation?” just before Angel and Berto ambushed Fenix. Legado Del Fantasma began to batter Fenix, security and officials rushed in to diffuse the situation. Andrade also appeared, checking up on Fenix.
Charlotte Flair – Jade Cargill
Charlotte Flair stepped into the ring and grabbed the mic, announcing that the Queen had arrived. She called her WrestleMania 41 clash the greatest match, stating that despite her knee injury, she took ‘their’ champion to the absolute limit.
Flair pointed to Tiffany Stratton’s image from WrestleMania 41, asking if that’s the face that enjoyed the match. Flair declared her path back to the WWE Title as the crowd continued to boo. She went off on the fans, stating that she is the Greatest of All Time and yet still receives all the boos and hate.
Flair lashed out at the crowd, warning that if she heard one more chant, she would leave Dayton. The crowd erupted with boos, which only irked Flair more. She threw down the mic and exited the ring.
Just as Flair was leaving, Jade Cargill’s music hit, and she made her entrance. Flair and Cargill came face-to-face as Charlotte exited, and Jade stepped into the ring. Cargill picked up the mic, stating that Charlotte had her chance, but now she would have to go back to the line.
Backstage
Charlotte Flair and General Manager Nick Aldis were backstage, engaged in a heated argument. Aldis stated that this is how professionals behave, leaving Flair baffled by the comment as their argument continued.
Flair stormed off and made her way to her car, instructing the driver to take her to the airport. Just as she was about to get in, the door almost shut in her face when Alexa Bliss appeared near her car. Bliss greeted Flair before the scene shifted back to the arena, where Nia Jax made her way to the ring for the #1 Contender’s match for the Women’s Title against Jade Cargill.
Jade Cargill vs Nix Jax: #1 Contenders match for WWE Women’s Championship
As announced, Jade Cargill and Nia Jax battled in a #1 Contender’s match, with Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton at ringside, seemingly cheering for Cargill. The two stars delivered an impressive match with both showcasing incredible power.
However, both were unable to take each other out until Naomi appeared and ambushed Stratton ringside. Cargill turned her attention to Naomi, but Jax capitalized on the opportunity to land the anhilator and pick up the win to become the number one contender.
The Street Profits – Fraxiom
Montez Ford picked up the mic and rallied the crowd, stating that they’ve been the talk of the town after delivering the greatest TLC match of all time. Montez then declared that what happened in that match would always be the case – they would always come out on top.
Fraxiom’s music hit, and Nathan Frazer and Axiom appeared. Frazer was hyped up, ready to confront the tag champs, and revealed that Shawn Michaels had told them to take every opportunity.
Axiom then said the tag titles would look good on them. Angelo Dawkins asked if Fraxiom wanted a title shot after winning just two matches, while Ford was equally baffled, asking if Fraxiom expected a title shot after only three weeks in the promotion.
General Manager Nick Aldis walked in, stating that he liked what he was seeing. While he agreed Fraxiom didn’t deserve a title shot, he announced a tag team match between the two.
The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
This was another tag team match that delivered way above expectations as the Street Profits fought through their wounds, while Fraxiom showcased why they deserved the title shot. The tag team action saw multiple near pinfalls and high-flying action.
In the final moments of the match, Axiom took out Angelo with a golden axel ringside as Ford climbed to the top rope but missed the drop, crashing down and taking the full impact on his injured ribs. Fraxiom then lined up Ford for the finish, with Axiom and Frazer landing the catapulta onto Ford before going for the cover, defeating the WWE Tag Team Champions.
Backstage
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was backstage, searching for Naomi after the attack earlier. Nia Jax then confronted Stratton, stating that she shouldn’t worry about Naomi but about her, as she was coming for the title. Stratton fired back, claiming that Jax would be beaten and would join the losers’ table alongside Charlotte Flair.
Carmelo Hayes and The Miz were backstage, with Miz stating that last week was all about getting the film on Aleister Black. Miz continued to hype up Hayes, repeating that he would run the play exactly as planned by the A-lister.
Alesiter Black vs Carmelo Hayes
In his second match after his return last month, Aleister Black took on Carmelo Hayes, while he took control early a botched kick attempt near the barricade saw Hayes emerge on top as he battered Black but was unable to finish him.
Aleister lined up Hayes for the finish, but The Miz interfered as Hayes tried to capitalize. Black saw it coming, ducked, and caused Carmelo to accidentally take out Miz. Black then rolled up Hayes for the cover, securing his second win in a row. Miz attempted to attack Aleister but ate a Black Mass for his trouble. Hayes watched in disbelief as Black exited the ring.
Backstage
Solo Sikoa stated that the numbers game was against them and that they needed a game plan for tomorrow. Fatu responded, saying he just needed to handle it tomorrow, as he would “dog walk” Damian Priest, LA Knight, and Drew McIntyre because he’s all gas, no brakes.
Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) was backstage, celebrating their win against the WWE Tag Team Champions when the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) walked in to congratulate them on the victory.
Shelley stated that Fraxiom had to be ready, as one day they would face the MCMG. Suddenly, DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) appeared out of nowhere, ambushing both MCMG and Fraxiom. Ciampa made a statement, sending a warning to Fraxiom.
Andrade & Rey Fenix vs Los Garzas (Angel & Berto)
After the unprovoked attack backstage, Rey Fenix teamed up with Andrade to battle Los Garzas in a tag team clash. Santos Escobar was ringside during the match and distracted the official as Fenix landed the animal kick. As Fenix was covering, Berto rolled him up, but the distraction worked against the cover.
Andrade then delivered a big elbow, taking out Angel. Fenix followed up with the Adios Amigo kick, going flying and taking out Angel outside. Andrade then delivered the message, securing the win against Los Garzas.
After the match, Escobar got in the ring as Angel checked on Berto. Escobar started yelling at Berto, pointing at him, but Berto slapped Escobar’s hands furiously in response. Berto then stormed off, leaving Escobar visibly angry, while Angel stood there, taken aback by the situation that had unfolded.
John Cena – Randy Orton
John Cena made his way into the ring and once again called out announcer Mark Nash. The champion, unimpressed by Nash’s job, waited as the announcer stepped into the ring to announce the G.O.A.T. Once again, a bottle was thrown into the ring, prompting Cena to halt the announcement. He picked up the bottle, threw it away in disgust, and signaled for Nash to finish the announcement.
Cena then grabbed the mic and declared that tomorrow, the fans’ childhood would die. He shifted his attention to Randy Orton, revealing that Orton wasn’t present tonight and was spending time with his family in St. Louis.
Cena recapped his rivalry with Orton, cutting a promo to hype up the crowd for their clash, saying tomorrow would be the final match. He repeated that the fans’ dreams would die, even if they were between the ages of 5 and 11.
The Undisputed Champion blasted Orton, claiming that he hadn’t put in the hard work and was only here because of his family, while Cena was the G.O.A.T. because he embodied HUSTLE. Cena then called Orton a “lazy boy,” stating that Orton’s status as a regular wasn’t loyalty, but just cashing in paychecks. He further slammed Orton as overpaid and overcelebrated.
Finally, Cena declared that Orton may be considered the G.O.A.T. for doing the bare minimum, but he, Cena, was the true G.O.A.T. because of his loyalty. While dissing Randy Orton’s father, Bob Orton, Cena declared that tomorrow, Randy Orton would kill the legend of Randy Orton, comparing him to his 2006 drug test – a failure.
Cena boldly stated that he was the greatest of all time because he embodied respect. He finished the segment by flaunting the title. Suddenly, a man who resembled Randy Orton attacked Cena and went for the RKO, but Cena quickly fired back, taking him down with an Attitude Adjustment.
Cena then went to flaunt the title again, but this time, the real Randy Orton appeared and flatlined Cena with a vicious RKO! Orton picked up the title, kissed it, and flaunted it in front of the Dayton crowd as the SmackDown show came to a close.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair returned
- Damian Priest & LA Knight defeated Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa
- Zelina Vega & Alexa Bliss defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
- Nix Jax pinned Jade Cargill: #1 Contenders match for WWE Women’s Championship
- Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)
- Alesiter Black defeated Carmelo Hayes
- Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Los Garzas (Angel & Berto)
- Randy Orton RKO’d John Cena
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