WWE SmackDown opened with an emotional tribute to Hulk Hogan, featuring many retired legends paying their respects. Following a 10-bell salute and a tribute video narrated by Triple H, Logan Paul entered the ring to an arena chanting “Thank You Hogan,” which he ironically rewrote as “Thank You Logan,” provoking boos from the crowd.
Jelly Roll interrupted Logan Paul’s moment, challenging his legitimacy as an athlete and accusing him of never truly struggling. Drew McIntyre reinforced Logan’s position while Randy Orton arrived, escalating tensions. A chaotic brawl broke out with Randy expelled from the ring and heels targeting Jelly Roll. Logan dominated Jelly Roll until a quick Black Hole Slam turned the tide, forcing Logan and McIntyre to retreat before the show moved ahead.
Summary of WWE SmackDown Matches on July 25, 2025
The night featured four key matches before the main event: Roxanne Perez defeated Alexa Bliss; Jade Cargill overcame Chelsea Green; Jacob Fatu secured victory against The Miz; and the Wyatt Sicks’ tag team title defense versus Andrade and Rey Fenix ended in disqualification. Andrade and Rey Fenix also delivered a promo highlighting their aspirations to capture the SmackDown tag team championships.
Alexa Bliss Faces Roxanne Perez in a Hard-Fought Contest
Alexa Bliss dominated early exchanges with the crowd witnessing her use a distraction from Raquel Rodriguez to land key offense. Roxanne countered effectively, responding to Alexa’s Sister Abigail attempt and surviving a moonsault. After an intervention by Charlotte that removed Raquel from ringside, Alexa landed the DDT and Twisted Bliss on her opponent. However, Roxanne’s resilience prevailed as she rolled up Alexa and used the ropes to secure the pinfall.
Jade Cargill Dispatches Chelsea Green Following Backstage Confrontation
A backstage altercation saw Chelsea Green taunting Jade Cargill before a physical beatdown led both to an impromptu match. Chelsea briefly gained momentum with takedowns and strikes, but Jade quickly regained control, finishing the bout with a decisive Jaded move. Post-match hostilities arose when Niven and Fyre attacked Jade, but Tiffany Stratton intervened, assisting Jade against the heels before the program progressed.
Cody Rhodes Pays Respect to Hulk Hogan and Challenges John Cena
Cody Rhodes addressed the audience, praising Hulk Hogan as WWE’s “first superstar” and thanking him for his impact on the industry. Shifting focus, Cody spoke about John Cena, stating he wished to face Cena at his peak—not the current iteration, who he criticized for not defending his title. Cody expressed his desire to confront “the real John Cena” at the next SummerSlam, signaling an upcoming intense showdown.
Jacob Fatu Triumphs Over The Miz in a Tense Battle
Prior to their match, Jacob Fatu spoke about defeating Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam when The Miz interrupted, demanding a rematch as revenge, sparking a heated start. Fatu initially controlled the match, but distraction from Solo and the MFT allowed The Miz to gain the upper hand with aggressive maneuvers. After a physical contest involving outside interference, Fatu emerged victorious with a pop-up Samoan Drop. The MFT retaliated with an attack, leading to Jimmy Uso’s intervention among escalating chaos. The match climaxed with Solo performing a Samoan Spike on Fatu after Talla Tonga’s involvement left Fatu vulnerable.
Backstage Tensions Rise as Giulia and Zelina Vega Clash Over Kiana James
Giulia was approached backstage by Zelina Vega, who criticized Giulia’s ally Kiana James, labeling her a “clipboard Karen.” Kiana, formerly part of NXT and drafted to RAW in 2024, remains a contentious figure amidst SmackDown’s ongoing rivalries, setting the stage for future confrontations.
Wyatt Sicks’ Tag Team Title Defense Against Andrade and Rey Fenix Ends Chaotically
The Wyatt Sicks fought bravely to retain their tag team titles against Andrade and Rey Fenix in a high-paced encounter. Andrade initiated the double-team Three Amigos maneuver on Gacy, then tagged in Fenix, who attempted an aerial assault but was thwarted by Lumis. The match featured intense exchanges, including a spinning elbow from Andrade and multiple dives from Fenix and Lumis. Ultimately, Nikki Cross’s interference by pulling the referee out ended the bout via disqualification, leaving the champions still holding their titles.
Immediately afterward, an all-out brawl erupted as Fraxiom and every tag team from SmackDown swarmed the ring to confront the Wyatts. Though the Wyatts and Rowan fought back fiercely, the conflict spilled throughout ringside, leading to Nick Aldis stepping forward to voice his frustration at the ongoing destruction.
Nick Aldis Announces High-Stakes Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for SummerSlam
In response to the chaotic brawl among SmackDown tag teams, Nick Aldis declared a massive Tables, Ladders & Chairs (TLC) match at the upcoming SummerSlam, where all competing teams will battle for the tag team championships. This announcement promises to elevate SummerSlam’s stakes with a definitive and brutal showdown for SmackDown’s tag team gold. The night closed with Tommaso Ciampa executing a daring dive on multiple superstars, maintaining the intense momentum as SmackDown went off the air.
Significance of the Night and What to Expect at SummerSlam
The July 25 SmackDown episode delivered pivotal moments, including the emotionally charged tribute to Hulk Hogan and several impactful matches setting up future rivalries. The return of a 21-time champion heightened anticipation for SummerSlam. The announcement of the TLC match involving all tag teams marks a major development for the SmackDown tag division, suggesting a dramatic and high-risk contest that could reshape the landscape.
With Cody Rhodes challenging John Cena for a prime encounter and Jacob Fatu’s ongoing feud with The Miz and Solo Sikoa intensifying, SummerSlam is positioned to deliver memorable matches fueled by personal stakes. Fans can expect explosive action, unforeseeable twists, and significant title implications as SmackDown moves toward the big event featuring WWE SmackDown SummerSlam TLC.
