WWE Smackdown Ending Recap and Analysis (January 10, 2024): Results & Implications [SPOILERS]

Warning: The following copy contains SPOILERS for WWE SmackDown (Jan 10, 2025)

WWE SmackDown: A Night of Anticipation in Portland, OR

The excitement continues as WWE SmackDown rolls into Portland, Oregon, gearing up for the much-anticipated 2025 Royal Rumble. The evening kicked off with a heated exchange between Paul Heyman and Cody Rhodes, focusing on the stakes surrounding WWE’s premier event. The spotlight was also on Chelsea Green, who defended her women’s United States Championship against Michin, while the tag team division showcased thrilling matchups including Los Garza vs. Pretty Deadly, and Motor City Machine Guns vs. A-Town Down Under—both pivotal in clarifying the road to DIY’s Tag Team Championship.

United States Championship Rematch

In an electrifying rematch from Survivor Series, Shinsuke Nakamura faced off against LA Knight for the United States Championship. The night also marked Tiffany Stratton’s celebration of her recent WWE Women’s Championship victory, although not everyone shared her joy. Cody Rhodes teamed up with Jimmy Uso to take on The Bloodline in a thrilling main event that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Paul Heyman opened SmackDown, stating Roman Reigns is coming for “his”WWE Championship and includes himself in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match.
Before Cody could respond, Kevin Owens erupted from the crowd, expressing his anger towards Cody’s alliance with The Rock, which led to a brawl drawing them into the audience.
Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu confronted Heyman, but Jimmy Uso intervened momentarily. The Bloodline gained control, only for Cody to return, aiding both Heyman and Uso as LA Knight barred The Bloodline from re-entering the arena.
Chelsea Green narrowly pinned Michin after a roll-up, avoiding post-match aggression from Michin, who was stopped by Piper Niven.
Los Garza claimed victory over Pretty Deadly with assistance from Santos Escobar.
LA Knight’s match against Nakamura ended in a disqualification due to an unexpected Bloodline interference, prompting Jimmy and Cody to step in for the night’s climax.
In a spectacular match, the Motor City Machine Guns triumphed over A-Town Down Under.
As Tiffany celebrated her championship win, Nia Jax, Bayley, Naomi, and Bianca Belair attacked, leading to an impromptu Fatal Four Way match that Bayley won, declaring her intent for the title.
Next week showcases Tiffany Stratton defending her title against Bayley, alongside Solo Sikoa’s return and a match between Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza.
In the main event, The Bloodline overcame Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso, with Jacob Fatu pinning Jimmy. The chaotic night ended with Cody taking down Owens through a table.

Roman Reigns Sets Sights on the Royal Rumble

Paul Heyman Cody Rhodes WWE SmackDown Jan 10 2025

Paul Heyman’s bold assertion at the start of SmackDown shook the arena as he announced Roman Reigns’ intentions to reclaim the WWE Championship. After his performance on Monday Night Raw, Reigns is officially entering the 2025 Royal Rumble, sending a clear alert to the entire roster.

"You’ve earned the respect of Roman Reigns." @WWERomanReigns may respect @CodyRhodes, BUT he’s after the Undisputed WWE Championship. His first stop? #RoyalRumble. \ud83d\udc4a #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/PMA2XGqTB9 — WWE (@WWE) January 11, 2025

With notable names like John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, Logan Paul, and Jey Uso potentially declaring for the event, the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in WWE history.

LA Knight’s Conflict with The Bloodline

LA Knight Bloodline Jan 10 WWE Smackdown

LA Knight faced consequences for his previous actions against The Bloodline. Despite a valiant effort to capture the United States Championship from Nakamura, interference from Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga dismantled his chances. As the path to WrestleMania looms, speculation arises regarding a potential confrontation between LA Knight and a member of The Bloodline, such as Jacob Fatu or Solo Sikoa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_eZbxwZaFQ

Title bout between Shinsuke Nakamura & LA Knight brings chaos: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 10, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_eZbxwZaFQ)

Bayley’s Path to Championship Glory

In a week where Monday Night Raw garnered significant attention for its Netflix viewership, SmackDown found its moment in the spotlight with unexpected developments in the Women’s Championship race. Following Tiffany Stratton’s exuberant cash-in, she outlined her intentions to dominate as the champion. However, interruptions from Nia Jax, Naomi, Bianca Belair, and Bayley culminated in an impromptu Fatal Four Way match, with Bayley emerging victorious. Bayley’s upcoming showdown against Stratton will mark her first title shot after an undefeated record against her in singles competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNcv66Katao

Tiffany Stratton is interrupted during championship celebration: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 10, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNcv66Katao)

Clarifying the Tag Team Championship Landscape

In a competitive night for tag teams, both the Motor City Machine Guns and Los Garza asserted their dominance, positioning themselves as prime contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Despite Pretty Deadly’s insistence on challenging DIY, attention quickly shifted as Los Garza achieved victory early in the evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJj-bAXP5GE

Motor City Machine Guns to face Los Garza in No. 1 Contender's: SmackDown exclusive, Jan. 10, 2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJj-bAXP5GE)

The Motor City Machine Guns later took down A-Town Down Under in an impressive match, setting up a clash against Los Garza in the coming week for a chance at the title, with The Street Profits closely watching developments.

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens: A Fearless Alliance

Cody and Kevin Owens WWE Smackdown Jan 10 2025

RIGHT THROUGH THE TABLE! These two couldn’t wait for #RoyalRumble \ud83d\ude24#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/aRmzTDruTM — WWE (@WWE) January 11, 2025

This week’s episode of SmackDown solidified its importance within WWE programming, despite Raw’s focus on Netflix. Highlights included a dramatic Fatal Four Way match, strong tag team encounters, and a fierce rivalry to set the stage for the upcoming Royal Rumble. The evolution of storylines, along with the compelling action, ensures that SmackDown remains vital and unmissable programming heading into WrestleMania season.

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