'WWE SmackDown' Live Results: Cody Rhodes Addresses John Cena Before MITB, Major Hometown Return
'WWE SmackDown' Live Results: Cody Rhodes Addresses John Cena Before MITB, Major Hometown Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the clock winds down to "Money in the Bank 2025," WWE is set to air the penultimate episode of "SmackDown."
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Friday's live episode will feature two qualifiers for the MITB ladder match set for June 7. WWE's biggest star of the present will once again confront the company's top ace of the past. "Friday Night SmackDown" will also feature the return of one prominent talent, who has been out of action since "WrestleMania 41."
Following Cody Rhodes' shocking appearance at the conclusion of "Saturday Night's Main Event," the former Undisputed WWE Champion is back on the blue brand. He is set to address John Cena ahead of MITB, where the two will collide in tag team action.
In a men's triple threat MITB qualifier, WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu will look to add another distinction to his resume. He'll share the ring with Carmelo Hayes and Andrade.
Three superstars will also be vying for a spot in the women's MITB match. Fierce rivals Jade Cargill and Naomi will collide with Nia Jax in triple threat action. Who will punch their ticket to WWE's most important ladder match of the year?
That's not all, as a former multi-time world champion is set to make her return. After suffering a hand injury in her heavily praised triple threat match against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley at "WrestleMania," Bianca Belair makes her way back to a WWE ring in her hometown.
"WWE SmackDown" will air live on USA Network at 8 p.m. ET. Athlon Sports will be bringing you live coverage throughout the show.
'WWE SmackDown' Results
Bianca Belair opened the show in her first appearance since April.
Belair led the crowd in singing "Rocky Top." She said she needed to return to Knoxville to heal. Belair admitted she isn't 100 percent. She called herself the "EST" of Tennessee, which drew a big ovation from the crowd.
Naomi then interrupted Belair. Belair was not receptive to Naomi's arrival.
Naomi said she just wants Belair's forgiveness. She then admitted that she went into Belair's house uninvited and went through her photobook.
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Belair told Naomi that if she ever goes near her parents again, then she'll hurt her worse than what she did to Jade Cargill. Naomi said it would be a shame if Belair and her mother were in a wheelchair.
Things nearly broke down between the two, but Cargill stormed the ring and tossed Naomi through the middle rope. Nia Jax then made her way out for the women's MITB qualifier.
Women's MITB Qualifier: Jade Cargill vs. Naomi vs. Nia Jax
Naomi had Cargill seated in the corner. She then delivered a running dropkick. Naomi scored with the split-legged drop. Jax charged in, but Naomi moved, and Jax landed a hip attack on Cargill.
Naomi went for a crossbody, but Cargill caught her and landed a fallaway slow. Jax broke up the pin before landing a Samoan drop on Cargill.
Jax went high-risk and landed a leg drop on Naomi for a near fall. Jax and Naomi agreed to team up against Naomi. That agreement was short-lived, as Jax pulled Naomi off Cargill during a pin attempt.
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Cargill hit a spinebuster on Jax. She then nailed Naomi with Jaded, but Jax broke up the pin. Cargill and Naomi were brawling, but Jax took both of them out with a crossbody.
Cargill hit a splash on Jax and Naomi for a near fall. Cargill went for a superplex, but Jax wiped out both of her opponents with a Tower of Doom. Jax stacked Cargill and Naomi, but she only hit Cargill.
Naomi then scored a crucifix pin on Jax.
Winner: Naomi
R-Truth Meets JC Mateo
Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and JC Mateo ran into R-Truth backstage. Sikoa poked fun at R-Truth for talking to himself. R-Truth touched Sikoa's arm and asked him if he had a problem.
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Mateo was going to attack R-Truth, but Sikoa prevented him. R-Truth then told Mateo he's seen him in a day in his life.
He then asked Sikoa if Mateo is his son. R-Truth then called Mateo "husky" and asked Sikoa if he could teach his "husky son" a lesson in the ring. Sikoa obliged.
Fatu then told Sikoa and Mateo that they could have fun on their own. He said he has business to handle on his own.
Related: WWE Expected to Sign Former AEW World Champion Imminently
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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