WWE’s weekly show, Friday Night SmackDown, despite featuring big names like Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Tiffany Stratton, struggled to match the quality of Monday Night RAW, often seen as its weakest output this year. However, amid a generally lackluster year for the blue brand, several standout episodes delivered memorable matches and storylines that energized fans.
Throughout 2025, certain SmackDown episodes shone with compelling matches, entertaining segments, consistent pacing, and well-developed narratives.
7. WWE SmackDown on October 17th took place at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. Although the main event ended in a controversial disqualification, Ilya Dragunov’s victory over Sami Zayn to reclaim the United States Championship was a highlight. The Women’s Tag Team Championship match featuring Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defending against Sol Luka and Zarya was also a fan favorite.
6. The October 10th episode from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, was well-received, featuring a gritty street fight between Aleister Black and Damian Priest, and a United States Championship bout between Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura, both elevated by the enthusiastic local crowd. The night also included a memorable confrontation between MFT and Wyatt Thicke.
5. On March 14th at the Pavero Olympic in Barcelona, Spain, the show buzzed with excitement from the energetic audience. Gunther’s match against Spanish star Axiom and Randy Orton’s fight with Carmelo Hayes stood out, culminating in The Street Profits claiming the WWE Tag Team Titles. Cody Rhodes and The Miz entertained, while Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton’s feud intensified with a brutal altercation.
4. The April 4th SmackDown at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, highlighted ongoing rivalries among CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Paul Heyman, ending with a strong promo and finishing move from Reigns. Kevin Owens’ emotional announcement of a hiatus made this episode particularly significant. The show included a Last Man Standing match between Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman, noted for a dramatic car crash, and a contentious shoot promo between Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.
3. The November 21st edition at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, was praised for high-quality wrestling, with Ilya Dragunov’s US Title defense, a fast-paced tag match between DIY and Fraxiom, and Carmelo Hayes’ impressive win over Bronson Reed in a David vs. Goliath showdown during the Last Time Is Now tournament. Becky Lynch and AJ Lee made appearances to build anticipation for the Women’s WarGames match.
2. On January 3rd, SmackDown aired from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, featuring a thrilling three-hour show. The main storyline involved Tiffany Stratton’s shocking Money in the Bank cash-in and subsequent WWE Women’s Championship win over Nia Jax, followed by a lively match with Naomi. The episode also showcased intense battles within The Bloodline faction, plus solid matches with Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura.
1. The top-rated episode from April 25th, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, came right after WrestleMania 42. It featured Fraxiom’s main roster debut, a WWE Champion face-off between John Cena and Randy Orton, Aleister Black’s return, and a surprising US Title change where Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green. The show ended with an electrifying TLC tag team match involving Motor City Machine Guns, DIY, and Street Profits, highlighting the missed opportunity of excluding these teams from WrestleMania.
Fan Take: These standout SmackDown episodes prove that even in a challenging year, WWE can deliver thrilling action and compelling storylines that keep fans engaged. For WWE followers, these memorable nights highlight the potential for SmackDown to regain its footing as a must-watch show, potentially reshaping the wrestling landscape ahead.
