{"id":56212,"date":"2025-05-23T20:38:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T19:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/?p=56212"},"modified":"2025-05-23T20:38:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T19:38:32","slug":"smackdown-preview-may-23-what-to-expect-from-smackdown-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/smackdown-preview-may-23-what-to-expect-from-smackdown-tonight\/","title":{"rendered":"SmackDown Preview May 23, 2025 \u2013 What To Expect From SmackDown Tonight? MITB Qualification Matches, Return of the Viper and More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>WWE Friday Night SmackDown will take place to start yet another wrestling-packed weekend. Friday Night SmackDown will be followed by Saturday Night&rsquo;s Main Event and WWE Battleground on Sunday. The long weekend will end with Monday Night Raw. With a star-studded gempacked weekend, the Friday Night SmackDown has to start with a blast.<\/p><p>WWE has announced three matches so far, but it is expected that the remaining matches will be announced on the spot. The event is scheduled to take place in Enmarket Arena, Savannah, Georgia, USA. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">WHO YA GOT when <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RealLAKnight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@RealLAKnight<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aleister_Blxck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@Aleister_Blxck<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShinsukeN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@ShinsukeN<\/a> battle in a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MITB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#MITB<\/a> Triple Threat Qualifying Match TOMORROW on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#SmackDown<\/a>! &#129297;&#128293;<br><br>Tune in at 5:30 AM (IST) on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NetflixIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@NetflixIndia<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/owzjPUTgqr\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/owzjPUTgqr<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WWE India (@WWEIndia) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEIndia\/status\/1925801127791968695?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>May 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Are Speculated to Return on WWE SmackDown<\/h2><p>Cody Rhodes has been nowhere to be seen after the events of WrestleMania 41. He lost his WWE Undisputed Championship and was heartbroken at the end of the match, not because he lost the title, but because of the way he lost it. John Cena cheated his way to victory and became the WWE Champion for the 17th time. John Cena has defended his title at Backlash and will compete at SNME, but Cody Rhodes is yet to return. <\/p><p>Randy Orton also competed with his arch-rival John Cena, but The Last Real Champion was able to defend his title at Backlash. Thanks to the help from his two friends, R-Truth and Cheating. I would have never thought we would see something like that from John Cena. He will now defend his title against R-Truth at SNME. Randy Orton is also expected to address the crowd for the first time after his heartbreaking defeat at Backlash.<\/p><p><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/theplayoffs.news\/en\/roman-reigns-is-reportedly-in-talks-to-star-in-live-action-street-fighter-movie\/\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>Roman Reigns Is Reportedly in Talks To Star in Live Action &lsquo;Street Fighter&rsquo; Movie!<\/a><\/em><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Money In the Bank Qualification Matches<\/h2><p>WWE started the MITB qualification matches last week on Friday Night SmackDown. Alexa Bliss became the first woman, and Solo Sikoa became the first man, to qualify for Money in the Bank. Rhea Ripley and Roxanne Perez followed Alexa Bliss to qualify for MITB on Monday Night Raw. WWE has announced a match between Charlotte Flair, Zelina Vega, and Giulia to get the fourth member for the Women&rsquo;s Money in the Bank match.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MsCharlotteWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@MsCharlotteWWE<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelinaVegaWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@ZelinaVegaWWE<\/a> aur <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/giulia0221g?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@giulia0221g<\/a> battle karenge ek <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MITB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#MITB<\/a> Triple Threat Qualifying Match mein! Who will qualify? &#129297;<br><br>Find out TOMORROW on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#SmackDown<\/a>, airing LIVE at 5:30 AM on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NetflixIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@NetflixIndia<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mxfRMZve1r\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/mxfRMZve1r<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WWE India (@WWEIndia) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWEIndia\/status\/1925840582372392965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>May 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>After Solo Sikoa qualified for the MITB ladder match, LA Knight, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Aleister Black will collide to decide the second wrestler for the Money in the Bank. Shinsuke Nakamura will make his return to WWE after a long time. He lost his WWE United States title to LA Knight and was never to be seen until he shared a video message to announce his return last week.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShinsukeN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@ShinsukeN<\/a> has a message for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RealLAKnight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@RealLAKnight<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Aleister_Blxck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>@Aleister_Blxck<\/a> ahead of their <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MITB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#MITB<\/a> Triple Threat Qualifying Match next week&hellip;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SmackDown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>#SmackDown<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cQkBBWj8Aw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>pic.twitter.com\/cQkBBWj8Aw<\/a><\/p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WWE\/status\/1923569099939926450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" class=\"trk-cta-link\" data-cta-trk='{\"ctaType\":\"Link\",\"ctaSubType\":\"main\"}'>May 17, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure><p>Image Credit: WWE.com<\/p>\n<div class=\"mm-layout mm-layout-type-post mm-layout-slot4\">\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get to know all about WWE SmackDown Tonight.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":56226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mux_skip_reasons":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[438],"tags":[1131,7087,807,4690,4300],"class_list":["post-56212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wwe","tag-smackdown","tag-smackdown-preview","tag-wwe","tag-wwe-friday-night-smackdown","tag-wwe-smackdown"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>SmackDown Preview May 23, 2025 &ndash; What To Expect From SmackDown Tonight? 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