Last night’s edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown delivered a seismic night of action, nostalgia, and high-stakes drama as the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments rolled on. In a thrilling semifinal clash, Randy Orton battled Sami Zayn in a physical, emotionally charged encounter. Despite Zayn’s resilience and heart, it only took one RKO—the most dangerous three letters in sports entertainment—to send “The Viper” back to the King of the Ring finals, where redemption awaits after his controversial loss to Gunther in last year’s final. On the women’s side, the red-hot return of Asuka continued as The Empress of Tomorrow overcame Alexa Bliss to punch her ticket to the Queen of the Ring finals, just days after making her comeback from a grueling 13-month knee injury.
Now, both Orton and Asuka await their opponents, with Monday’s RAW set to host high-stakes semifinal matches. Jade Cargill battles the newly acquired Roxanne Perez, while former allies Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso collide in a match that could have massive implications for both men’s legacies and Orton’s path to the crown. Meanwhile, tensions exploded as LA Knight found himself overwhelmed by the sheer force of “Big” Bronson Reed in a chaotic confrontation that left Knight laid out beneath a tsunami of destruction.
Capping off the evening was a moment of reflection and reverence, as Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena paid tribute to the 14-year anniversary of CM Punk’s legendary pipebomb promo. In a surreal and symbolic segment, Cena echoed the spirit of that moment while name-dropping some of today’s top stars outside WWE—including AEW’s Claudio Castagnoli, TNA World Tag Team Champion Nic Nemeth, and “The Complete” Matt Cardona—blurring the lines between past and present, and reminding the world just how far the business has come.
With the road to Night of Champions in Riyadh heating up, next week’s SmackDown promises to be just as explosive. Three championship matches are officially set, including title defenses that will shape the card for June 28. As rivalries escalate and royalty is within reach, the blue brand continues to deliver can’t-miss television on the march to the desert.
Here are the full results:
Ladies and gentlemen…Seth “FREAKIN” Rollins
Would you be down to see LA Knight vs Paul Heyman?
Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss to advance to the finals of the Queen of the Ring Tournament
Ron Killings is in the drive seat now
First Jimmy now Damien Priest being the voice of reason for Truth
Cody finished his story
Jey finished his story
Now Sami wants to do the same
Randy stealing Uso’s steelo
Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn to advance and return to the finals of the King of the Ring Tournament
These two are destined to do this dance forever just this time next week who will be the last woman standing
Nia Jax protecting her investment
Charlotte Flair defeated Chelsea Green
The Queen works alone and the sooner people learn that the better
Family vs Family for the United States Championship at Night of Champions
Big Jim with the save unlikely save
LA Knight defeated “Big” Bronson Reed via Disqualification
Solo better get in where he fits in before next Saturday
Ron Killings defeated Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena via Disqualification
This looks oddly familiar
The John Cena Pipebomb
Zelina Vega will defend the United States Women’s Championship against The Beautiful Madness next week
Three Championship matches announced for next week on SmackDown
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