WWE Smackdown May 16: Tiffany Stratton beats Nia Jax to retain the WWE women's championship
Tiffany Stratton retained the WWE Women¡¯s Championship on the May 16 episode of SmackDown after defeating Nia Jax in a chaotic main event. The match featured outside interference from Naomi, near-falls, and chair shots before Stratton secured the win with her finisher.
The final match on May 16 episode of Friday Night SmackDown gave fans something special. Tiffany Stratton put her WWE Women¡¯s Championship on the line against Nia Jax and walked out still champion. But this was not an easy win. This was a full-on fight. The match had big moves, wild moments, and everything you expect from a main event.
Since cashing in her Money in the Bank contract back in January, Tiffany Stratton has defended her title four times. Jax came into this match full of confidence after beating Jade Cargill last week. Both women knew what was at stake and didn¡¯t waste any time. They traded big shots right away. Stratton moved fast and used creative offense. Jax stayed grounded and used her power. It felt like either one could win at any point.
A match filled with chaos and heart
Stratton landed her handspring elbow and a spinebuster but couldn¡¯t keep Jax down. Jax hit a sit-down powerbomb and a leg drop. Still no three-count. The crowd got louder with every near fall. Then things got crazy. Naomi¡¯s music hit and she rushed to the ring with a steel chair. Before she could interfere, Jade Cargill ran out and tackled her. Both women fought into the crowd and disappeared backstage.
TIFFANY STRATTON HAS RETAINED THE WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST NIA JAX.
¡ª TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) May 17, 2025
NIA JAX IS BUSTED OPEN LIKE CRAZY ?
THIS WAS ACTUALLY A GREAT MATCH ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hPowFaoaR4
Back inside, Stratton finally hit her finishing move, the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Jax shocked everyone by kicking out. No one had ever done that before. Stratton looked stunned but refused to give up. She went back up to the top rope but Jax shoved her down hard. Then Jax hit a Samoan Drop through the announce table. Fans thought that was it.
Jax rolled Stratton back in and hit the Annihilator. Stratton somehow grabbed the bottom rope. Jax picked up the title and distracted the referee. She reached for the chair Naomi left behind. That was her big mistake. Stratton saw her opening and dropkicked the chair right into Jax¡¯s face.
AND STILL! ?@tiffstrattonwwe retains and she's still your WWE Women's Champion! ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6zKhRNZlD2
¡ª WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2025
Tiffany climbed the turnbuckle and hit her second Prettiest Moonsault Ever. This time it worked. She pinned Jax and kept her title. The match was fast, messy, emotional, and everything fans love about wrestling. Jax gave her best but Stratton found a way. She¡¯s still the WWE Women¡¯s Champion and after a win like this, she¡¯s not giving that title up anytime soon.