The penultimate episode ofFriday Night SmackDownbeforeWrestleMania 41in Las Vegas took place from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA, asWWEputs the final pieces together for Night 1 and Night 2. WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes appears on the show tonight, Rey Fenix has his second WWE match with Berto, and the first face-off between Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre has taken place since their match atWrestleMania 41was confirmed.
Here are your key moments from tonight’sFriday Night SmackDownfor July 03, 2025:
Here are your results from tonight’sFriday Night SmackDownfor June 19, 2025:
Here are your official WrestleMania 41 cards (minus Randy Orton’s updated match)
NIGHT 1 - Saturday, April 19th
NIGHT 2 - Sunday, April 20th
Does Randy Orton Have A New Opponent?
We Still Want It To Be Nick Aldis
After this follow-up segment between Randy Orton and Nick Aldis,we’re not entirely sure that it’s going to be the two of themfacing off in Sin City, even though that’s the right choice.While we tear up our prediction sheet on his new opponent, it seems all but certain that Solo Sikoa will now be the Viper’s opponent.
Sikoa and Orton certainly have history, but the more compelling story is the one that Orton and Aldis have been building for almost a year, simmering just under the surface. Sure, the Bloodline business is something to revisit, but the real target of that story is Roman Reigns -why not let Nick Aldis get a big moment in WWE?
Rey Fenix Continues To Shine
Another Impressive Performance By The Newest WWE Signee
There’s something so exciting about the new signees in WWE, but no one feels more exciting to watch than Penta and Rey Fenix, andFenix put on another impressive performance tonightin his second match in the company. Berto looked fantastic as well, but the real and literal winner of the bout was Fenix.
Seeing how effortless it looks for them both to have gotten over with the WWE crowd leaves a lot of questions on the table about how they were handled during their AEW run, up to and including their releases. Butwith their past firmly in rear view, it feels like the heat is about to be turned up for both of them, with continuing impressive results.
Our Take On Tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown
It Felt More Standard Fare Than Last Week
Much like the last episodes of a television show that led up to the series finale, the past few weeks ofFriday Night SmackDownhave felt somewhat painted-by-numbers but also bookended and interspersed with fantastic storytelling. Moments of superb story advancement give way to glaring exceptions to one-note creative in some areas,specifically the Women’s United States Championship, which desperately needs more attention, as well as a place on theWrestleManiacard.
The build up to Sin City sinceElimination Chamberhas provided some incredible and discussion-worthy moments, and with only one week until the big dance,WWE is setting the final plates on the table for both go home shows next week.Will we get the big reveal as to why John Cena sold his soul to The Rock? Will Nick Aldis compete in a WWE ring? We’ll have to wait until next week to find out.
