Following the June 30 episode of Monday Night Raw, WWE taped the July 4 episode of Friday Night SmackDown at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. This episode will mark SmackDown’s official return to a two-hour format. Spoilers are courtesy of WrestleZone.
The show opened with the new King of the Ring, Cody Rhodes. He was interrupted by his tournament final opponent, Randy Orton. Orton admitted he was hesitant to deliver the punt kick to Rhodes at Night of Champions. Drew McIntyre then made his return, interrupting both men and attempting to stir up trouble between them before being laid out by an RKO from Orton. Later in the show, a match between McIntyre and Orton was made official for the Saturday Night’s Main Event PLE.
DREW MCINTYRE IS BACK!!! #Smackdown pic.twitter.com/ZJYUv5c1aF
— ʞɔᴉɹʇɐd⭐️ (@FeverTrick22) July 1, 2025
A major match for the upcoming Evolution PLE was also set. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton came to the ring to discuss her upcoming title defense against Jade Cargill at SummerSlam but declared she wanted to defend her title at Evolution as well. After a brief interruption from Cargill, Stratton revealed she wanted to face Trish Stratus. The WWE Hall of Famer then made her return, coming out to accept the challenge.
Trish Stratus returns during #SmackDown July 4 tapings!
Tiffany Stratton vs Stratus for the Women's title at Evolution also announced.pic.twitter.com/Zwf3vKRlTU
— KN Wrestling (@knwrestling) July 1, 2025
Other results from the taping include:
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated The Secret Hervice to qualify for the four-way Women’s Tag Team title match at Evolution.
The Wyatt Sicks defeated Johnny Gargano, Berto, Montez Ford, and Chris Sabin in an eight-man tag team match.
Andrade & Rey Fenix defeated Fraxiom.
A match between Aleister Black and R-Truth was set up for next week after a backstage confrontation.
Jacob Fatu & Jimmy Uso defeated Solo Sikoa & JC Mateo.
