WWE Friday Night SmackDown returned last night, May 23, 2025, broadcasting live from the EnMarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia. The episode highlighted various matches in anticipation of the upcoming Money in the Bank event set for next month in Inglewood, California.
One of the key matches featured the WWE Tag Team Champions, The Street Profits, defending their titles against Fraxiom, consisting of Axiom and Nathan Frazer. The show included several Money in the Bank qualifying matches, including a triple threat in the men’s division featuring LA Knight, Aleister Black, and Shinsuke Nakamura, alongside a women’s triple threat with Charlotte Flair, Giulia, and Zelina Vega.
The evening kicked off with an intense brawl between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest, immediately setting a high-energy tone. A recap of Tiffany Stratton’s title defense from the previous week led to her confrontation with both Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. The two veterans aimed to reclaim their positions at the top of the women’s division, foreshadowing their intentions for the Money in the Bank briefcase.
In a standout moment, Giulia triumphed over Zelina Vega and Charlotte Flair in a qualifying match, securing her chance to compete for the coveted briefcase. Meanwhile, Tommaso Ciampa defeated Chris Sabin in another critical match, aided by unexpected interference from Candice LeRae.
The action continued as Fraxiom expressed their determination in a backstage interview before their match against The Street Profits. The tag team contest was fast-paced, with both teams exchanging impressive maneuvers. However, the match ended in chaos when the lights went out, revealing the Wyatt Six in the ring, which resulted in a disqualification for The Street Profits.
The highlights menu also included a captivating promo from R-Truth as he prepares to face his childhood idol, John Cena, emphasizing the themes of power and isolation that Cena has experienced amid his fame. This personal touch added depth to their upcoming encounter.
LA Knight’s victory in the men’s qualifying triple threat added another layer to the Money in the Bank lineup, as he put himself on the path to potentially claiming the briefcase.
The evening concluded with the shocking appearance of the Wyatt Six, creating an air of uncertainty and excitement about their intentions and the implications for future storylines. This show’s cliffhanger not only sets up the foundations for future matches but also maintains an intriguing narrative arc as WWE continues to build toward Money in the Bank.
Overall, this episode showcased the intensity and unpredictability that fans have come to expect from WWE programming, and with the various storylines in play, there is plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead.