WARNING: The following recap contains major SPOILERS for WWE Friday Night SmackDown from April 4, 2025. Proceed with caution – you have been warned!
WWE makes its much-anticipated return to the United States following an extensive European tour, landing in CM Punk’s hometown of Rosemont, IL for the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The atmosphere is electric as tensions escalate between Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk as they move closer to their showdown at WrestleMania 41. In a previous episode, Punk expressed gratitude to Reigns for his involvement in the main event while hinting that the favor owed to him from Paul Heyman, Reigns’ Wiseman, was still a mystery. The night promises thrilling matchups as well, with the WWE debuts of Ray Fenix, Jacob Fatu, and a gripping last-man-standing match involving Braun Strowman to determine the next challenger for LA Knight‘s United States Championship.
Key Highlights from April 4, 2025’s Friday Night SmackDown:
- CM Punk kickstarts the evening to rousing applause from the home crowd. He faces off with Paul Heyman, who presses Punk to clarify the favor he owes him. Punk insists on revealing it directly to Roman Reigns.
- In a historic debut, Ray Fenix takes on Nathan Frazer, showcasing his talent as he strives to make an immediate impact in WWE.
- Drew McIntyre makes a brief on-screen appearance sporting a fresh eye patch, hinting at his ongoing feud with Damian Priest, who is expected to face him at WrestleMania 41.
- In a non-title bout, LA Knight competes against Tama Tonga, demonstrating his prowess in the ring.
- Backstage, Byron Saxton confronts Heyman, urging him to squeeze out the favor from Punk. Meanwhile, Seth Rollins makes a surprise appearance, critiquing Heyman’s appearance and expressing his desire to be present when the favor is disclosed.
- Mysterious promos hint at a possible return for Aleister Black, intensifying speculation among fans.
- Wade Barrett oversees a tense segment featuring Charlotte Flair and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, with Flair claiming she’s generously selected Stratton as her opponent. This sparks a heated exchange, with the Chicago audience vocally supporting Stratton.
- Nick Aldis announces an exciting women’s tag team gauntlet match, with the victors set to challenge Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 41.
- In a pivotal match-up, the Motor City Machine Guns clash with #DIY to secure the number one contender spot for the WWE Tag Team Championships held by The Street Profits.
- A backstage encounter sees The Miz and Carmelo Hayes mock Pretty Deadly, escalating their ongoing rivalry.
- Naomi faces off against B-Fab but suffers a pre-match attack from Jade Cargill, leading to a confrontation that sets the stage for their WrestleMania encounter.
- Damian Priest responds to McIntyre’s promo, calling him out for past failures as they gear up for their major match at WrestleMania 41.
- Kevin Owens confirms unfortunate reports regarding a serious neck injury, revealing his need for surgery and the cancellation of his WrestleMania match. An enraged Randy Orton retaliates against Aldis following the news.
- Jacob Fatu defeats Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match, earning the shot to face LA Knight at WrestleMania 41.
- The episode features a replay of the Cody Rhodes and John Cena segment from Monday Night Raw, announcing Rhodes will appear on next week’s SmackDown.
- Finally, Roman Reigns arrives to confront Punk and Rollins, demanding Punk disclose the favored secret. After some back-and-forth, Punk reveals that he desires Heyman in his corner during the WrestleMania main event. Reigns dismisses the idea but ultimately, Heyman agrees to fulfill Punk’s request. The show culminates with Punk delivering a GTS to Reigns, shifting the momentum toward WrestleMania.
Results from Friday Night SmackDown on April 4, 2025:
- Ray Fenix def. Nathan Frazer via pinfall
- LA Knight def. Tama Tonga via pinfall
- Motor City Machine Guns def. #DIY via pinfall
- Naomi def. B-Fab via pinfall
- Jacob Fatu def. Braun Strowman via ten count to challenge LA Knight at WrestleMania 41
CM Punk’s Favor Is Finally Revealed
Punk Wants The Wiseman In His Corner For The Match
.@CMPunk wants @HeymanHustle in his corner at #WrestleMania 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OmAZ1EJyoB — WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2025
Tonight, CM Punk’s anticipated favor from Paul Heyman was unveiled, marking a pivotal moment as he requested Heyman’s support for his first WrestleMania main event. This request has stirred up tension between Heyman and Roman Reigns, launching a story arc that intricately links the long-standing dynamic between Punk and Heyman while further complicating the existing relationships with Reigns and Rollins.
While the favor may not have been precisely what fans anticipated, it serves as a powerful nod to WWE loyalties, reigniting past alliances that contribute depth to the evolving narrative. The Unfolding tension within the Bloodline and between Punk and Rollins suggests that this storyline will continue to evolve beyond Las Vegas.
What’s Next For Randy Orton Now?
His WrestleMania Match Future is Uncertain
.@RandyOrton is in disbelief and took it out on @RealNickAldis 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/M4a89Oabbv — WWE (@WWE) April 5, 2025
After Kevin Owens disclosed his serious injury and subsequent withdrawal from WrestleMania 41, Randy Orton now finds himself without a confirmed opponent, creating uncertainty in his future booking. The expected payoff of his storyline has been halted, leaving fans speculating about potential replacements.
Despite this, Orton’s adaptability and ability to weave compelling narratives could allow for a last-minute opponent to emerge. With less than two weeks before the major event, possibilities abound—from continued clashes with The Bloodline, a potential storyline with Karrion Kross, or an anticipated return match with Nick Aldis. Each scenario offers intriguing angles to ensure Orton secures his spot at the event.