WWE SmackDown Results, live recap and video highlights: RANDY ORTON CALLS OUT JOHN CENA, 12 WWE STARS RELEASED INCLUDING BRAUN STROWMAN

Braun Strowman reacts after shocking WWE release for the second time

BREAKING: Major 3-man faction released by WWE after over 6 years together

Massive botch takes place during WWE SmackDown; referee fails to count pinfall

After Braun Strowman and Dakota Kai, 4 more WWE stars released suddenly before SmackDown; star confirms heartbreaking cut - Reports

Jade has the women's championship belt after the match and clearly signals her intention to come after the title but Naomi blindsides Jade from behind. Naomi stands tall with the belt as the show goes off air.

Nia Jax now goes for the senton but Jade is back up. She goes for a powerbomb and nails it ! That's it! The match is over!

Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton def. Naomi and Nia Jax

Nia Jax has Tiffy down now and looks to finish it off but Naomi had made a blind tag already. Naomi goes for the splt-legged moonsault but Tiffany gets her knees up. Jade tags in! She knocks Jax off the apron and hits Naomi with a Samoan Drop. Jade follows it up wth a running splash in the corner which she follows up with a chokeslam. Nia Jax breaks up the pin!

Nia Jax is still in control of this match. She nonchalantly tosses Jade out of the ring and follows her out. Jade hits back at Nia but Jax soon takes back control.

Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton vs Nia Jax and Naomi

The heels dominate the opening stages of the match. Naomi has Jade down on the mat and is trash-talking her. Jade with a pump kick but Nia Jax had already made the blind tag. Nia is all over Jade after blindsiding her and also takes out Tiffy from the apron.

Oro Mensah has been confirmed to be the latest WWE release.

15 years hard work and true sacrifice to make it to WWE. Always gave it my 110% and put my whole passion and body into the artform of pro-wrestling. Thank you for all the support! love y‘all ✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/tlTgRdLceL
— Oro Mensah (@OroMensah_wwe) May 3, 2025

Rey Fenix with the W 🔥 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/IicDMQVwcp
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Santos Escobar is backstage and losing his cool at Humberto and Garza. Andrade now comes and tells him to calm down. He says Santos talks about legacy, respect and honour but he doesn't have any respect or honour.

🤍 pic.twitter.com/gmUxkDQeZH
— 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 🎮 (@ImKingKota) May 2, 2025

Fenix finally has Escobar down and he heads up top and hits a Meteora. Tough match for Fenix but he finally manages to put Santos Escobar away.

Fenix def. Santos Escobar

Fenix is finally trying to find an opening for himself. Escobar hits him with a knee but Fenix pops back up with a superkick. Both men are now down.

Rey Fenix vs King Cuerno in a WWE ring. Surreal.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NmY8Pjj5qz
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Rey Fenix vs Santos Escobar underway now!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/gJQg2Uo37X
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Santos Escobar is having a great match here. He's been in total control for most of this match.

Fenix bounces off the middle rope and goes for a spinning kick, but misses it. Escobar has a wristlock locked in, but eats a back elbow. He's now sent crashing out of the ring. Fenix launches himself out of the ring and takes Escobar down with a hurricanrana.

Rey Fenix vs Santos Escobar

Santos says that he should be the boss and Fenix should take orders from him. Fenix isn't impressed. They trade nasty chops in the middle of the ring. Escobar gets the better of the exchange.

"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

YES!!! Randy Orton is backstage when R-Truth walks up to him. Truth says Orton has no chance against his childhood hero John Cena. Jimmy Uso comes up to R-Truth and advises him to keep his mouth shut unless he wants Orton to kick his ass.

.@RandyOrton does make some valid points... 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VBHQwjeecX
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025

Randy Orton calls John Cena the latest legend he "has to put down". He promises to punt kick Cena in his hometown at Backlash as Randy's friends and family watch from ringside.

Orton says John Cena took advantage of the PG Era, becoming a cartoon character for his own gain, including selling as much merch as possible.

Randy isn't holding back. He says he saw Cena for who he really was when no one else could. He calls Cena an arrogant, entitled brat.

Randy Orton is out next ahead of his title match in 8 days at WWE Backlash.

No one can offer what I have to offer. Reality. Let the Galaxy burn.
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) May 2, 2025

Solo really got Jacob a FATAL-4-Way instead of a Triple Threat 😭 Never let my man negotiate..#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/jtdH88yuah
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu is backstage with Nick Aldis. Aldis books a Fatal-4-Way match for the US title at Backlash. It will be Fatu vs McIntyre, LA Knight and Priest.

Vega is fighting back against all odds. Chelsea is on the apron to distract the referee. Piper charges and takes out Chelsea by mistake. The champion takes advantage and rolls up Piper Niven for the win.

Zelina Vega def. Piper Niven

Zelina Vega is trying to fight back here but Piper Niven is just proving to be too strong. She slams Vega down into the mat and hits Senton for a nearfall.

Piper Niven vs Zelina Vega is happening right now.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/GXQr9D9IIQ
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Zelina goes for a hurricanrana but Piper Niven plants her face-first into the mat. Piper is in total control her.

Niven takes Vega down with a shoulder charge and Chelsea Green is enjoying it from ringside. Niven lays into Vega with more shots before being sent face-first into the turnbuckle.

Zelina Vega vs Piper Niven

Women's US Champ Zelina Vega takes on Piper Niven next. Vega has the speed advantage here and is using it to her advantage early on. Niven is down on one knee and Vega smashes her in the face with a knee-strike.

Hit me up [email protected]
— Elayna Black (@CoraJadeWWE) May 3, 2025

pic.twitter.com/zh70P3v0K8
— The Monster of all Monsters (@Adamscherr99) May 3, 2025

Carmelo and Aleister Black stare each other down after the match. Could this be Black's next feud?

MIz charges at Aleister Black but is taken down. Carmelo tries to get involved but is chased away. Black now hits the Black Mass and Miz is out!

Aleister Black def. The Miz

Miz is getting a little overconfident here but still retains control. He hits a running clothesline to the corner. Miz goes for the Skull Crushing Finale but Black sees it coming. Black hits back with a high kick. Back in the ring, Black is back on top and hits a combo. He follows it up with a springboard for a nearfall.

Aleister Black making his entrance for his first match on SmackDown in over 4 long years.

CHILLS, to say the least 🔥#SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/6dlmgQouly
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) May 3, 2025

Black has Miz where he wants but Carmelo Hayes makes the distraction at the ring moment. Miz sends Black face-first into the side of the mat and he crumples out to ringside. Miz takes advantantage and the former world champ is in total control here. Black is laid out at ringside.

The Miz vs Aleister Black

Aleister Black makes his in-ring return tonight against the former world champion. Miz goes to boot Aleister Black early, but he catches it mid-air and hits Miz with a series of knees to the gut.

Nah, that guy needs to proceed with caution 😭 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/sdvjXlR11i
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) May 3, 2025

Do NOT interrupt Naomi! 😡

She has her eyes on the WWE Women's Championship too...#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2w8z5uNaxS
— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025

BREAKING: Per Fightful, Gallus - Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, and Wolfgang has been released by WWE.

🚨🚨🚨

It's still going....🥲 pic.twitter.com/gCOKjOYqZZ
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) May 3, 2025

Naomi now intervenes and walks down to the ring. Jade's music hits and it's a free for all. Jade takes out Naomi as Tiffany wipes out Nia Jax. Tiffany and Jade are left standing in the ring.