WWE SmackDown Results, live recap, grades: MAJOR ROSTER CHANGES! Former world champion debuts; Cody Rhodes goes ballistic; Major star's career nearly ends! World champion LOSES

Charlotte Flair sends bold message after announcing 2025 Royal Rumble return

Rhea Ripley suffers major loss weeks after winning the Women's World Championship

Current champion pinned in major upset loss thanks to distraction from Motor City Machine Guns

That'll do it for Sportskeeda's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on USA Network. Be sure to return tomorrow as we cover both Saturday Night's Main Event and Collision!

Post-match, he goes for a Package Piledriver on the table, but Cody comes out! They brawl in the ring and Cody stomps a mudhole as the crowd loudly chants for him. This is a fight! Things are chaotic and they're brawling as the show ends!

Kevin manages to recover and throws Jimmy into the ring post and hits the pop-up powerbomb for the win!

Kevin Owens defeats Jimmy Uso by pinfall

Kevin hits a superkick and goes for a pop-up, but Jimmy hits another superkick for another nearfall! Jimmy then channels Roman Reigns and hits a spear!!

After the break, Kevin is in full control. He locks in a LONG headlock, but Uso eventually gets out. He fires up with a superkick and is ready to take it home, but Owens takes control back. He hits several strikes and an arm wringer into a powerbomb variant for a two-count.

Owens goes for a stunner, but it is countered. Both men hit superkicks, with Uso leveling Kevin for a two-count!

Kevin throws Jimmy Uso into the buckle so hard that part of the post breaks. He then taunts Matthew McConaughey further. Are they teasing a future match?!

Owens keeps at Jimmy, but Uso fights back. He goes for a running hip attack, but Kevin runs away. Jimmy then slams Kevin against the table repeatedly. Kevin then knocks Jimmy off the apron face-first into the announce table. Kevin then hits a Frog Splash from the apron to the floor. He then mocks Naomi! Wow!

Things start off hot immediately, and the two fight outside of the ring. Kevin rolls back in and attacks Jimmy. He locks in a headlock, but Jimmy fights him off. Kevin nails a shoulder tackle and a back senton.

After the break, Kevin Owens comes out wearing a Naomi shirt to humiliate Jimmy Uso since they're married. He then mocks Matthew M in the crowd again.

Kevin Owens vs. Jimmy Uso

This should be good.

As Jimmy makes his way out, Carmelo Hayes jumps him! They start to brawl on the ramp and officials pull them apart. Jimmy shrugs it off, but their issues are getting heated.

Backstage, The Miz is with Andrade. He says Andrade needs someone to guide him. Andrade says he loves the idea and he'll go find someone. The Miz is frustrated since he meant him. Jimmy Uso then laughs at Miz and walks away. Could Andrade mean Zelina?

Jimmy Uso and Melo go face-to-face. Uso mocks Melo for his loss and points out their match next week. He then makes his way out to the ring.

WWE legends Michelle McCool and Mark Henry are in the crowd at SmackDown! Very cool.

Damian Priest is then seen backstage. Cody Rhodes walks up. Cody says he's glad to have Damian at SmackDown. Damian says, "See you soon, champ." Major feud teased!

Announced for next week:

- Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes.
- Naomi vs. Liv Morgan.
- Michin vs. Chelsea Green.
- Los Garza & MCMG vs. DIY & Prety Deadly.

Backstage, DIY is freaking out at Nick Aldis. Motor City Machine Guns show up and ask if Aldis told DIY the news yet and he hasn't. It is then revealed that DIY and Motor City Machine Guns will clash in a 2-Out-Of-3 Falls Match at the Royal Rumble!

Back in the ring, Melo counters a move into a stunner variant then hits the First 48 for a nearfall! This is great. Melo climbs to the top and goes for Nothing But Net, but Damian avoids it. Priest levels him with a clothesline! He pulls the straps down and hits a South of Heaven Chokeslam and this one is over. Killer match.

Damian Priest defeats Carmelo Hayes by pinfall

Melo hits big strikes and chops, but Damian fires up. He levels Carmelo with strikes and a big kick then a forearm uppercut. Damian counters a Suplex and hits the Broken Arrow and then a corner attack and a flatliner for a two count. They go to the floor and Damian sends Carmelo into the timekeepers area, almost hitting Lilian Garcia!

Back from break and Joe says Damian Priest is the headline Transfer Window acquisition. Damian is sent to the floor and Melo hits a dive on top of him and throws Priest into the ring. He then hits a crossbody on Priest in the ring!

Priest overpowers Melo and levels him. He then attacks him in the corner before going Old School, climbing the ropes and hitting a crossbody! He just channeled The Undertaker!

Carmelo Hayes makes his way out next for this big match.

Damian Priest vs. Carmelo Hayes

This should be great. It is also a first-time ever match. Carmelo avoids a lock up to start. He fakes out a test of strength and kicks Damian in the gut instead and throws chops.

After the break, a vignette airs for Shinsuke Nakamura. He brags about his wins, including over Andrade. He says the title isn't enough; he wants bigger heights, so he's entering the Men's Royal Rumble Match! He says 2025 will be the year of his conquest.

Next, Damian Priest makes his way out. He will make his debut as a SmackDown star after the break.

Backstage, A-Town Down Under is with The Miz. The Miz teases they can be in movies with him. Aldis then shows up and tells Austin and Grayson to pack their bags as they're going to RAW. Miz is devastated as he lost his backup for The Wyatt Sicks. Great segment.

Jacob Fatu attacks and hits a Samoan Drop on the table! He throws a chair and lays LA Knight out on the table. He then teases a splash from the top rope, but BRAUN'S MUSIC HITS!

Braun Strowman makes his way out. Tama Tonga tries to stop Fatu from going after Braun, but Fatu gets in the ring anyway. The crowd chants "holy s**t," but it gets censored. Fatu charges at Braun, but Strowman moves, and Jacob hits the ring post. Braun throws Fatu out of the ring, but he lands on his feet! Tama pulls them apart for now.

In the ring, Tama ducks the strikes, and hits a jumping DDT! Knight kicks out and the two fight on the ropes. Tama hits multiple headbutts, but Knight knocks him down. Tama climbs again, but Knight hits a forward suplex, and then the YEAH ELBOW from the top rope for a near fall!

Knight goes for the BFT, but Fatu causes a distraction. Knight then manages to hit it anyway and win!

LA Knight defeats Tama Tonga by pinfall

LA Knight is getting assaulted now. He tries to fight back with a neckbreaker, which may mean his knee is okay, but he's then leveled with a knee attack. The crowd is fully behind him and tries to fire him up. Knight hits elbows and punches. He nails a leaping clothesline!

The crowd chants This is Awesome and Tama is sent to the floor. Knight goes for a dropkick through the ropes, but only kind of hits, and his leg is really bothering him now.

Back from break and LA Knight is trying to get the upper hand. Tama throws him on the apron and then nails a dragon screw using the ropes. LA Knight holds his knee and he might really be hurt.

Tama Tonga doing the Jeff Hardy spot is interesting... could that be a teaser?

Outside of the ring, Fatu causes a distraction. LA Knight is then thrown into the stairs and apron!

LA Knight vs. Tama Tonga

Things start off hot with brawling. They go to the floor and Tama goes for a move off the stairs but gets caught. He is then thrown into the crowd. Tama Tonga then channels Jeff Hardy, walks the barricade, and hits a clothesline!

LA Knight takes a microphone before the match can start. He calls The New Bloodline "crosseyed halfwits". He says he got a piece of both of them last week, but tonight he's going to get a whole chunk. He then calls Jacob Fatu a fat head. Knight says he's giving Tama a first-class ticket to getting his head stomped in and apologizes to Braun, saying there may be nothing left for him.

Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliff, actors and comedians, are also at SmackDown. So is Fluffy. The stars are out tonight.

Then LA Knight's music hits!

Next, we get a walking promo with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. Fatu calls out Braun and says he's not King Kong or Godzilla, but Jacob is both. He is so good on the mic. He then makes it clear Tama Tonga will eliminate LA Knight next.

From there, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu make their way out.

Apollo tries to fight back and Johnny backs off. As he distracts the referee, Tommaso attacks Apollo. Then DIY come out! They distract DIY, and Apollo gets a roll-up win! WOW!

Apollo Crews defeats Johnny Gargano by pinfall

MCMG seems happy with that.

Johnny Wrestling nails a superkick and then stomps away at Crews. He and Tommaso pat themselves on the back. Johnny charges at Apollo, but he eats a boot and then an elbow. Apollo hits a pump kick and a jumping clothesline. Crews then hits an impressive standing moonsault.

Apollo charges at Gargano, but Johnny moves and takes out Crews' leg, but it looks like it could've been a low blow. Did the referee blow the call?

After the break, Apollo Crews makes his way out. He wants revenge after being jumped last week.

Apollo Crews vs. Johnny Gargano

Johnny tries to jumpstart things, but Apollo uses his power to dominate. He hits a suplex and then a dropkick so Gargano rolls out. This is a huge match for Apollo who is often ignored.

Backstage, Chelsea is yelling at Piper for not being there for her out there. Michin and B-Fab then show up. Michin reveals she is getting one last title match next week!

From there, DIY make their way out.

Candice hits a knee to Rhea's jaw after a Raquel distraction. Bianca hits the KOD on Candice, but Liv rolls Bianca up for the win! WOW! The champions LOSE!

Candice LeRae, Nia Jax, and Liv Morgan win by pinfall

Rhea runs in and attacks Liv Morgan! She levels her and hits a sliding knee. She then dropkicks Nia and Candice. Raquel causes a distraction and Liv hits a backcracker. Bianca comes in and goes for a suplex, but Liv counters. Bianca goes for a moonsault, but eats knees to the gut. Bianca then spears Liv!

Nia hits a pop-up headbutt to Naomi. Rhea goes for the Riptide on Nia, but Liv climbs on her back.

Nia rips Rhea down outside and beats her down. Liv does the same to Bianca. Naomi tries to fight but there's nobody in the corner! Candice rams Naomi back in her corner, but Naomi throws kicks and knocks down multiple people. She hits a spinning X-Factor but nobody is in her corner. Rhea then gets up and Naomi gets the tag. The crowd ERUPTS!

Back from break and Liv Morgan is in control over Naomi. Nia tags in and gives Naomi a stink face! Is Vince McMahon back with that or what? Then she bullies Naomi further and tags in Candice.

A loud "WE WANT MAMI" chant as Candice is in full control. She pummels Naomi in the corner.

Nia is in control and then makes a lewd crotch gesture towards Rhea. The crowd seemed shocked by that one.

Rhea didn't notice a tag in an awkward botch. Bianca and Liv then go at it in the ring. Bianca hits corner punches, but Candice causes a distraction. Liv pulls Bianca's hair and tags in Nia. Nia levels Bianca!

Back from break and we've got a Six-Woman Tag Team Match!

Rhea Ripley, Naomi, and Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax, Candice LeRae, and Liv Morgan

Rhea dominates early on and then Bianca and Rhea use Naomi as a weapon on Jax!

Liv walks to the ring and mocks Rhea and Tiffany. She then mentions all the women in the Royal Rumble, but she doesn't care. She also declares entry in the Rumble and says she'll win it. Liv says Raquel will ensure she wins. Things then break down and everyone starts fighting!

Liv Morgan got a huge babyface pop. That is interesting.

Bianca Belair's music then hits!! She and Naomi come out. They say the ring is filling up quickly and then both say they're entering the Royal Rumble. They joke that one will win no matter what. Then Liv Morgan's music interrupts things! She and Raquel Rodriguez make their way out to a big reaction.

Huge "Mami" chant for Rhea as she comes out. She grabs a mic and says Tiffany is new here and that Rhea is women's champion too, so champion to champion, she respects what Tiffany did to Nia, but it won't compare to what she'll do. Nia's music then interrupts and she and Candice walks out together.

Nia calls them rude and says she's entering the Royal Rumble Match. She tells a fan her mom sucks and the crowd reacts big. Nia brings up facing Rhea tomorrow. She says she'll win the title and then win the Royal Rumble and beat Tiffany after.

Next, Tiffany Stratton's music hits to a big pop. She takes a microphone once in the ring and says she's once again the center of attention as 30 women are fighting to face her. She brings up beating last year's winner Bayley last week. Then Rhea Ripley's music hits!!

Back from break and we get another vignette for Charlotte Flair. She says there's a difference between confidence and arrogance. She says arrogance is insecurity while confidence is knowing. She says the GOAT doesn't have to call herself the GOAT. She says she's crafted a legacy nobody can touch.

Flair says she knows exactly who she is and she's back. She then reveals she's entering the Royal Rumble with a smile on her face and a tear in her eye.

Backstage, Aldis and Melo are greeted by.. DAMIEN PRIEST! The former world champion has signed with SmackDown and will battle Carmelo later tonight!