‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (May 23rd 2025)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Money in the Bank Ladder Triple Threat Qualifier – Giulia def. Zelina Vega and Charlotte Flair
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
When Charlotte Flair trapped Zelina Vega in the Figure-Eight Leglock, SmackDown’s newest acquisition Giulia leaped at The Queen from the top rope and took out her knee. Moments later, Giulia hit Vega with the Northern Lights Bomb and pinned the Women’s United States Champion to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Tommaso Ciampa def. Chris Sabin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Although the disruptive Johnny Gargano was neutralized at ringside, Candice LaRae emerged to drop Chris Sabin onto the ropes as Tommaso Ciampa was feigning an injury and keeping the official busy. With an exposed knee, Ciampa then charged and smashed his fallen opponent to steal a win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Michin & B-Fab def. Piper Niven & Alba Fyre
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Zelina Vega charged to ringside stop Chelsea Green from interfering. This created enough ringside bedlam to distract Green’s Secret Hervice and allowed Michin to hit Eat Defeat and B-Fab to connect with Fabulous for the three-count on Alba Fyre.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo def. Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With a little help from Solo Sikoa on the apron, reluctant partners Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo worked together to beat Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix after Mateo executed Tour of the Islands.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Money in the Bank Ladder Triple Threat Qualifier – LA Knight def. Aleister Black and Shinsuke Nakamura
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Seconds after Aleister Black hit Shinsuke Nakamura with Black Mass, LA Knight tossed Black out of the ring and pinned Nakamura to qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: The Street Profits vs Fraxiom (No-Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
When #DIY interfered in The Street Profits’ title defense against Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns rushed in to engage them and ignited a brawl. During the ringside melee, Montez Ford looked ready to finish the tough challenger. Before he could, however, the arena suddenly went dark. When the lights came back on, The Wyatt Sicks had suddenly returned to obliterate everybody in sight.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s show felt like a missed opportunity despite some major developments. The return of the Wyatt Sicks lacked the impact many fans had hoped for, and while the Money in the Bank qualifiers featured big names like Charlotte Flair and LA Knight, the men’s match felt rushed and uninspired. The tag team bouts and DIY’s reformation came off more as filler than meaningful progress. R-Truth’s promo was a rare emotional highlight in an otherwise forgettable episode that failed to build much real momentum heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event.
