John Cena and Cody Rhodes SummerSlam 2025 contract signing.
WWE SmackDown advertised a contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes ahead of their WWE Championship rematch at SummerSlam. SmackDown also advertised Jacob Fatu’s return and Stephanie Vaquer in action.
Last week’s broadcast of SmackDown did 1.399 million viewers for July 11, 2025.
WWE SmackDown Ratings And Viewership
- July 11, 2025 | 1.399 million
- July 4, 2025 | 1.166 million
- June 27, 2025 | 1.450 million
- June 20, 2025 | 1.524 million
- June 13, 2025 | 1.401 million
WWE SmackDown Results On July 18, 2025
- Charlotte Flair def. Raquel Rodriguez
- Damian Preist def. Carmelo Hayes via DQ
- Stephanie Vaquer def. Alba Fyre
- Andrade and Rey Fenix win Tag Team Fatal 4-Way
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Frost Bank Center (San Antonio, TX)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 15,010
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Available: 19
WWE SmackDown Highlights, Winners And Grades
Charlotte Flair Def. Raquel Rodriguez
SmackDown opened, not with the arrivals, but with a crime scene as there had been a car accident. San Antonio police were speaking with MFT as they were searching for answers.
Backstage, Charlotte Flair begrudgingly asked her “not-friend” Alexa Bliss to corner her against Raquel Rodriguez. The two will have a Women’s Tag Team Championship match at SummerSlam.
Roxanne Perez tried distracting Flair by jumping on the apron, but Flair barreled into Perez and sent her to the floor. Bliss took advantage of this distraction to hit Rodriguez with one of her pom-poms, helping Charlotte win.
Backstage, San Antonio’s finest wanted to speak with Jacob Fatu, a situation that he’s familiar with.
Charlotte vs. Raquel Rodriguez Grade: B-
Damian Priest Def. Carmelo Hayes By DQ
Carmelo Hayes came out of the brakes hot, but Damian Priest cut him off with a big boot before Priest even took his robe off.
Carmelo Hayes shined throughout this match, like when he got the crowd riled up by (sarcastically) tuning up the band for Sweet Chin Music in homage to San Antonio’s own Shawn Michaels.
The more Joe Tessitore talked up the possibility of Carmelo scoring a “signature upset,” the less I believed it was going to happen.
A “This is awesome” type match ended in disqualification when Aleister Black hit Damian Priest with the Black Mass two times. Carmelo backed down from Black as fans chanted “You suck!” at Aleister. “I heard you’re looking for me,” said Black.
Damian Priest vs. Carmel Hayes Grade: B+
Solo Sikoa Appears Live
There was massive heat for Solo Sikoa, who spent his promo accusing Jacob Fatu of being guilty of SmackDown’s car accident shenanigans. “Once a criminal, always a criminal,” said Solo. Fans also gave Solo the “What” treatment.
Mid-promo, Fatu was shown as being released by the “Punk-ass police,” as Fatu called them. He was accompanied by Jimmy Uso, who also jumped MFT from behind.
Fatu and Jimmy hit four super kicks and an assisted cross body to finally knock Talla Tonga off his feet. Fatu obliterated Solo, but was cut off by JC Mateo before he could pillmanize him.
Fatu beat down the MFTs with a steel chair. This brought out Adam Pearce, who announced a US Title match between Fatu and Solo at SummerSlam. To add incarceration to injury, Solo Sikoa was arrested.
Solo Sikoa-Jacob Fatu Segment: B
Stephanie Vaquer Def. Alba Fyre
Stephanie Vaquer hit the Devil’s Kiss early in the match, even though Tessitore told Wade Barrett not to get his hopes up. She then finished off Alba Fyre with an SVB in what was essentially a squash match.
Vaquer fought off the Secret Hervice after the match and posed as the announcers talked up her future championship match at Clash in Paris.
Andrade And Rey Fenix Def. MCMG, DIY And Fraxiom
Rey Fenix was fully covered like Rey Mysterio at Halloween Havoc ’97.
This was a party match with every team taking turns getting their stuff in. Very entertaining, but fans treated this as more of a comedown match as John Cena and Cody Rhodes were on deck.
Coming out of commercial break, Rey Fenix singlehandedly got this crowd into this match with an insane Lucha Libre comeback.
Gargano misfired on a superkick on Ciampa. This opened the door for Fenix to fly to the outside with The Message on Gargano. Andrade picked up the win. If this wasn’t a one-match rehabilitation mission for Fenix in WWE, it was close.
I consider this an upset as it earned Fenix and Andrade a Tag Team Title match in Johnny Gargano’s hometown of Cleveland, OH.
Tag Team Fatal 4-Way Grade: B+
Cody Rhodes And John Cena Contract Signing
Cody Rhodes was slightly booed, but he still said “I appreciate the reception,” unironically. He noted his father and brother were Texans, and got huge pops.
Cody said he did not flinch in a variety of trying situations, including when the Final Boss tried to use politics to steal his soul.
Fans went wild for John Cena, dressed in a San Antonio Spurs-influenced t-shirt. Cena is still playing a heel. Cena insisted he will not be at SummerSlam since he is filming a big movie for Netflix in New York City. Cena is “Emotionally exhausted,” and the Netflix team felt that he should not continue to exhaust himself. Fans were furious.
Cena thanked the fans and said he appreciated their understanding. They booed the heel out of him as he attempted to leave the arena.
Heel commentator Wade Barrett celebrated when babyface Cody Rhodes chased down Cena and attacked him.
Cena quickly took control of Cody red socks and attempted to hit Cody with the title. Cody absconded the title and pulled the trigger, hitting Cena in the head with it. Cody hit a flying splash through the table and forced Cena to sign the contract to a huge pop.
“Check the fine print, it’s not just a match for the title at SummerSlam. It’s a Street Fight!” said Cody.
