‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (May 30th 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: Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Naomi def. Jade Cargill and Nia Jax
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Naomi is officially headed to Los Angeles to compete in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match after defeating her rival Jade Cargill as well as Nia Jax. The caution tape clad Superstar shined early but the inevitable power of Cargill evened the playing field, but it was a Jax leg drop from the top rope that nearly ended the match early. Cargill nailed Naomi with Jaded, but Jax bulldozed her opponents to break up the pin and kept the match alive, and a subsequent Super Samoan Drop from Jax and a huge splash from Cargill couldn’t end the bout either. Jax set both Naomi and Cargill up for an Annihilator, but she only hit Cargill and Naomi promptly rolled Jax up to score the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: JC Mateo def. R-Truth
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
JC Mateo massacred R-Truth while a gleeful Solo Sikoa watched at ringside. Truth did his best to channel his childhood hero John Cena, but his attempt at an AA went awry as Mateo squashed him and hit Tour of The Islands to win the match. After the match, Jimmy Uso saved R-Truth from a further beatdown.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #3: Los Garza def. Rey Fenix & Je’Von Evans
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Angel and Berto stole a victory and it was all thanks to NXT North American Champion Ethan Page. Rey Fenix and NXT’s Je’Von Evans formed an incredible makeshift team and used their incredible high-flying skills to keep Los Garza off balance. The teamwork of Berto and Angel kept them in the match as they cut off the ring and forced the young Evans to endure a brutal attack. Fenix earned the momentum back for his team and Evans hit a dazzling Swanton Bomb to the outside, but Page made his presence felt by knocking Evans off the top rope, allowing Los Garza to hit MTY and win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Zelina Vega def. Alba Fyre
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Women’s United States Championship was not on the line but Zelina Vega competed as if it was as she defeated Alba Fyre in a competitive matchup. A masked Chelsea Green was nursing her nose injury, but that didn’t stop her from tripping up Vega as Piper Niven distracted the official. Still, Vega persevered and at one point ran into Green on the outside, but the former United States Champion accidentally clocked Niven with her mask. Vega proceeded to maneuver around Green to hit a match-ending Code Red.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Andrade def. Carmelo Hayes and Jacob Fatu
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
El Idolo is one step closer to becoming Mr. Money in the Bank as he conquered Carmelo Hayes and United States Champion Jacob Fatu in a Triple Threat Match Qualifying Match. The Miz attempted to help Hayes by grabbing Fatu’s foot, but he paid dearly for it as The Samoan Werewolf launched The Miz into the barrier and hit him with a devastating Hip Attack. Fatu went for broke but his Hip Attack on both Superstars missed as they dove out of the way, forcing the champion to crash through the barricade in spectacular fashion. Somehow, Fatu re-entered the fray but he couldn’t find a way to punch his ticket to Los Angeles. Just then, Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo came down to ringside, but their presence backfired as they accidentally distracted Fatu just as Jimmy Uso arrived on the scene. Amidst the chaos, Andrade knocked out Hayes with The Message to qualify for Money in the Bank.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
SmackDown truly disappointed this week… Bianca Belair’s hometown pop evaporated when her promo turned into a crowd-killing hype reel. Naomi’s Money in the Bank qualifier saw her beat Nia Jax and Jade Cargill, yet sloppy timing and Jax’s awkward dive drew groans. Cena and Cody Rhodes came to blows, but the recycled pull-apart felt like déjà-vu rather than escalation. Zelina Vega’s match against Alba Fyre, whilst not a title defence, ended in another cheap distraction finish. At the same time, a chaotic Andrade/Fatu/Hayes triple threat thankfully managed to end the show on a much-needed high!
