WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 is a really solid in ring episode. With a great women's Triple Threat. To Sabin Vs Ciampa being a great showing for Chris Sabin. Two fun tag matches, one being Fenix and Jimmy Uso Vs JC and Jacob. Of course the other being Fraxiom Vs The Street Profits. A lot of really solid in ring action with satisfying results like Giulia and LA Knight going to MITB. Chelsea Green Vs Zelina Vega is set up for SNME. R Truth got to speak about John once more but got a lot of what chants. Tiffany Stratton got great lines towards Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair while Alexa is still taunting Charlotte about not wanting to be friends. The Wyatt Sicks return and take out the tag division and Candice LeRae in a great moment to close a very fun and solid Smackdown.
WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 brings the go home show before Saturday Night’s Main Event. With both Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre set to be present before their steel cage match. R Truth is set to appear before facing John Cena in a non title match. The Tag titles are being defended with the new team Fraxiom getting their title shot after beating the Street Profits before. Two MITB qualifiers as well along with Chris Sabin Vs Tommaso Ciampa.
AMAZING Tiffany Stratton Promo: WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 Opening Promo
Tiffany Stratton mentions beating the Queen and last week beating Nia Jax. As she starts to bring up the MITB, saying how someone could have the same opportunity with the MITB on her. Alexa Bliss, the first and only Smackdown participant so far, comes out. Giving Tiffany a little bit of respect for beating Charlotte Flair. Along with mentioning the exact parallels between their careers. Both MITB Winners, both cashing in on Nia. Bliss would threaten Tiffany by mentioning that she liked Nia and doesn’t really have an opinion on Tiffany. Saying if Tiffany thought her rise was quick, to think about how fast her downfall can be.
Charlotte would come out in gear as she was in one of the Qualifiers. Coming out and saying that the MITB is her tool to take what she wants. With the crowd once again not giving her the chance to talk, but contrary to past promos this year, Charlotte is able to deliver her lines. Tiffany would end the promo by giving some of her best lines of the year. Claiming that Charlotte was being hypocritical for wanting the MITB when Charlotte spoke negatively about Tiffy using it. Calling both Alexa and Charlotte the standard while she is the upgrade. Stratton left but Giulia interrupted on the ramp and had a stare down with the champion.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
AMAZING Charlotte Flair Vs Giulia Vs Zelina Vega – MITB Qualifier: WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 First Match
This is a very well done match, with everyone having great moments. Charlotte and Giulia definitely underestimate Zelina in the early portion of this match. There are very enjoyable sequences especially in the second half of the match. Vega getting her best Code Red of the year on Giulia. Charlotte hitting a moonsault onto both of them. Giulia also hitting the big arrivederci knee while Zelina had a submission on Charlotte. Flair gets the figure eight on Zelina and GIulia climbs to the top rope. Giulia would hit a double foot stomp onto Charlotte’s knee, sending her out of the match and capitalizing on the damage to Vega, hitting the northern lights bomb for the win. Giulia looked good in her big spots, Zelina has gotten very over with the title and Charlotte’s best showing of the year is this match.
Results: Giulia by Pinfall via Northern Lights Bomb
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GREAT Chris Sabin with Shelley Vs Tommaso Ciampa with Gargano:
This is kinda what the MCMG needs, is Chris Sabin doing solo performances because he can be a lot more impressive than Shelley in the ring. Sabin had great spots in this match. Its a really good match. Seeing DIY be the aggressive heels using the underhanded tactics. Johnny and Alex end up being brought into the match and DIY are taken out with a dive from Sabin. Ciampa fakes a knee injury to allow Candice LeRae to attack Sabin. Ciampa wins with an exposed running knee and with DIY promising change, they delivered.
Results: Tommaso Ciampa by Pinfall via Running Knee
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
SQUASH Secret Hervice Vs B Fab and Michin:
Zelina and Chelsea brawl during the match and the Hervice loses. Its a fine match but its a squash match.
Results: B Fab by Pinfall via Fabulous Face Buster on Alba Fyre
AMAZING Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix Vs JC Mateo and Jacob Fatu:
Boy was the crowd rowdy for this one. Whether it was in support of Big Jim Uso, Jacob Fatu or Rey Fenix. Solo Sikoa also got heat in his moments. This is a fun tag team that sees JC and Jacob learn to work together in this match. They are able to dominate and set up the faces for the hot tag. Rey Fenix and Jimmy Uso gets a great roll in the beginning of the match along with Fenix’s great hot tag. Jacob catching Rey out of a dive was a great moment. Jimmy was distracted by Solo and that allowed JC to counter the uso splash and get the win with the Tour Of The Islands. Solo wants Jimmy back in? Thats the story we are going with?
Results: JC Mateo by Pinfall via Tour Of The Islands on Jimmy Uso
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
GREAT R Truth Promo:
R Truth was given a lot of what chants but he was still able to cut a really good promo. Talking about his relationship with John, claiming that John isn’t having fun with wrestling anymore. Truth wants to be the one to save Wrestling and Save John. Also using the If Cena wins we riot. It’s a fun promo but nothing must see about it.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD Aleister Black Vs LA Knight Vs Shinsuke Nakamura – MITB Qualifier: WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 Semi Main Event
Not sure if its just a lack of interest in Shinsuke Nakamura but this was kinda dull. Each men get some good moments and Aleister gets some good reactions but the crowd really only cares about LA Knight. Nakamura and Black have good striking exchanges but thats about it. After setting up for the Kinshasa, Black hits the Black Mass but Knight throws Black out of the ring. Knight steals the win in a fine match overall.
Results: LA Knight by Pinfall via Aleister’s Black Mass on Shinsuke Nakamura
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
MUST WATCH Street Profits Vs Fraxiom – WWE Tag Team Championship: WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 Main Event
What do you get when you let talented teams work, this match. Its a very enjoyable tag team match that gets the crowd going and invested during it. A lot of really good moments and well thought out spots. The nearfalls and the pin break ups help escalate the excitement and investment for the viewer. Axiom superkicking Montez after he stepped on Nathan to break the pin looked so smooth and was a great moment. DIY and MCMG end up brawling along with Candice being present. Montez would take out the four men with a dive over the corner. Angelo sets up Nathan for Montez but the lights go out. The Wyatt Sicks appear taking out every single person in the match. Nikki going for Candice, Profits, Fraxiom, MCMG and DIY all get Wyatt Sicks spots. Gargano taking a Sister Abigail worked. They returned on Bray’s birthday and Howdy blew out a candle on a cake.
Results: No Contest by Wyatt Sicks Attack On Everyone
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 Overall Summary…
WWE Smackdown May 23 2025 is a really solid in ring episode. With a great women’s Triple Threat. To Sabin Vs Ciampa being a great showing for Chris Sabin. Two fun tag matches, one being Fenix and Jimmy Uso Vs JC and Jacob. Of course the other being Fraxiom Vs The Street Profits. A lot of really solid in ring action with satisfying results like Giulia and LA Knight going to MITB. Chelsea Green Vs Zelina Vega is set up for SNME. R Truth got to speak about John once more but got a lot of what chants. Tiffany Stratton got great lines towards Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair while Alexa is still taunting Charlotte about not wanting to be friends. The Wyatt Sicks return and take out the tag division and Candice LeRae in a great moment to close a very fun and solid Smackdown.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.50/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE – May 23 2025
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
