WWE SmackDown Recap (May 9, 2025): John Cena Returns Ahead of Backlash

WWE SmackDown kicks off and we witness Damian Priest walking backstage towards the arena. The crowd is interrupted by Byron Saxton who stops him and asks him to talk about his four-way match that he lost at Backlash. While he is speaking, he's joined by LA Knight and the two men discuss their tag team fight tonight. LA Knight tells Damian that when he is back, he'll have his back and asks for that his songs be played.

The bell sounds and we're ready for. LA Knight and Damian argue about who should start the fight. Solo fights Damian while LA Knight gets on the Ring on the apron. Solo with his right hand, however Priest using kicks and then an attack on the face with a forearm. Priest takes Solo with his hand, and then begins moving up the top rope until he is able to land in a cross-body. Priest decides to use the clothesline, but Solo moves to the other side of the rings. Priest is pushed to the outside, and then he leaps off the steel steps and lands on with a double axe. Fatu falls off the ring's apron and into Damian's face.

LA Knight and Priest are in the ring following the game and Priest has right hand. Then the ring comes Jacob Fatu who attacks both men with the running hip strike. Fatu is able to raise his hand to claim the United States Championship after the match, but it is Drew McIntyre who hits him with the Claymore and knocks the title away. Drew knocks the title off Fatu and then leaves the arena.

The bell sounds and we're off to the races. Vega and Niven begin their match. Vega is attempting to cross her body, but Niven is able to catch her and then slams her on the mat. Chelsea is then tagged in, and she makes splashes but Vega gets away from the way. Vega knocks her down while Chelsea is leaning against the second rope.

We go in to Rey Fenix who is walking in the backstage area and is confronted at the hands of Santos Escobar. Fenix says that Escobar beat him the previous week and that it's ended, there's been no discussion. Escobar says that he's aware of it, but he's got one thing to say.