WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 brought the penultimate episode of Smackdown before Wrestlemania. Which has some good stuff with the Drew and Damian promo/angle. The Cody Rhodes championship address with all of the designs of the WWE title. Cody continued to do well to build his match with Cena, reinforcing the Cena Vs The World story. A gauntlet that created credible challengers for the Women's tag team championships in Lyra Valkyria and Bayley.
The rest of the show still is wheels turning. Doing some build between the Legado and Andrade stuff outside of Berto Vs Fenix. Chelsea and Zelina had a 1 minute match that might have the worst finish of the year. Charlotte Flair attacked Tiffany Stratton two times in one day, with only one being on air. Randy Orton might be going into a short program with Solo Sikoa despite them teasing the idea that Aldis could be the opponent. LA Knight pins Tama Tonga once again while Jacob Fatu attacks and lays out Knight. Overall there is not enough build for the second last Smackdown before Wrestlemania.
WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 brings the second last Smackdown before Wrestlemania. With Rey Fenix having his second match in WWE against Berto. Cody Rhodes is present and ready to address John Cena again. The Women’s Tag Team Division is set for a gauntlet to determine who is going to Wrestlemania. Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre are face to face after their match was made official and much more.
GREAT Randy Orton Promo: WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 Opening Promo
There are two things to note here. Randy Orton has a bit of back and forth with Nick Aldis maintaining his professionalism. Teasing that if there is no Mania match, Randy could do something bad. They throw the idea that Aldis could lace his boots to face Randy. Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga interrupt with Solo claiming that Randy is going to be sitting at home. Stating that LA Knight is going to fall to Jacob Fatu.
Randy tells Solo and Tama that they have balls coming out there to interrupt and he was ready to kick some ass. Tama and Solo would jump Randy. LA Knight makes the save. Knight gets his own cleaver cracks on the mic before getting Nick Aldis to make a tag match for them.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Women’s Tag Team Contendership Gauntlet: WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 First Match
This was actually really fun and enjoyable. Of course there are general flaws with Gauntlet matches but this worked. The story of former opponents teaming for the first time and gaining chemistry as a team. Bayley and Lyra run through the PFC, Maxxine/Natalya, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter, B Fab/Michin and finally Piper Niven and Alba Fyre. Both Bayley and Lyra each get their chances to advance their team. Bayley getting a rose plant, Lyra hitting a nightwing, etc. If you didn’t care about Lyra and Bayley as a team before, you might have with this booking. They looked strong and now look like credible challengers in this less than ideal scenario.
Results: Bayley and Lyra Valkyria by Pinfall via Lyra’s Leg Drop on Alba Fyre, going from start till finish.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
AMAZING Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest Face To Face:
After attacking Damian in his entrance, Drew would ruin the face to face. He would get in the ring and reiterate what he has been saying for weeks. Him and Damian being a year long story. Calling Damian a coward for only wanting to meet face to face when he had an eye patch. Drew eventually revealed that he was 100% cleared, taking off the eye patch. Claiming that now Damian was even more screwed.
Drew mentions the stipulation that this match has been given, the Sin City Street Fight. Priest would make his way back out and they engage in a brawl. Drew uses the steps as well as hitting a future shock on them. Drew stands tall as he is no longer a James Bond villain anymore.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
GREAT Rey Fenix Vs Berto:
This is another well done match for Rey Fenix. Without the botch from Nathan. Berto looked really good against Rey. His big dive looked great in execution. Similar result with the Bye Amigo Tightrope Kick and then the Mexican Muscle Buster which is a great finisher for him. Probably the better match as a whole but the crowd was not as good as the Chicago crowd.
Results: Rey Fenix by Pinfall via Mexican Muscle Buster
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
SQUASH Zelina Vega Vs Chelsea Green:
Uh…. What? Zelina wins by count out because Chelsea was arguing with Joe Tess. Abysmal booking with Chelsea and the US title.
Results: Zelina Vega by Countout via Chelsea being outside of the ring.
MUST WATCH Cody Rhodes Promo:
This is a really enjoyable promo. Cody talking about the legacy of the WWE championship. Having all of the designs in the ring. Winged Eagle, Big W, Spinner, etc. Cody continues to establish the storyline in a very effective way. Explaining that John wants to leave with the title, saying how it would ruin the prestige. How it is his duty to keep it for the WWE Universe. Because the championship is for the people. Cody does well in painting this John Cena Vs The World storyline while also getting his digs and setting up that John is going to be on Smackdown next week!
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
GOOD Tiffany Stratton Vs Roxanne Perez:
Two stars with a past in NXT. This is the future of the WWE. Roxanne gets her time to control the pacing and control the champion. Its a good enough wrestled match that isn’t over the top great because it didn’t have too. This gave Tiffany a win. After the match Charlotte attacks Tiffany again. A rather awkward moment as Wade Barrett attempts to get control of Charlotte as Tiffany is selling the attack behind Wade and Joe.
Results: Tiffany Stratton by Pinfall via PME
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Randy Orton and LA Knight Vs Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa: WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 Main Event
This is a good tag match here. Nothing over the top, great about it but it is enjoyable. Tama and Sikoa spend time working on Randy Orton. Building towards the eventual hot tag for LA Knight. Sikoa and Randy end up having a brawl that takes them into the crowd. Is Randy Vs Solo the Mania move? Knight gets the win pinning Tama Tonga again.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via BFT on Tama Tonga.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 Overall Summary…
WWE Smackdown April 11 2025 brought the penultimate episode of Smackdown before Wrestlemania. Which has some good stuff with the Drew and Damian promo/angle. The Cody Rhodes championship address with all of the designs of the WWE title. Cody continued to do well to build his match with Cena, reinforcing the Cena Vs The World story. A gauntlet that created credible challengers for the Women’s tag team championships in Lyra Valkyria and Bayley.
The rest of the show still is wheels turning. Doing some build between the Legado and Andrade stuff outside of Berto Vs Fenix. Chelsea and Zelina had a 1 minute match that might have the worst finish of the year. Charlotte Flair attacked Tiffany Stratton two times in one day, with only one being on air. Randy Orton might be going into a short program with Solo Sikoa despite them teasing the idea that Aldis could be the opponent. LA Knight pins Tama Tonga once again while Jacob Fatu attacks and lays out Knight. Overall there is not enough build for the second last Smackdown before Wrestlemania.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.50/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – April 11 2025
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