WWE SmackDown results for January 17

WWE is heading to Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California this Friday, January 17, 2025 for a new episode of Friday Night SmackDown. On the program, Tiffany Stratton defends the WWE Women’s Championship against former champion Bayley, the Motor City Machine Guns face Los Garza to become number 1 challengers for the tag team championships, and Solo Sikoa makes her first appearance since her defeat against to Roman Reigns on Raw on January 6.

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Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore open the show by arriving from the audience and enthusiastically presenting the evening’s program.

Rey Mysterio announces his participation in the Royal Rumble

Rey Mysterio then makes his entrance to truly launch hostilities in San Diego, his hometown. He welcomes everyone to the “house of 619”. He asked to be present tonight, to declare his entry into the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble. He wants to rewrite history, as he did in 2006 by winning the Rumble after entering at #2 to become world champion heavyweights at WrestleMania 22. He is aware of the competition there will be: Drew McIntyre, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, John Cena. The mission will be difficult, but he recalls that in 2006, he won the Rumble for a friend that everyone knows (the audience starts singing Eddie’s name [Guerrero]).

That’s when Kevin Owens interrupts him. He’s sorry to interrupt, but he had to, he said. He had to do it because he heard him say he was going to win the Royal Rumble. KO respects Rey Mysterio, more than anyone in WWE. After recalling that he is the “true WWE Champion,” Kevin Owens says there is one thing he wants: to face the legend Rey Mysterio, something he has never done. KO tells Rey Mysterio that he will support him at the Royal Rumble, and asks him to pick him once he wins it, so he can have his dream match against him at WrestleMania.

“Kevin, you know I like challenges and competition, but here’s the thing: you’re not a champion. And I don’t mean to disrespect you by saying it. Cody [Rhodes] is champion. » replies Rey Mysterio. He then told him that he would be happy to face him if he won the Rumble and KO won the WWE Title.

“I’m not champion? I am champion! This is my title, I deserved it. What’s your problem? » says Kevin Owens, pointing to the Winged Eagle belt on his shoulder. Rey Mysterio then tells Kevin Owens that he reminds him of his son Dominik to react like this. Kevin Owens then tries to hit him with his belt but “Rey Rey” dodges and knocks KO out of the ring to end this segment.

Backstage, Bianca Belair asks Naomi to apologize for last week when they failed in the Fatal 4-Way Match to become number 1 challenger for the WWE Women’s Championship for the benefit of Bayley. Naomi tells him that there is no problem, because they are still tag team champions. They face Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in the opener of the evening.

Still backstage, Nick Aldis tells Rey Mysterio that he will face Kevin Owens tonight on SmackDown. Cody Rhodes then arrives and says that he saw what happened, but that he was being examined by the doctors to be cleared. Rey Mysterio tells him that everything is fine, that he has the situation in hand, before leaving. Nick Aldis then tells Cody Rhodes that he has in his hands the contract to sign for the championship match between Rhodes and Owens at the Royal Rumble. Cody Rhodes told general manager from SmackDown that he will only sign him when KO signs him.

Bianca Belair and Naomi defeated Nia Jax and Candice LeRae by pinfall with a Bubba Bomb from Naomi on LeRae. We also learn that they will defend the WWE women’s tag team titles against Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson at NXT on January 28.

In an interview with Byron Saxton earlier today, Bayley discussed her upcoming championship match against Tiffany Stratton. It’s a big night for her; she has the opportunity to return to the top after being there last year. It’s also personal for Bayley, as Tiffany Stratton helped lose her the belt at SummerSlam last year.

Michin tells B-Fab in the locker room that she should be the United States Champion by now. They are interrupted by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. The tone rises between B-Fab and Piper Niven. B-Fab will ask Nick Aldis for a match against Niven tonight.

The next match sees Jimmy Uso take on Carmelo Hayes in a 1-on-1 match.

Live results

B-Fab, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Candice Lerae, Carmelo Hayes, Chelsea Green, Cody Rhodes, Featured, Jimmy Uso, Kevin Owens, Los Garza, Michin, Motor City Machine Guns, Naomi, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, Rey Mysterio, SmackDown, Solo Sikoa, Tiffany Stratton, WWE