***Warning – this article contains spoilers for this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown***
WWE fans are in for a treat on Friday as a Hall of Famer makes their return on SmackDown.
In a rare move, the sports entertainment giant pre-taped this week’s episode of SmackDown immediately after last night’s edition of Monday Night Raw.
During the show, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was in the ring with Queen of the Ring winner Jade Cargill as they hyped their upcoming match at SummerSlam next month.
However, the champ insisted she also wanted to defend her title at Evolution, WWE’s all-women’s premium live event, on July 13.
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According to fans on social media, she was soon interrupted by legendary wrestler Trish Stratus, who accepted the challenge to set the stage for a dream match in a couple of weeks.
The Evolution bout will mark the Hall of Famer’s first singles championship opportunity since she beat Lita in her original retirement match on Raw in 2006.
Elsewhere on the show, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss team up to take on The Secret Hervice and the duo of B-Fab and Michin.
The winner will get a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Championships at Evolution – but Metro has decided not to spoil the results of any of Friday’s matches.
Fraxiom (Nathan Fraser and Axiom) are set to face new team Andrade and Rey Fenix in what should be a barnstormer of a match, while Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso come together against JC Mateo and new United States Champion Solo Sikoa.
WWE PLE schedule for 2025
- NXT Great American Bash – July 12
- WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event – July 12
- WWE Evolution – July 13
- WWE SummerSlam – August 2 & 3
- WWE Clash In Paris – August 31
- WWE Crown Jewel: Perth – October 11
- WWE Survivor Series: WarGames – November 29
It’s all about the tag team division this week, as the other match taped for SmackDown pits members of Motor City Machine Guns, Los Garzas, #DIY and Street Profits against The Wyatt Sicks.
Chris Sabin, Berto, Johnny Gargano and Montez Ford will all be representing their respective teams in the 8-man tag team match.
Meanwhile, Trish’s return means the card for Evolution is taking shape, after Iyo Sky picked Rhea Ripley as her challenger for the Women’s World Championship.
Roxanne Perez will replace the injured Liv Morgan as she and Raquel Rodriguez defend the Women’s Tag Team Titles, and NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will face Jordynne Grace.
There will also be a Battle Royal, with the winner getting a world championship match at Clash In Paris on August 31.
Why isn’t WWE SmackDown live on Netflix this week?
This Friday is the 4th of July, so WWE has taken the decision to give its talent and crew a few days off.
According to WWE’s website, the next live show is Monday Night Raw on July 7, meaning the superstars will get a good break over the holidays.
Things will be back to normal after that, with episodes aired live over the summer.
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