Welcome or welcome back to our weekly WWE SmackDown review series where we recap some of the biggest hits and misses from the show.
The January 3 episode of SmackDown was the first three-hour broadcast of the blue brand since its inception in 1999. It also happened to the final SmackDown before WWE enters its streaming era with RAW on Netflix.
That said, let’s get to our WWE SmackDown hits and misses for January 3, 2025.
Hit – Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
A solid opening contest featuring two men who are no strangers to each other. Andrade and Nakamura go back to their Japan days. Shin seems to have developed a thing for turnbuckles, which isn’t bad given his heel gimmick. However, the turnbuckle spot doesn’t need to become a regular thing moving forward.
Miss – Michin vs. Piper Niven on WWE SmackDown
They’re clearly setting up Michin as the next Women’s United States Champion but at Piper Niven’s expense. The finisher looked weak as hell. Michin and Bayley both need a new WWE finisher in 2025. Hopefully, Triple H has plans for a lengthy title run for Chelsea Green because she really needs to solidify her reign.
Hit – #DIY vs. MCMG
This feels like the start of a best-of series between #DIY and MCMG, which looks great on paper. Both teams can actually deliver because they just did last night on WWE SmackDown. The match was great except for the telegraphed ending featuring Pretty Deadly. Let’s see if we’ll get #DIY versus MCMG at a PLE.
Miss – No Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown
What were they thinking with not having Roman Reigns on the first SmackDown of 2025. It’s the first three-hours show of the blue brand and you don’t have your biggest star on it. If that’s not a major miss then I don’t know what is. There was a lot of talk about Reigns vs. Sikoa for the ulafala (which now has a stipulation) but no Reigns to actually hype the match on Netflix. Make it make sense!
Hit – It’s Tiffy Time!
After teasing a cash-in for months and months, Tiffany Stratton finally did it on the first WWE SmackDown of the New Year. The spot followed an incredible, incredible match-up between Naomi and Nia Jax. Bianca Belair looked superb lifting the gigantic Jax on her shoulders for the KOD. Jax was a great heel champion but the star of the night was clearly, and rightfully, Tiffany Stratton. Bow down because it’s Tiffy Time!
Honorable Mention
Drew McIntyre popping up on SmackDown was a nice surprise. The Scottish Warrior’s run-in in the main event, which, by the way, was a great six-man tag team match, allowed Solo Siko and his crew to defeat Sami Zayn and The Usos.
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How would you rate 1/3 WWE SmackDown on a scale of 1 to 10? Let us know in the comments!
