Sports

'WWE SmackDown' Live Results: Will CM Punk Surprise John Cena?

‘WWE SmackDown’ Live Results: Will CM Punk Surprise John Cena? originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Friday’s episode of “WWE SmackDown” will be live, and Athlon Sports is providing coverage.

There are potential implications for “Night of Champions 2025” when the blue brand goes on the air. King and Queen of the Ring fatal four-way tournament matches will take place inside Rupp Arena in Lexington. Randy Orton will collide with LA Knight, Aleister Black, and Carmelo Hayes.

We will also see Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, and Michin share the ring in an effort to advance in the Queen of the Ring. That won’t be the only Queen of the Ring tournament match of the night. Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, and Candice LeRae will also be competing in a fatal four-way tourney match.

There will also be an appearance from Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. He will discuss CM Punk, who will challenge him for the gold at “Night of Champions” in Riyadh. Many are wondering if Punk will make a surprise appearance during the show.

Also, WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu made a big decision at “Money in the Bank 2025.” He turned on Solo Sikoa, preventing him from obtaining the MITB briefcase. Fatu pulled Sikoa and slammed him onto a ladder. Ultimately, Seth Rollins won the match. Will Fatu suffer repercussions from Sikoa and JC Mateo?

We’ll also hear from newly minted women’s MITB briefcase holder Naomi. She will address her plans now that she is guaranteed a future world title opportunity anytime she’s ready to cash in. Will anyone dare step to Naomi?

The live feed for “WWE SmackDown” will begin at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network. Live updates will be posted here throughout the show.

‘WWE SmackDown’ Live Results

John Cena got the show started to a big ovation, followed by “John Cena Sucks” chants to his theme music.

Cena said he should take up every spot on wrestling’s Mount Rushmore. He said he outmaneuvers everyone because he’s always smarter. Cena said he had a plan when he announced his retirement tour, and that was to scout potential opponents and flex his seniority to secure a “WrestleMania” spot.

The champion then turned his attention to CM Punk. He claimed to have backed Punk into a corner by exposing him for being a hypocrite if Punk shows up in Riyadh. Cena declared he’s the greatest of all time.

Cena was interrupted by a familiar foe. It was his “WrestleMania 41” opponent, Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes sarcastically called Cena a genius. “The American Nightmare” admitted that Cena manipulated things in his favor. Rhodes then reminded Cena that he pinned him at the conclusion of “Money in the Bank.” 

Randy Orton’s music hit, and “The Viper” made his way to the ring for the first time since “Backlash.”

Orton said he was going to kick Cena’s head clean off at “Backlash” before R-Truth got in his way. He then said he’ll do whatever it takes to get the Undisputed WWE Championship, even if it means going through Rhodes.

LA Knight then made his way out.

Knight said everyone in the ring represents the WWE establishment. He then warned Orton, Rhodes, and Cena that the Undisputed WWE Championship will eventually belong to him.

Cena had enough, and he walked out of the ring. R-Truth then ambushed Cena before security intervened.

King of the Ring Opening Round Match: Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes

Before the match began, Cena was shown arguing with “SmackDown” general manager Nick Aldis.

Orton, Knight, and Black took turns delivering shots to Hayes. Black then landed a springboard moonsault on Hayes. Knight, Orton, and Black all attempted finishers, but no dice.

Knight repeatedly slammed Hayes’ head on the announce desk. Orton went for a back suplex on Knight, but he escaped. “The Viper” settled for a back suplex on Black onto the announce table.

Hayes was on the top turnbuckle, but Black landed a step-up kick. Hayes recovered and hit a frog splash on Knight, but the pin attempt was disrupted by Black.

Orton went for an RKO on Black, but he was shoved off. Black then avoided a BFT. Orton hit snap powerslams on all his opponents. He went for a double draping DDT, but Knight scored a neckbreaker to send all of his opponents crashing down.

Knight landed BFT on Black, but Hayes made the save. Bronson Reed interfered and pulled Knight off the middle rope. Bron Breakker then dropped Knight with a spear. Hayes went for Nothing But Net, and while he did hit Knight, he also fell right into an RKO. Orton then pinned Knight for the win.

Winner: Randy Orton

Solo Sikoa Gives Jacob Fatu an Ultimatum

WWE United States Champion made his way out following his face turn at “Money in the Bank.”

Fatu said being family doesn’t mean you get to take credit. The champion said he had to remind Solo Sikoa what happens when “you don’t fit in where you get in.” Sikoa interrupted and spoke from an area backstage.

Sikoa said he made Fatu a superstar and made him a lot of money. He said he’s willing to take Fatu back in his group, but he must say, “I love you, Solo.” He then threatened to end Fatu’s WWE run if he doesn’t embrace him next week.

Chelsea Green Replaced, Giulia Plays Mind Games With Zelina Vega

Piper Niven and Alba Fyre gave Nick Aldis a phone with Chelsea Green on FaceTime. Green was unable to compete in a fatal four-way Queen of the Ring match, so Aldis ordered Fyre to take her place.

WWE Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega then walked in and demanded to face Giulia. Aldis informed Vega that Giulia isn’t in the building.

Queen of the Ring Opening Round: Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax vs. Piper Niven vs. Michin

Cargill sent Jax into the ring steps. She then landed a backbreaker on Michin in the ring. Michin ducked a clothesline and landed a hurricanrana. She then hit a dropkick before Niven pulled her out of the ring.

Jax delivered an elbow drop to Cargill in the ring. Meanwhile, Niven squashed Michin with a senton outside the ring. She returned to the ring and delivered another senton, but this time to Cargill.

Cargill brawled with Jax and Niven outside the ring. Michin wiped out everyone with a springboard moonsault.

Jax and Niven double-teamed Cargill. Niven went for a pin, but Jax would have none of it. Michin leaped off the turnbuckle and landed a hurricanrana on Jax. She then attempted a hurricanrana on Cargill, but she was dropped by a sit-down powerbomb.

Niven and Jax then ganged up on Cargill outside of the ring. They threw her over the announce table and into color commentator Wade Barrett.

In the ring, Jax and Niven landed a double chokeslam on Michin. Jax took out Niven and landed the Annihilator on Michin, but Niven broke up the pin attempt. Niven then drove Jax through the barricade.

Niven hit the Piper Bomb on Michin, but Cargill lifted her up and slammed her down for Jaded to pick up the win.

Winner: Jade Cargill

Naomi Reacts to MITB Win

Naomi entered the ring and said she took exactly what she deserved at “Money in the Bank.” She turned her attention to WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. Naomi said she has payback on her mind.

Stratton’s music then hit to interrupt Naomi.

The champion said Naomi talks a big game. Stratton then dared Naomi to cash in her briefcase now. Naomi then questioned if Stratton thought she was stupid. She vowed to cash in on the champion on her time, but she wants to make Stratton’s life “hell.”

When Naomi left the ring, Nia Jax attacked Stratton. She then landed the Annihilator. Naomi went to cash in, but Jax prevented her.

Tag Team Meeting Amid Wyatt Sicks Chaos

Nick Aldis held a meeting with the tag team division. He revealed that Motor City Machine Guns will face The Wyatts.

Commercial break in progress.

Related: Major Potential ‘WWE SmackDown’ Spoiler on Absent Superstar

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *