WWE SmackDown takeaways: Alexa Bliss returns, John Cena RKO'd by Randy Orton again

USA Today

10-05-2025

WWE SmackDown takeaways: Alexa Bliss returns, John Cena RKO'd by Randy Orton again
WWE Friday Night SmackDown on May 9 took place at Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio, and featured John Cena delivering his final remarks to Randy Orton before tomorrow's PLE.
The go-home episode for Backlash saw Charlotte Flair get booed out of the building, Aleister Black get a win over Carmelo Hayes, and the team of Rey Fenix and Andrade pick up a win over Berto and Angel, which caused Santos Escobar to lose his temper.
Check out the top takeaways from this episode:
LA Knight, Damian Priest reluctantly work together – momentarily
This week's show started off quickly with a tag team match between LA Knight and Damian Priest against Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. Before the match, Knight and Priest hashed things out backstage, agreeing to work together before their fatal 4-way match at Backlash.
Fast-forward to the match, and it was a solid offering. Knight and Priest pretty much dominated, even though they couldn't get on the same page. Priest tagged himself in as Knight went to the middle rope for his signature elbow, and then Knight tagged himself back in when Priest looked for his South of Heaven chokeslam. While they argued about who was going to finish the match, they were blindsided.
Sikoa went for a Samoan Spike, but got countered into a BFT for the pin. Since the match was over, and everyone became enemies again, Knight and Priest went at it until Fatu cleared the ring. As the US champ celebrated with his title, he turned around just in time to eat a Claymore from Drew McIntyre.
This was a solid opening match and a good way to hype up Saturday's fatal 4-way, even if it was predictable. Fatu should retain the title at Backlash, but given the names involved, fans will likely be happy no matter who walks out with the US title.
Alexa Bliss returns to tag with Zelina Vega
After her huge return at Royal Rumble, and a follow-up PLE at Elimination Chamber, Alexa Bliss quickly became a question mark, until now. She became absent for whatever reason after Chamber, leaving many to wonder what was going on. Well, on the Friday before Backlash, she returned as a mystery partner with the current women's US champ, Zelina Vega against Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
After Vega started the match and eventually got outworked, Bliss entered the match on a hot tag and started showing out. A few moments later, Bliss reversed Green into a Sister Abigail DDT for the pin.
While it's nice to see WWE finally give Zelina Vega a title push, she was put in a spot here to be completely outshined by Bliss. Vega's theme music is unrecognizable (it's also not good for a theme as it sounds like a transition beat), which doesn't help the crowd pop for her entrances. It's a shame for Vega, but expected that the crowd would pop louder for Bliss' music when she revealed her as a mystery tag partner.
Anyway, Bliss looked great during the match. Everything was sharp and the crowd responded well. Where does it go from here? We'll have to wait and see, but if she's back for a consistent schedule now, put her in a title program quickly.
Jade Cargill shines, loses No. 1 contender match vs. Nia Jax
In a powerhouse vs. super powerhouse match for No. 1 contender status for Tiffany Stratton's title, Jade Cargill and Nia Jax went at it.
It's rare that Cargill will not be the strongest competitor in the ring, so for this one, we got to see more rarely used moves from her. Cargill definitely still showed off her power by slamming Jax in a variety of ways, but also showed off some quickness with super kicks and some high-flying ability with a beautiful frog splash. However, none of it mattered.
Just as Cargill was looking to close out the match, Naomi appeared to attack Stratton. This distracted Cargill from attempting Jaded, and she went at Naomi. Jax intercepted, though, and a moment later was pinned after an Annihilator.
Fraxiom get surprise win over Street Profits
The Street Profits took mics to the ring to take a victory lap after the incredible TLC match turned in a few weeks ago. The short promo didn't quite hit as Ford messed up the "O-H, I-O" chant, but the crowd appreciated the tag team nonetheless as they were still selling bumps and bruises from what they declared to be the greatest TLC match ever.
Out of nowhere, Fraxiom's music filled the speakers.
The new SmackDown team gleefully made their way to the ring to challenge the Profits to a tag title match. Not only did the Profits think they didn't deserve a title shot because they just arrived, but they were clearly in no condition to compete at their best.
Thank you, @RealNickAldis! 🙌
Fraxiom wanted a match against The Street Profits and they got one! 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Ms8cViQcW3 — WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2025
Regardless, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis made the match, without the titles on the line so Fraxiom could earn a shot.
As usual, I'm never big on a challenger taking on the champion in a non-title match to earn a shot at the same champion for a title match. It's ridiculous. However, the match cooked. The hobbled Profits still put on a banger with Fraxiom, which was made more believable due to the champs' ailments.
Yes, Fraxiom won, which made for an important moment for a fun, high-flying team. Now it appears they'll clash again with the titles on the line, but next time, the Profits will likely be 100%, which shouldn't bode well for Fraxiom.
John Cena gets RKO'd, again
Well, well, well, look who it is. John Cena decided to grace the WWE Universe with his presence the day before Backlash to cut a promo on Randy Orton. During his second introduction by Mark Nash, a fan threw an empty beer bottle at Cena's feet. Cena rolled with it, pausing the intro to slowly pick up the bottle, and dismisingly toss it out of the ring before allowing Nash to continue.
"Tomorrow, your childhood dies," Cena said as he started his promo.
Cena attacked Orton's character, labeling him as a liar, mostly to himself. Cena used his own tagline of "hustle, loyalty, respect" to break down Orton's shortcomings. He called him out for being protected and never held accountable by the WWE for his past actions. Cena went on to take shots at Orton's family legacy and accused him of riding off his coattails.
"He'll be just like his 2006 drug test – a failure," Cena said.
As Cena finished up, a masked man figured to be Orton appeared out of nowhere to deliver an RKO, but the man wasn't Orton. Cena hit an AA on the mystery man and returned to hoisting the title high. Then the real Orton appeared to connect with the RKO, marking the third time Orton has stood tall over Cena leading up to the PLE.
DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE VIPER! 🐍
Is this a preview of what's to come TOMORROW at #WWEBacklash?! 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NEXX2je0j0 — WWE (@WWE) May 10, 2025
Cena's promo was solid, but seeing Orton stand tall again just screams he'll be losing at Backlash. It's great we're getting heel Cena vs. babyface Orton for the first time ever, but it's hard to envision a scenario in which Cena loses the title until his final PLE. Hell, he could very well take the title home like he said previously.