Next week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown (May 9, 2025) will take place at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.
As the go-home show heading into next Saturday’s premium live event WWE Backlash 2025, it will be the last chance to add some new matches onto that lineup, such as how tonight’s episode added a Fatal 4-Way for the United States Championship to the card.
One of those matches could be for the WWE Women’s Championship, as there will be a No. 1 contender’s bout between Jade Cargill and Nia Jax, which was at one point originally slated to be the women’s title match that would have taken place at WrestleMania 41 before plans changed.
WWE has yet to specify that the winner of this match will get a shot at Tiffany Stratton at Backlash, or if it’s just a general idea for a future challenger position. With Money in the Bank just around the corner, as well as episodes of SmackDown to come, either scenario could be the case.
There will also be a tag team match with Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa against LA Knight and Damian Priest, spawning out of how Fatu and Sikoa have been getting involved in Priest and Knight’s matches the past few weeks. Fatu will face Knight, Priest, and Drew McIntyre in that previously announced Fatal 4-Way match.
Next week’s SmackDown will also feature a promo segment with John Cena to hype up his Undisputed WWE Championship defense against Randy Orton, who similarly cut a promo about Cena on tonight’s episode.
"You are the latest Legend I have to put down."#WWEBacklash can't come fast enough! 🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/KzDnRL3l4g
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025
One other bit of information from this week’s episode of SmackDown is to mention that Aleister Black made his in-ring return in nearly five years, defeating The Miz in singles competition.
Black’s last match for WWE was a No Disqualification match he lost to Kevin Owens during the 2020 WWE Draft episode of Monday Night RAW.
Aleister Black is too quick with it! 😮💨#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/lZkW0XhpEo
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025
Nice try, @Carmelo_WWE 🙄
Aleister Black is always one step ahead…@mikethemiz #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VNfICiBPTC
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025
Drop your thoughts about next week’s episode and Black’s comeback win in the comments below!
