‘Tiffy Time’ Finally Happens On The First WWE Smackdown of 2025

/ Featured, Wrestling / By /
Photo Credit: WWE

It will be a week of firsts for WWE as the huge transition of RAW to Netflix takes place this Monday, but before the January 6th mega-RAW, ‘Friday Night Smackdown’ will gain an extra hour of programming. Unlike RAW, SmackDown has never been a three-hour program, but tonight’s show will send the blue brand into overdrive. The first three-hour SmackDown comes to us from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona—we also learned that former ring announcer Lilian Garcia will once again reclaim her duties for Friday Night SmackDown beginning tonight, as well as the introduction of a blue ring mat (NWA-style) for the blue brand.

It was announced months ago that this change would take place—a reaction to the USA Network losing RAW and replacing that three-hour block makes all the sense. The roster alone could easily fill the now six hours of expected weekly TV (not including PLEs and special shows like Saturday Night’s Main Event), but can creative and crew keep up with fans’ grand demands for this era of a bigger and better product promised?

The RAW card is stacked with a CM Punk–Seth Rollins main event that was amplified following both of their amazing promos on Monday. The question is, can Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa accomplish that same feat? After all, their task is the loftier one, considering their feud has already hit peaks and valleys. With a six-man tag match between The Bloodline and The USOs with Sami Zayn, not to mention The Wiseman booked for the show, the blue-brand certainly could raise the stakes for Monday’s showdown between Roman and Solo for the Ula Fala.

KO-Cody-McIntyre

Cody Rhodes opened the show after a video package recapped the Kevin Owens saga. It was announced before the show that Cody and K.O. would compete in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble. The stipulation was perfectly introduced after Owens took ownership of the ‘Winged Eagle’ world title belt that Cody was allowed to use in a ‘one-night only’ scenario in at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The angle harps back to the famous Razor Ramon-Shawn Michales ‘two-belts, same title’ tilt ladder match at WrestleMania 10, but with the Winged Eagle being used this feels special.

Cody was eventually interrupted by Drew McIntyre, who was announced to be a SmackDown superstar following the “transition window” that WWE has mentioned over the past few weeks. The promo was tantamount to a locker room pep-talk before the ‘big game.’ With RAW on Netflix about to premier, Drew called Cody ‘the quarterback’ of the roster after selling their ‘long-time’ friendship.

The two traded words in what felt very passive-aggressive, but then K.O. attacked Cody, at which point Cody’s ‘friend’ Drew left the ring. Cody was later confronted by SD GM Aldis, who made it clear that Drew has his attention, but his focus is clearly on Owens.

Paul Heyman Holds The Bloodline’s Fate In His Hands

The Wiseman came out to recap the timeline of the Roman-led Bloodline in a way that only he can, and it felt like a plea for help as much as it resembled a promo. This segment kicked off the second hour, but Paul Heyman used his promo in a much better way than setting up the final hour. He used his mic time to put over the danger and violent tendencies of Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu—claiming the latter isn’t welcomed outside of American correctional facilities. Terrifically delivered.

Solo made his way to the ring—alone. Paul was petrified as the crowd chanted “Holy S**t” in honor of the bump Paul took the last time he was in a SmackDown ring alone with Solo. Paul even mentioned the table spot, and the fear was so believable that you demanded Roman or anyone come out to his aid. But Solo was not out there for violence, and his intentions were to use Paul, not abuse Paul. Solo said he needed someone to hold the Ula Fala during the match with Roman on Monday. He played up needing someone that respects the Ula Fala and their family’s heritage, something Paul has long proven to this point. Solo further said that Paul’s duty will be to place the Ula Fala around the winner’s neck.

However, Solo clarified the significance of the match and Heyman’s place in it even further. He admitted that he would ‘acknowledge’ Roman as his ‘Tribal Chief’ if he were to win on Monday—a statement that prompted an “O.T.C” chant from the crowd (it is worth noting that Solo and Heyman received a “Holy S**t” chant from the crowd at the start). Then, Solo reiterated that Heyman would have to do the same for him and went as far as to say that beating Roman would qualify Heyman to be his “Wiseman” for life!

The stipulation was shocking for Paul, and it was clear that the man, who is typically two steps ahead of everyone else, was wondering how he managed to get backed into this corner.

Main Event: The Bloodline vs. Usos & Sami Zayn

This was a terrific match that showcased every competitor in the match; a difficult achievement in a six-man tag. While Fatu and Tonga have shown their abilities prior to tonight, they seem to be building on a real team effort. That said, the story of the match was the Uso team with experience fighting as a team against “animals,” as Heyman put it.

At one point, all three faces went corner to corner on Jacob Fatu, and this set up a big Uso Splash. Fatu would eventually take control, but the Usos tag experience was on full display. McIntyre eventually came out, and K.O. warned Jey earlier in the night to watch his back, so he had to be weary of Drew’s presence. Jey decided to dive to the outside to take out Drew before he could strike, but the distraction was enough to take away the face’s momentum, and Solo was able to hit his spike for the win.

The Clock Struck Midnight On ‘Tiffy Time’- And Newwwww…

Nia Jax defended her SmackDown women’s world title against Naomi (co-women’s tag team champion)—who was accompanied by her tag partner Bianca Belair. Jax was with Canice LeRae as Tiffany Stratton was noticeably absent.

The two women put on a banger—no, seriously. It was a terrific match where Naomi worked ‘underdog’ as “the monster” champion beat down the challenger. Yet, Naomi continued to kick out even after Nia dropped a second rope leg drop and a Soman Drop for two separate near falls. The match would eventually escalate beyond the really great storytelling that had fans engaged as the show turned the corner on the third hour (no man’s land at this point). Candice eventually attempted to interfere, but she was met with Bianca as the neutralizer. With everything even, it seemed like Naomi had a chance as long as she could continue to survive.

However, that is when Tiffany Stratton entered the chat, and it was unclear what her intentions were initially. She appeared to be cashing in with briefcase in hand; however, she ultimately used it against Naomi to help Jax retain. This has been the booking over the past several months and PLEs, so it was utterly deflating when the realization set in that Tiffy’s time may never come.

That is when things changed as Tiffy turned on Jax, helping to send her into the arms of Belair for a Torcher Rack slam. Tiffy took out Bianca after taking out Candice, and she hit the Moon Sault for the 1-2-3 to become the new women’s champion. It was a terrifically booked swerve and a great indicator of the big moments that can be expected on weekly WWE programming.

In-Ring Action

  • DIY defended their tag titles against former champs Motor City Machine Guns. With Pretty Deadly acting as a thorn in the side of MCMG, it was fair to say that this match would not get the proper ending these two teams deserved. The match was another high-level affair, although it felt like it was never allowed to get going. Pretty Deadly eventually interfered, and DIY retained. Look for this to get settled soon, but it is effectively building MCMG as faces.
  • Nakamura and Andrade squared off in a throwback to classic black and yellow NXT. The match was solid, but you knew early on that they would not get the chance to really showcase the matchup. Nakamura, the U.S. Champ, was confronted by former champ LA Knight post-match, setting up the two to run it back soon.

Mario Mungia

Mario Mungia Jr. has a decade worth of experience as a combat sports journalist and correspondent which began with ThaBoxingVoice (TBV) as a podcast co-host, writer and editor-in-chief. Aside from his online resume, Mario spent a fair portion of his early career working for Spanish/English magazine Premier Round and the Mexican website Izquierdo. Mario has also contributed to NYFights while simultaneously working for MIC Sports Network as part of the broadcast crew covering local high school sports. Since then, he has launched his own podcast/live stream (Infighting/Work In Progress) and is covering pro wrestling for FightsATW.

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