A lot of fans aren't too happy with the John Cena heel turn; not because they have a hero they've lost. It's more about the current direction of the WWE and their storylines. Last week, Cody Rhodes returned for the first time since losing the Universal Championship to now 17-time champion Cena, but it wasn't on Friday Night Smackdown, rather on the quarterly Saturday Night's Main Event.

So this Friday's return to the blue brand will be Rhodes' official return to his home. On SNME, Cena interjected himself in Raw's champion Jey Uso's fight with Logan Paul, leading to a strange tag-team pairing between Cena and Paul and Uso and Rhodes that not too many people were angling to see. Can the next week of shows do something to entice fans to care? 

Rhodes was able to put a whipping on Cena, so there's likely retaliation in the cards on tonight's show.

The qualifying matches for the MiTB ladder matches are the real draws here, as Jacob Fatu, the reining US champion is in action. The women's match between Nia Jax, Naomi and Jade Cargill has a ton of star power, and it will be interesting to see who prevails to join the women's match, which was the highlight of last year's PLE.

Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Time: 8 pm ET
Location: Thompson-Bolling Arena, Knoxville, TN
Broadcast: USA Network 

Known Matches Preview

• Naomi vs Nia Jax vs Jade Cargill MiTB qualifier
• Andrade vs Carmelo Hayes vs Jacob Fatu MiTB qualifer

Known Appearances (either matches or promos)

• Bianca Belair
• John Cena
• Cody Rhodes

Appearance list courtesy of KhelNow. 

Match Results

Bianca Belair Returns

After being out for several weeks with broken fingers (still taped up with a splint), the return to Tennessee for the promo brings back Belair. After singing Rocky Top with the crowd, Naomi interrupts to rekindle the drama. Trying to get back in Belair's good graces, Naomi reveals that she broke into The EST's parent's house. 

Belair tells her if she ever comes near her family again, she'll do worse to Naomi than what Naomi did to Jade Cargill. Cargill comes out and beats Naomi down, and Storm and Belair size each other up before starting to leave the ring, Nia Jax emerges to lead into the MiTB qualifier.

Nia Jax vs Jade Cargill v Naomi (MiTB) 

Winner: Naomi

R-Truth vs JC Mateo

Winner: JC Mateo

Street Profits Challenged

Last week's title match against Fraxiom was interrupted first by DIY and Motor City Machine Guns, all before the Wyatt 6 showed up to clean house. Repeat.

Why is the Wyatt 6 targeting the SmackDown tag teams?

Rey Fenix, Ja'Vonn Evans vs Los Garzos (Ethan Page announcing)

Winner: Los Garzos

Zelina Vega (c) vs Alba Fyre for Women's United States Championship

Winner: Zelina Vega

Carmelo Hayes vs Andrade vs Jacob Fatu in MitB qualifier

Winner: Andrade

Cody Rhodes promo

In his first SmackDown appearance since losing the title, Rhodes brought out Jey Uso and they were countered by John Cena and Logan Paul. It was a prep for next Saturday and while yes it was great to see Rhodes again, this beingt he main event for a PLE is a yawner.