SmackDown results, May 16, 2025: Tiffany Stratton defends her title against Nia Jax in chaotic instant classic

Jacob Fatu engaged in a tense moment with Solo Sikoa after JC Mateo emerged to help The Samoan Werewolf retain his title in the Fatal 4-Way Match at WWE Backlash. LA Knight launched a surprise attack on Mateo to get payback. 

LA Knight unleashes retribution after JC Mateo emerged to help Jacob Fatu retain his title in the Fatal 4-Way Match at WWE Backlash. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

Alexa Bliss def. Michin and Chelsea Green in a Women’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match

Alexa Bliss overcomes Michin and Chelsea Green in a Triple Threat Match to earn her place in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on June 7. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

Despite Chelsea Green attempting to steal a win on Michin after Alexa Bliss hit her with Twisted Bliss, Five Feet of Fury pulled Michin out of the ring at the last second and blasted Green with a Sister Abigail DDT for the three-count. With the victory, Bliss earned her place in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on June 7. 

Fraxiom def. #DIY

On the heels of their huge victory over WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits, Axiom and Nathan Frazer overcome Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, leading to a post-match attack by #DIY and the emergence of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin to make the save. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

On the heels of their huge victory over WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits, Axiom and Nathan Frazer overcome Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa with a pinfall out of nowhere. After the match, #DIY immediately launched a post-match attack. In response, Motor City Machine Guns charged in to repel the assault. 

R-Truth to battle WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena in a Saturday Night’s Main Event showdown.  

R-Truth reveals that he will face Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena in a match on Saturday Night’s Main Event after the self-professed “Last Real Champ” attacked him during the WWE Backlash post-show. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more.

Aleister Black def. Carmelo Hayes by Disqualification

The 10th Wonder of the World and The Miz drop Aleister Black in post-match attack. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

After getting knocked off the apron, The Miz attacked Aleister Black just as Black was about to hit Black Mass on Carmelo Hayes. This brought an early to the match by disqualification as Him and The A-Lister dropped the ominous Superstar in post-match beatdown. 

Drew McIntyre accepted Damian Priest’s challenge for a Steel Cage Match on Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The Scottish Psychopath accepts Damian Priest’s challenge for a Steel Cage Match on Saturday Night’s Main Event. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

Solo Sikoa def. Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix in a Men’s Money in the Bank Triple Threat Qualifying Match
With distractions from Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa hit Rey Fenix with the Samoan Spike to steal the victory over the explosive luchador and Jimmy Uso. The win earned Solo place in the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. 

JC Mateo def. LA Knight in WWE debut match

JC Mateo scores his first SmackDown victory over LA Knight in an impromptu matchup. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more.

After an attack by LA Knight, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis decided The Megastar would face JC Mateo in his debut match.  In the final moments of impromptu matchup, Knight took his eye off the ball to take out Sikoa and Fatu outside the ring. When he returned into the ring, however, he leaped right into Mateo's Tour of the Islands to give the newcomer his first SmackDown victory.  

Tiffany Stratton def. Nia Jax in a WWE Women’s Championship Match

Tiffany Stratton successfully defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax after Jade Cargill neutralizes an interfering Naomi. Catch WWE action on Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network and more. #SmackDown

Tiffany Stratton successfully defended the WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax in an absolutely incredible showdown from start to finish. Despite outside turmoil involving Naomi and Jade Cargill, Jax's Samoan Drop onto the announce table, her kicking out of the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, and the Annihilator off of Tiffy's Powerbomb attempt, the resilient titleholder roared back and deflected The Irresistible Force's chair attack back at her. She then delivered a second Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the unbelievable victory.