On September 5, 2025, WWE SmackDown began with John Cena addressing the Chicago crowd, who gave him a heartfelt “Thank you Cena” chant. Cena, marking his final appearance on SmackDown, said he had no specific plans but wanted to enjoy the evening. Reflecting on his memorable moments in the ring, some of which took place in the same arena, he promised fans an exciting night ahead.
Sami Zayn soon entered, expressing gratitude toward Cena for his contributions to WWE. Zayn reminisced about his debut match against Cena and then issued an open challenge for a title match immediately. Cena accepted, setting up an intense United States Championship bout to kick off the action before a commercial break.
United States Championship Match Between Sami Zayn and John Cena Ends in Chaos
The match saw Sami Zayn control the early stages, countered by Cena’s signature moves like the shoulder tackle and five-knuckle shuffle. Sami avoided Cena’s Attitude Adjustment and delivered his Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. The back-and-forth contest featured several near pinfalls, including Cena’s powerbomb and multiple Attitude Adjustments.
The intensity ramped up as Sami locked Cena in the ankle lock, only for Cena to shift into the STF submission hold. Both competitors exchanged their finishers, with Cena striking a big spear and Sami delivering his Helluva Kick for yet another close call. Just as Cena readied for an RKO, Sami countered, but Cena followed with an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment.
The match took an unexpected turn when Brock Lesnar made a shocking return, appearing in the ring and assaulting Sami with an F5. Lesnar then attacked Cena with two more F5s before exiting the ring, leaving the match inconclusive and resulting in a double disqualification.
Following the match, Lesnar addressed the camera, hinting at a confrontation with Cena at Wrestlepalooza. The chaotic encounter underscored Lesnar’s dominant return to SmackDown, reigniting rivalries and elevating the stakes heading into the next big event.
Aleister Black Overcomes Damian Priest in a Fierce Battle
Later in the night, Aleister Black ambushed Damian Priest before their scheduled match, taking him down at ringside in a violent preview of their encounter. After the break, their fight continued outside the ring, escalating the tension before the official match began.
Once inside the ring, Black gained the upper hand with a powerful Meteora and multiple strikes, only to face resistance from Priest, who executed a crossbody and cleared the announce table. The match saw periods of high-impact moves, including Priest’s Razor’s Edge onto the announce table.
Black managed to counter Priest’s South of Heaven finisher by using the referee to break the hold, and ultimately secured victory with his signature Black Mass kick. The contest ended with Aleister Black prevailing in a hard-fought battle, displaying resilience and technical skill.
Giulia Retains the Women’s United States Championship Against Michin
The Women’s United States Championship match featured champion Giulia defending her title against Michin. Early interference attempts by Kiana James threatened to sway the match, but Michin took control with a powerful dropkick and showed promising offense.
Despite Michin’s efforts to neutralize James, the distraction allowed Giulia to execute her finishing move, Arrivederci, securing the pin and retaining the championship. The post-match saw Kiana James aggressively assault Michin with stomps, escalating tensions in the women’s division and setting the stage for future confrontations.
Backstage Tensions and The Return of AJ Lee Ignite New Rivalries
Backstage, Charlotte Flair expressed concern over settling scores, but Alexa Bliss encouraged her to leverage their alliance. Later, Seth Rollins introduced Becky Lynch, who entered the ring with a fiery presence. The Chicago crowd chanted for AJ Lee, which visibly angered Lynch.
CM Punk then appeared on SmackDown, criticizing Rollins for his absence and trading barbs with Lynch about previous confrontations on RAW. After Lynch taunted Punk, he revealed he brought backup as AJ Lee made a stunning first return to SmackDown in a decade.
Lee immediately confronted Lynch in the ring, delivering a barrage of strikes and slaps, forcing Lynch to retreat. Rollins assisted Lynch to safety by escorting her to the entrance ramp while Punk and Lee stood dominant inside the ring as the show concluded, signaling a renewed rivalry that promises intense moments ahead.
