WWE SmackDown Full Recap, Results, Highlights, and Review – April 18, 2025

Our recap and review of this week’s WWE SmackDown highlights and results from Cleveland, Ohio.

WWE SmackDown Results

• Carmelo Hayes wins Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last eliminating Andrade
• WWE Tag Team Championship: The Street Profits (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Match ends in a no-contest
• Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green
• LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa via DQ
• LA Knight & Braun Strowman def. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu
• Rey Mysterio, Rey Fenix & Dragon Lee def. American Made

WWE SmackDown Highlights

Seth Rollins Promo

Seth Rollins opened SmackDown with a fiery promo, sat cross-legged in the ring à la Punk, addressing CM Punk’s return and Roman Reigns’ privileged status.

Rollins called Punk a fraud who came back to WWE not for the fans but for a paycheck.

He expressed his frustration with the business and how he had been underappreciated despite his sacrifice, especially when it came to his role in the past with The Shield.

Rollins promised to do whatever it took to move WWE forward, even if that meant sacrificing everything.

Okay, @wwerollins.. we see you channeling your inner @CMPunk 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fNPWYkKR3L

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Winner: Carmelo Hayes
Final Four: Carmelo Hayes, Andrade, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura

The annual battle royal saw several notable names left off the WrestleMania card battle it out. Rey Fenix looked dominant before being eliminated by a mystery man in disguise—El Grande Americano (Chad Gable was eliminated earlier). The final showdown between Hayes and Andrade delivered thrilling near-finishes before Hayes secured the win.

CONGRATS CARMELO!!!@Carmelo_WWE is the 2025 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner! 🏆#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fCf7zPYXEI

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025

Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill Collide in Chaotic Segment

Rhea Ripley opened the segment with a candid promo, itting she lost focus during her last title defence but made it clear her eyes are locked on regaining the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Before Ripley could say more, reigning champion Iyo Sky made her entrance, cutting her off.

Things escalated quickly when Bianca Belair’s music hit. The crowd gave Belair a surprisingly negative reaction, but she shrugged it off and confidently stated that she intends to walk out of WrestleMania as champion.

Naomi interrupted next, taking Belair to task for arriving on SmackDown and not even reaching out. Naomi claimed she’d been calling and messaging Belair for weeks, accusing her of ignoring their friendship.

Naomi questioned if Belair was more concerned about Jade Cargill than her. Right on cue, Cargill power-walked to the ring, demanding answers. Naomi, now visibly nervous, hid behind Belair before rolling out of the ring. Cargill accused Belair of protecting Naomi, which Belair denied. Just as things hit a boiling point, Ripley stepped between the two, reminding everyone that this wasn’t about Cargill.

Naomi slid back into the ring and shoved Jade into Ripley, who crashed into Belair. That sparked an all-out brawl between all four women, with Iyo Sky ultimately soaring through the air and wiping out everyone with her signature Over the Moonsault.

This has gone off the rails! 😱@Iyo_SkyWWE had to remind EVERYONE who the Women's World Champion is 👊#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/E9tkPbjKmI

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025

WWE Tag Team Championship – The Street Profits (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Having been left off the WrestleMania card, The Street Profits defended their titles against the Motor City Machine Guns.

While the match delivered some solid action, it was cut short by the interference of DIY. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa attacked both teams and stole the titles, leaving everyone wondering where this storyline will go, possibly setting up a multi-team title match at WrestleMania.

However, Nick Aldis later announced a TLC match between The Street Profits, DIY and Motor City Machine Guns next week on SmackDown.

Randy Orton Issues WrestleMania Open Challenge

Randy Orton made an appearance in the ring, addressing his status for WrestleMania. The Viper revealed that, as of now, he doesn’t have an opponent for the big event — but made it crystal clear he won’t be sitting this one out.

With this year marking what would be his 20th WrestleMania, Orton said there was “no way in hell” he’d miss the showcase of the immortals. He officially issued an open challenge for WrestleMania, leaving the door wide open for any potential opponent, from current roster to surprise returns.

Zelina Vega vs. Chelsea Green

In a quick and fun contest, Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green with a spectacular Code Red from the second rope, putting Vega in a position for a possible future title shot.

LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa

The match started with a fiery brawl, but chaos ensued when Jacob Fatu interfered, causing a disqualification. Braun Strowman made the save, setting up a tag team match.

LA Knight & Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu

After the interference in the previous match, this tag team bout saw LA Knight and Braun Strowman team up to take on Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. The match ended with a big win for Knight and Strowman, though it lacked the excitement of previous encounters.

Rey Mysterio, Rey Fenix & Dragon Lee vs. American Made

This was a solid six-man tag match that saw luchadores unite taking on American Made, featuring Chad Gable and the Creed Brothers, Julius and Brutus.

The luchadores ended up winning, but unfortunately, Rey Mysterio picked up a leg injury that puts the El Grande Americano ‘Mania match in jeopardy. Hopefully, they’ll give the spot to Fenix or Dragon Lee rather than scrap it altogether. The story is there.

Cody Rhodes and John Cena Face-To-Face

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes kicked off what was supposed to be a heartfelt message to the fans — until John Cena’s music hit and the tone shifted dramatically. In what could be described as a full heel turn, Cena berated Rhodes and the crowd, claiming he was retiring on his , unlike other “pathetic cowards” who depend on the WWE Universe’s approval.

Cena delivered a scathing promo, accusing Rhodes of weakness for caring about the fans and warning that it would cost him the title at WrestleMania. “The people don’t write history,” Cena declared. “Winners do.”

Rhodes fired back with one of his sharpest promos to date, calling Cena “overrated, overbearing, out of touch, and out of time”. He capped it with a savage jab: “It’s 2025, and Cena STILL can’t wrestle.” The crowd exploded.

JAW DROPPED!@CodyRhodes just roasted @JohnCena 😮‍💨#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UowXSlzJB1

— WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025

The confrontation ended when Cena cheap-shotted Rhodes with an eye poke and tried to land the Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes reversed it into a thunderous Crossroads to stand tall heading into WrestleMania.