WWE SmackDown Results, live recap, grades: Nick Aldis in physical altercation! Cody Rhodes seriously hurt; MASSIVE LADDER MATCH ANNOUNCED! The Bloodline assault top stars

Chelsea Green "shocked" by major WWE star; refuses to acknowledge Piper Niven

Top duo wrestles first match in 70 days on SmackDown against The Street Profits

Tiffany Stratton costs Nia Jax and Candice LeRae as botch leads to big loss on WWE SmackDown

Sami Zayn makes blockbuster SmackDown tease; spotted in discussion with WWE official Nick Aldis

That'll do it for Sportskeeda's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on USA Network. Be sure to hang out with us as we cover AEW Collision tomorrow and the last-ever USA Network RAW on Monday!

Kevin kicks Cody repeatedly in the neck before storming out screaming he's the real champion. He says he'll see Cody at the Rumble and calls Cody the b-word. Wow.

The show ends with medical and staff checking on Cody and Kevin posing on the ramp.

Nick Aldis then takes the mic and reveals they will clash in a Ladder Match at the Royal Rumble! Owens says he'll see him there and puts his hand out. Cody ignores it and Kevin acts offended before he PUSHES NICK ALDIS INTO CODY!!

Cody gets in the ring and argues with Aldis off-mic. He moves very slowly, clearly hurt. Cody then says to take both titles and hang them high above the ring. Cody then challenges Kevin Owens to a Ladder Match!!

Nick says for Cody's health and for the company's sake to walk away. Cody says he's not going to walk away. He says he doesn't want Nick to take the title from Kevin Owens and he doesn't want to make Kevin a martyr. He says he doesn't do this for himself, but for people like Triple H, Randy Orton, his friend in the front row, and fans. Cody says it isn't Nick's responsibility to take the title from Kevin, it is Cody's.

Kevin tries to mock Cody, but Rhodes cuts him off and tells him to shut up. Cody says he wants a match where a referee can't stop what he's going to do to him.

Owens says he had Cody beat and everyone knows it. Nick already said this wasn't a negotiation. He told Kevin to hand the belt over or he'd never set foot in a WWE ring again. Wow.

THEN CODY RHODES' MUSIC HITS!

Back from break and the chaos has ended with Kevin Owens in the ring with Nick Aldis. Aldis asks for the belt back and Kevin says that would be a mistake, as it is the only bargaining chip he has left. He wants a rematch with Cody where a referee can't rob him of the victory.

Sami comes in to try to save Braun, but Jacob Fatu lays him out and Solo hits a Samoan Spike. The crowd chants "OTC" and then Kevin Owens' music hits! This is chaos!

Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and Solo Sikoa beat down Sami. Braun comes back from the backstage area and throws Tama away. Braun and Solo then start brawling in the ring. Braun levels Solo and sends him to the floor! Jacob Fatu then gets in the ring. Fatu and Braun have a staredown before Tama comes in and takes out Braun's leg!

From there, Solo hits multiple Samoan Spikes!

Carmelo hits a beautiful springboard DDT, but it can't stop Sami. He fires back with a clothesline and then corner punches! The crowd is on fire! Sami then hits an exploder in the corner. He goes for the Helluva Kick, but Melo runs to the floor. He begins to walk out, but Braun Strowman's music hits! He goes after Carmelo and chases him to the back.

Meanwhile, in the ring, The New Bloodline attack Sami!

Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes ends in a no contest

Sami catches Carmelo and hits a huge Blue Thunder Bomb. His arm seems okay after all. Melo kicks out and the two fight on the ropes. Sami knocks Melo off and goes for a move, but Melo avoids it. He then hits the First 48 for a near fall.

Carmelo Hayes disrespects Sami, pushing his face as commentary confirms the Kevin Owens-Nick Aldis segment is the main event.

Sami fires up and clotheslines Carmelo as a result of the disrespectful shots. He then hits a back elbow and a double axe handle.

Back from break and WWE promotes the final RAW of 2024, the last episode on USA. No matches were noted, however.

From there, Carmelo Hayes is in control over Sami. He smashes Zayn face first into the buckle, but Sami fires up and returns the favor. He goes for a suplex, but Hayes counters. He then hits a springboard crossbody before clubbing away at the Canadian star.

Sami hits multiple big chops, but Melo uses his speed to take over. He hits a big back roll and dropkick for a quick pin, but Sami kicks out. Sami then manages to counter a move and sends Hayes to the floor. He fakes Melo out with a dive.

The two then fight on the floor and Sami jumps up to the top of the barricade and hits a moonsault! WOW!

Notably, Sami was favoring his arm. He might've gotten injured.

Next up, Sami Zayn comes out. The O.G. Bloodline member will take on Carmelo Hayes. Melo comes out next and gets a lot of boos.

Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

This should be great. Carmelo throws out Christmas cards of him beating down Braun Strowman with a chair before the match started. Melo and Sami then tie up as the crowd chants "Sami Uso."

Back from break and DIY confronts Pretty Deadly. Johnny asks Pretty Deadly what they're up to. Pretty Deadly said they watch their backs and DIY should have theirs. DIY walks off. The Street Profits then confront Pretty Deadly, offering them respect for telling the truth about Los Garzas. Motor City Machine Guns, then tell The Street Profits if anyone is getting a rematch, it's them.

Then Apollo Crews shows up! He says Pretty Deadly lied, and it was DIY who attacked them, and he saw it. Wow!

Next, we get an Andrade vignette. He talks about Shinsuke Nakamura. He says there is nobody better at wrestling than Andrade. Vince McMahon wouldn't like that line. Andrade says he's coming for Nakamura and says he will expose him. Andrade then says everyone will remember Andrade is inevitable. Channeling Thanos there!

Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is NEXT WEEK! Naomi vs. Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Title will also take place next week!

Angel and Berto hit duel moonsaults, but don't get the win. Dawkins tags in, but Elektra pulls away at Angelo's leg. B-Fab rushes over and lays out Elektra! Ford then hits a dive and they quickly hit the Doomsday Blockbuster for the win!!

The Street Profits defeat Los Garza via pinfall

Angel tags back in, but Ford fights back and hits a big jumping DDT! Montez crawls over and gets the tag! Dawkins comes in and takes out both guys with strikes and a flapjack. He hits a twisting neckbreaker to Berto for a near fall.

He then tags in Ford and they attempt a super blockbuster, but Angel stops it. Angel and Berto then hit a HUGE double military press to Ford from the ropes! That was insane!

After the break, Angel Garza is in full control over Montez. Ford starts to fight back, but Angel hits a spinebuster. Los Garza then hit a cool double strike. Berto now legal and he hits a dropkick to Montez's head and taunts him. The crowd boos. They are NOT happy.

Things break down again, with Ford in control. Angel then manages to use the turnbuckle and apron to hurt Ford as we rush to commercial. That was quick.

Angelo Dawkins tags in, but Berto gets the upper hand. Angel tags in and they hit a double team move. Angel is wearing a tee for some reason. Angel rips away at Dawkins before Berto tags in and Angel finally takes his shirt off. Dawkins fights back and levels Berto before tagging Ford in. Montez hits a big moonsault for a near fall.

Back from break and an impromptu match is underway!

The Street Profits vs. Los Garza

This started during the break. Things are chaotic with all four stars wrestling. Montez and Berto hit dueling dives. They then brawl in the ring with Ford hitting a clothesline.

Next, we see DIY backstage. They see The Street Profits, B-Fab, and Nick Aldis. Aldis asks if they have anything they want to tell them about Montez and Angelo being attacked weeks ago. They said it sucks and played innocent. Nick reveals they had witnesses on the scene. Pretty Deadly show up. They play hard to get, asking for funding, but Nick Aldis threatens their jobs.

The two stutter and reveal it was Los Garza. The Street Profits then go hunting for them and a brawl starts! Security shows up and Nick tells them to take it to the ring.

Michin says if it wasn't for Piper, she'd be champion. She then says she'll introduce Chelsea to her friend, a kendo stick. Piper tries to stop Michin, but gets laid out. Michin chases after Chelsea in the ring, but she avoids getting hit and Niven carries Chelsea to safety.

Chelsea challenges the fans to ask themselves not what Chelsea can do for them, but what can they do for Chelsea Green. She says 2025 is the year of red, white, and green. Then Michin's music hits!

Chelsea says she needs to give credit to the woman who got her there.. and she said herself, of course, not Piper. Fans didn't like that and neither did Piper. Chelsea then says good riddance to Michin. She says Canadians don't lie and Michael Cole laughs at that. Chelsea says Michin will never be champion and she's shocked she even made it that far in the tournament.

It looks like Chelsea Green's gimmick has changed and now she's all patriotic. She says they turned the blue brand into the green house. She calls herself the most glamorous, richest, tannest, and a bunch of other words to describe herself.

From there, Piper Niven is in the ring with a bunch of flags, balloons, and a podium. She praises Chelsea Green and welcomes her to the ring! The new Women's United States Champion then comes out dressed as Lady Liberty. That's a bizarre look.

Back from break and an ad highlights the change to three hours. That starts next week. We then get a car promo from Kevin Owens. He says he heard what Nick Aldis said, but he has the Winged Eagle championship. He says he's the rightful WWE Champion. Kevin says they need to have a little discussion. Owens says he'll come into the arena, but on his terms, one-on-one in the ring alone. No office cronies or security. Kevin says then they can talk. Wow.

Michael Cole confirms SmackDown is moving to three hours! From there, we get a look at Chelsea Green winning the Women's United States Championship.

Braun climbs the ropes to do a splash, but Waller shows back up! The distraction allows Austin to lift Braun up, only for him to collapse. Strowman then hits a running powerslam for the win.

Braun Strowman defeats Austin Theory by pinfall

Strowman hits a big dropkick on Austin, sending Theory to the floor. He tries to hit the ropes, but Waller attempts to interfere. Braun stomps on Waller's arm, then tosses an attacking Theory back out of the ring. Strowman then does his train run, and Waller avoids it and leaves the arena, but Theory gets leveled. Grayson ditches his friend!

Back from the break, the crowd is chanting, "Let's go, Strowman," as Austin Theory is in control. Austin puffs his body up to mock Braun, pushing his face, only to eat a brutal chop to the chest. Theory fights it and punches Strowman. He pins the monster, but Braun kicks out at one!

Strowman is LIFTED by Theory, but slides off. Braun then hits an insane beal on Theory, sending him flying across the ring.

Next up, Braun Strowman comes out. A-Town Down Under then follow. Grayson Waller is wearing a bizarre pair of overalls in a new look.

Austin Theory vs. Braun Strowman

Braun dominates early on, but Theory moves and Braun crashes into the corner.

Sami is talking to Nick and says The Bloodline showed up on RAW, so he's here to get revenge. Carmelo Hayes then interrupt things, giving Aldis grief for not believing in him over Braun. Sami takes exception to Carmelo interrupting them. This leads to a tense argument. Sami then challenges Carmelo to a match TONIGHT. Wow!

After the commercial, WWE promotes John Cena's last-ever appearance in Toronto for Elimination Chamber in March. That'll be on Saturday, March 1st.

Backstage, A-Town Down Under are ranting to Nick Aldis about Braun Strowman destroying their set. He blows them off saying he has a meeting. RAW's Sami Zayn then shows up! He says they should talk.

Is Sami changing brands?!

With everyone down, Tiffany grabs her Money in the Bank briefcase and teases cashing in. The crowd erupts, but Candice stops her! Tiffany and Candice argue before Candice tags in. Naomi hits a big move and pins Candice while everyone is distracted and Nia is furious!

Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Bayley defeat Candice LeRae, Tiffany Stratton, and Nia Jax by pinfall

Back from break and Bayley and Nia Jax are fighting by the apron. Bayley kicks Nia off and crawls over for a tag and Naomi gets it! Tiffany tags in and Naomi takes her down repeatedly. Naomi hits her spinning bulldog, but Tiffany kicks out at two! Tiffany counters an irish whip with a forearm, but gets leveled with a Bayley to Belly. Things break down and everyone is in the ring.

Nia goes to the ropes and NAOMI SLAMS HER OFF THE ROPES!

Bayley is getting worked over and then Candice brutally slams Bayley face first into the apron. Nia Jax cheers her on as we go to break.

The arguing led to Bianca getting the tag and Bayley came in like a house of fire. She went right after Candice, sending the Poison Pixie to the floor. She went for a corner dropkick, but Candice countered and Bayley smashed head first into the ring post. She might be hurt.

Candice gets stiff strikes in early on, but Bianca fights back alongside Naomi. Commentary mentions Naomi and Bianca having a lot of chemistry. A distraction then causes Belair to get flattened by a Nia Jax leg drop. Nia and Candice keep tagging in, hitting a double team Spinebuster dropkick.

Candice and Tiffany then start arguing!

After the break, Nia Jax and Bayley are in the ring. Bianca gets Nia in the corner and hits repeated strikes. Naomi then gives Nia a stink face of sorts - humiliating. Nia didn't like it either, as she snapped and hit a pop up headbutt and did a Rhea Ripley-like pin to Naomi, who kicked out. Candice LeRae then tags in.