Reviews

The John Report: WWE SmackDown 08/01/25 Review

By John Canton • Published Aug 01, 2025 22:01 EDT
WWE SmackDown August 1 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring a John Cena-Cody Rhodes face off, Damian Priest facing Aleister Black, Giulia against Zelina Vega, and more.

The month of August is here as we get set for four nights in a row of WWE shows in the New Jersey-New York area. It’s SmackDown tonight, SummerSlam Night 1 on Saturday, SummerSlam Night 2 on Sunday, and then Raw is in Brooklyn on Monday. That’s four nights in a row of live reviews by me. Great. I love it. Bring it on.

From the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, this is SmackDown for episode #1354. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

It was a packed house in the building and a steel cage was hanging above the ring. Jimmy Uso was shown walking backstage along with Talla Tonga joined by Solo Sikoa and the MFTs, Aleister Black, and Damian Priest.

The commentary team was Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.

John Cena and Cody Rhodes Face To Face

John Cena’s music hit as the crowd went wild for the Undisputed WWE Champion. The fans sang “John Cena sucks” as Cena made his slow walking entrance, holding his “The Last Time Is Now” towel in his hands. There were loud “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” chants. Mark Nash did the special introduction for Cena, calling him the greatest of all time, the never-seen 17, gracing Newark with his presence one final time, he is the last real champion…John Cena. A mix of boos and cheers after that.

Cody Rhodes made his entrance before John Cena could say a word. It was tracksuit Cody this week instead of suit-wearing Cody. The fans were loud for Cody and sang his song as usual.

Cena said that he told Cody he was exhausted and that a match at SummerSlam would be too difficult for him. Cena recapped that Cody didn’t listen, assaulted Cena, forced his signature and now they’ll have a dangerous match on a grand stage for the biggest championship. Cena said that he only has one thing left to say to Cody: “Thank you.” Cena said that was just the boot in the ass he needed. Cena said that for 25 years, he has forged a reputation on hard work, honesty and respect. Cena said that five months ago he flushed it down the toilet to make shocking TV. Cena said that, then the dust settles, then everybody goes back to their normal lives, and the people who were supposed to be on his team left. Cena said that they left him alone as he tried to pretend to be something he is not. Cena said he wants to leave here with this WWE Title. Cena said that after his last match, he wants to take the WWE Title with him, but it’s not because he wants to end wrestling. Cena said you know he loves wrestling. Cena said he wants to take this home with him so that after he’s gone, you guys don’t forget about him. Cena said that he was so hung up with how you see him tomorrow with how stupid he’s acting today. Cena said that Cody tried to tell him and he didn’t listen. Cena said that Cody did what a good friend forced him to do, so you forced Cena into a fight. Cena said it’s not a match, it’s a fight. Cena said it will force Cena to be what he really is. Cena said if he doesn’t show up for the war, then he shouldn’t show up at all. Cena said that tonight, on August 1st, is the day that John Cena came back to WWE. The fans cheered and chanted “Cena” for him. Cena said he doesn’t know who will leave with this title on Sunday, but he knows the fans will win. Cena said that he is finally over his own BS. Cena said that we’ll get to see Cody Rhodes against the greatest of all time at his best. Cena said that he has something to prove. Cena said that this is a Street Fight with no rules, and it’s a match that Cody wanted, so if you want some, come get some. Cena said that on Sunday, the only platinum rapper showing up to whip your ass is Cena. Cena: “The Champ Is Here!” The fans were going wild and cheering heavily for Cena, who posed with the WWE Title.

Cody: “Welcome back, John Cena.” Cody was handed two beer cans (Real American Beer, I think) and they shook hands. They drank some beer together. Wade: “What the hell just happened?” Cody left while Cena stood tall in the ring and the fans chanted “Cena” again. Cena posed with the WWE Title again as Cena’s music played. Cena hugged his wife at ringside, and left.

Analysis: That was a babyface promo from John Cena, basically saying that he was a jerk for the last five months, but he is finally back to being who he normally is. It was that easy for the fans to get behind Cena again. The question is, was Cena genuine about what he was saying and that he’s back to his normal self or is he lying? I think it’s certainly possible that Cena is back to being his true self as a babyface and the fans were totally behind him. I think it makes a lot of sense to have Cena go back to the babyface role because it’s what the fans want and you could say that Cena likely wants to end his career as a babyface. I bought into that as Cena being a babyface again, but if it’s just a tease and he’s going to be a heel again then that’s fine with me too. I believe in seeing how things play out, so we’ll see how it goes at SummerSlam. Anyway, I thought Cena did a great job with his promo.

A clip was shown earlier in the day of Jelly Roll at a training session in the ring. Randy Orton wasn’t there. Logan Paul showed up and trash-talked Jelly, so Jelly dared Logan to fight him. Drew McIntyre attacked Jelly from behind to knock him down. Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Jelly to knock him down. WWE Producer Shawn Daivari and some unknown wrestlers got Drew and Logan to leave.

Analysis: A cheap heat attack by Drew and Logan to get even more sympathy for poor Jelly Roll.

They showed actor PJ Byrne from the USA Network show The Rainmaker at ringside.

Women’s US Championship: Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. Zelina Vega

They say that Kiana James is the official representative of Giulia. Giulia worked over Vega with chops and a suplex. Vega countered Giulia and hit an arm drag across the ring. Vega hit a double knee attack off the apron onto Giulia on the floor. They said it was a commercial-free first half hour and they went to a break for some fans as the action continued for us on Netflix. Vega worked over Giulia with kicks. Giulia came back with a headbutt while on the apron. Giulia went up top and hit a missile dropkick across the ring. Giulia kicked Vega in the back to put her down. It was more Giulia on offense for a few minutes.

Giulia was in control with a wheelbarrow sitout slam, followed by a submission move pulling back on Vega’s head. Vega countered it into a pin attempt for two. Giulia stomped on Vega’s back to send Vega face first into the mat for a two count. Vega countered a move and got an inside cradle for two. Vega hit a rolling kick to the body. Vega hit two clotheslines and a belly-to-back suplex. Vega hit a running double knee attack against the turnbuckle. Vega jumped off the turnbuckle, but Giulia moved and hit a running kick. Giulia tried a move off the turnbuckle, but Vega countered and hit a German Suplex off the turnbuckle for two. The fans got into it now with a “This is awesome” chant. They went back to the turnbuckle where Giulia hit a Butterfly Suplex off the top. Giulia hit the knee smash to the face. Giulia hit a Northern Lights Bomb for two. That was a surprise since it is Giulia’s finisher. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” again. Vega countered Giulia and got a rollup for two. Vega hit a Backstabber to the back. Vega went for a moonsault, but Giulia got the knees up to block. Giulia hit the Northern Lights Bomb for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Giulia

Analysis: ***1/2 This turned into a very good match. I didn’t expect it to reach that level, but the last few minutes were terrific and full of big moves. Giulia is an awesome worker, while Vega excels at selling and effectively counters her opponents throughout her matches, making it seem like she might find a way to win. The moonsault by Vega failed, so that led to Giulia getting the win. I’m a bit surprised that they put Kiana James with Giulia, yet James did nothing in the match to help Giulia win. I would have had James grab Vega’s leg during the match or something like that.

Solo Sikoa was interviewed by Cathy Kelley while Solo had his MFT’s with him. Cathy mentioned there’s a Steel Cage above the ring and Solo said he had nothing to do with that. Solo talked about Jimmy Uso will be taken out by Talla Tonga. Solo mocked a Jacob Fatu phrase, “Yaddadamean,” and left.

Los Garza entered with Santos Escobar for Los Garza’s AAA Tag Team Title open challenge match.

(Commercial)

Santos Escobar did a promo in the ring, telling the fans to respect Los Garza as the AAA World Tag Team Champions. Santos said if you want to be lucha libre royalty, all you gotta do is face Los Garza for these titles right now.

The “lovable lizard” Mr. Iguana made his entrance with Psycho Clown. These are AAA guys, and we saw them at the recent Worlds Collide show. The fans popped initially, and there were “Iguana” chants.

AAA World Tag Team Championships: Los Garza – Angel & Berto (w/Santos Escobar) vs. Mr. Iguana & Psycho Clown

It’s rare to see a non-WWE Title defended on a WWE show, but as we know, WWE owns the majority of AAA, so it’s all the same now.

Clown hit a hurricanrana on Angel and a cross body block. Clown hit a backbreaker on Angel. Clown kicked Angel and clotheslined Berto. Clown nailed Angel with a forearm. Berto tagged in and tripped up Clown by the ropes. Garza held Clown by the ropes while Angel hit a running kick. The fans were cheering for Iguana while the announcers bickered about La Yezca, which is the Iguana toy that Mr. Iguana has. Clown managed to tag out, so Iguana was on fire with a headscissors on Berto and a springboard cross body block. Iguana slipped a bit on the ropes on Angel and hit a hurricanrana. Iguana hit a Crucifix Bomb on Berto for two. Iguana dove over the top onto both members of Los Garza. Berto and Angel threw Iguana into Clown to stop a dive. Berto hit a springboard kick on Clown. Los Garza stood on the middle rope and did a super body slam on Iguana for a two count. Clown tagged in against Angel. Berto dropkicked Clown and Clown hit a cross body block on Angel. Los Garza hit their MTY spinning slam and Berto covered Clown for the pinfall win. It went about 7 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Los Garza – Angel & Berto

Analysis: **3/4 The match was okay. It felt like a flat finish that wasn’t built up well at all. The fans loved Mr. Iguana, so I can see why WWE uses him. Clown did a nice job too. Angel and Garza winning makes sense, and I don’t mind seeing those AAA Tag Team Titles defended on SmackDown as a rare thing.

Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul were walking backstage when Cathy Kelley tried to do an interview. Logan said he had nothing to say. Drew said they’ll say it to the world later tonight.

(Commercial)

A video package aired promoting the six-team TLC Tag Team Match at SummerSlam for the WWE Tag Team Titles. They showed clips of each the teams: The Street Profits, Fraxiom, #DIY, Andrade & Rey Fenix, Motor City Machine Guns and the WWE Tag Team Champions, the Wyatt Sicks team of Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis.

Analysis: It should be one of the best matches at SummerSlam. The TLC Tag Team Title match on SmackDown after WrestleMania is one of the best WWE matches of the year. That was three teams. Now it’s a six-team match. It’s going to be fun to watch.

Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

Black kicked Priest in the side of the leg. Priest blocked a kick and hit a few kicks to the body. Black left the ring, so Priest jumped off the steel steps and hit a double axhandle to knock Black down. Black kicked Priest off the apron to the floor. Black hit a somersault dive over the top onto Priest on the floor. They went to break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too.

It was Black in control during the break and he hit a kick to the face. Black blocked a kick and Black hit a jumping knee smash for two. Priest fought back with elbow smashes to the head and he slammed Black into the mat. Priest hit a running splash against the turnbuckle. Priest did a rope walk, leading to a cross body block onto Black. Priest hit a lariat, which led to Black doing a flip back for two. Black kicked the leg and Priest superkicked Black out of the ring. Black bailed to the floor, Priest ran at him, and Black hit a jumping knee smash. Black jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault, Priest avoided it and Priest hit a shoulder tackle to send Black over the commentary table. Priest cleared off the commentary table. Black threw a chair at Priest’s head to end the match. It’s a DQ. It went about 9 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Damian Priest

Analysis: **3/4 A cheap finish because Black knew he couldn’t beat Priest, so he took the easy way out. It was getting good when it suddenly came to a halt. That should lead to a rematch down the road.

After the match, Black attacked Priest with strikes, and Black hit Priest in the back with a steel chair. Black used the chair to jab Priest in the throat. Black sent the back of Priest’s head into the steel steps three times. Black to Priest brought this on himself and Black hit a Black Mass kick on Priest on the floor. The referee, Daphanie LaShaunn, called for help for Priest.

Analysis: I am enjoying the heel version of Aleister Black. He comes across as a ruthless badass who shows no remorse for his attacks. The attack went on a bit too long without anybody trying to help poor Priest, but they got it right by the end.

Tiffany Stratton was shown walking backstage with the WWE Women’s Championship. Jade Cargill walked up to Tiffany, saying she didn’t need Stratton’s help last week. Stratton talked about how she’ll beat Jade at SummerSlam. Jade said there are no cash-ins and nothing in her way, so she’ll finish what she started by winning the WWE Women’s Title. Jade left.

Talla Tonga made his entrance with the MFTs for the next match.

(Commercial)

They showed images of WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, at the White House talking to President Donald Trump and others about some commitment to youth fitness in the US.

Analysis: I don’t have any smartass comments except to say I’m a proud Canadian. That’s it.

Talla Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa) vs. Jimmy Uso

This is Talla’s first televised match in WWE. Jimmy stared up at him to show the size difference. Talla is about 6’8” or so. Talla worked over Jimmy with some chops to the chest. Talla hit a clothesline to stay in control. Talla hit a running leg drop, brother. Jimmy sent a charging Talla to the apron. Jimmy hit a spinning kick that knocked Talla off the apron to the floor. Jimmy hit a suicide dive to send Talla into the barricade. Solo calmed Talla down. They went to break for some fans with Talla in control for most of it. I took a break too.

It was still Talla in control with some strikes. Jimmy tried to fight back, but Talla hit an overhead chop to the chest. Jimmy hit a boot to the face. Jimmy kicked Talla in the ribs. Jimmy tried a lift, but that didn’t work and Talla hit Jimmy in the back. Jimmy hit a jumping kick to the head. Jimmy jumped off the top, Talla grabbed him by the throat and Jimmy hit two superkicks. Jimmy clotheslined Talla out of the ring, and Talla landed on his feet. Jimmy superkicked brother Solo on the apron. Jimmy hit another superkick on Talla. Jimmy hit a Spear on Talla. Jimmy jumped off the top with a splash, but Talla grabbed him and Talla hit a Chokeslam for the pinfall win after about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Talla Tonga

Analysis: **1/2 A slow-paced match to put over Talla Tonga in his first WWE TV match. Poor Jimmy Uso showed a lot of heart, but he had no shot here. I’m not going to call it boring because I get why it was so slow-paced to put over Talla. I’m just saying it wasn’t an exciting match.

Solo Sikoa called for JC Mateo and Tonga Loa to come down to the ring. Solo called for the Steel Cage to be lowered, so it was as the MFT’s beat up Jimmy. The cage was lowered, but Jacob Fatu made his entrance to make the save. The cage was lowered while Fatu was in the ring with the MFTs. Solo opened the door and bailed out. Talla left as well. Fatu beat up JC and Loa with superkicks. Fatu threw JC and Loa into the steel cage. Fatu hit a Samoan Drop on Loa. There were loud “Fatu” chants. Fatu hit a running hip attack on JC and a running hip attack on Loa, too. Fatu hit a Mighty Moonsault onto JC that barely touched him. Fatu hit a Mighty Moonsault onto Loa, too. Fatu had a staredown with Solo, who said that the US Title belongs to him.

Analysis: An impressive showing by Jacob Fatu to take out Solo’s allies.

The announcers did a rundown of the SummerSlam card.

Saturday, August 2nd Matches

  • World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships – Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
  • Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
  • Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
  • Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

Sunday, August 3rd Matches

  • Women’s World Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley
  • United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship (No Countouts, No Disqualifications): Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
  • WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Match: The Wyatt Sicks – Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. #DIY – Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Street Fight: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Flair was wearing a “We’re Not Friends” shirt. Flair said that she didn’t expect to team up with Lexi this year, but she has had Flair’s back and Flair respects Bliss, even if she’s super annoying. Bliss wondered if that was a compliment. Bliss said that Flair hasn’t been half bad and she’s had her back. Kelley said it sounds like friendship to her. Bliss said that Flair doesn’t like using the “F” word. Flair said let’s just focus on winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Analysis: That story with Flair and Bliss is fine, but they haven’t had enough interactions with the champions Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez for my liking.

Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul were walking backstage for a main event promo segment up next.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul

The heel tag team duo of Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre made their entrance for some promo time. They were booed heavily.

Logan told Green Shirt Guy to shut up because he’s the worst of them all. That was funny! Paul said that they are two of the best wrestlers in the industry and they are trying to defend this place from outsiders. Paul said that you don’t understand what it means to compete at SummerSlam, which Jelly Roll thought was a hot dog eating contest. Paul said that they have dedicated their lives to this. Paul said these outsiders think WWE is a stepping stone. Paul said that it is basically impossible unless you are Logan Paul, which he happens to be. Paul told Jelly Roll he’s an outsider and not a wrestler. Paul said that Jelly will learn he’s a country star, not a superstar and he’ll never belong here.

Drew said whatever happens to Smelly Hole is on Randy. Drew said that Jelly has a song about how you only talk to God when you need a favor. Drew said that when he prays, bad things happen. Paul made comments mocking Jelly Roll for being arrested in the past.

Jelly Roll was shown arriving in a truck. He smacked the hood and Randy Orton was there driving the car. Orton and Jelly made their way down to the ring.

Randy Orton and Jelly Roll walked toward the ring while SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was there to try to stop them, but that didn’t work. Orton and Jelly went into the ring as Orton threw punches at Drew while Jelly fought with Paul and Jelly punched Paul several times. There were about a dozen security guys who went into the ring, and Orton decked Paul with a punch to knock Paul out of the ring. Orton punched Drew and knocked him out of the ring. The heels were on the floor, where they were kept away from Orton and Jelly in the ring. Orton teased like he was calm, but Orton dropped two security guys with the RKO. Orton looked at Jelly, so Jelly hit a Chokeslam on a short security guy. Jelly and Orton celebrated while Orton’s music played. The two teams had a staredown to end the show.

Analysis: It was the typical pull-apart brawling segment to get people ready for the tag team match at SummerSlam. I think the whole point was to show Jelly Roll was ready, as evidenced by him hitting that Chokeslam on the short security guy. A quick promo from Orton and Jelly may have helped at the end, just to show that they are focused going into the match. The segment was fine, but nothing that we haven’t seen many times before in pro wrestling.

===

Three Stars of the Show

  1. John Cena
  2. Giulia
  3. Aleister Black

===

The Scoreboard

7 out of 10

Last week: 7

2025 Average: 7.33

===

Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

The show was just okay this week. It was lacking in terms of excitement at times, while they chose to feature some wrestlers who aren’t in SummerSlam matches. The Giulia-Zelina Vega match ended up being pretty good, so kudos to the ladies for a strong performance. I also enjoyed how Aleister Black turned up his heelish actions with the cheap attack on Damian Priest.

I thought the John Cena promo was easily the best part of the show. It’s up to the viewer to decide if John Cena was genuine when he said he’s back to being the “real” John Cena or if he was playing mind games to try to mess with Cody Rhodes going into SummerSlam.

That main event segment was fine, but once again, there was nothing special about it. Jelly Roll has shown he has fit in well with WWE in terms of non-wrestling segments, so we’ll see how he does in the ring during the SummerSlam tag team match.

The next WWE PLE is SummerSlam from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 2 & 3. Here’s the lineup.

Saturday, August 2nd Matches

  • World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
  • Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships – Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
  • Randy Orton & Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
  • Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross

Sunday, August 3rd Matches

  • WWE Championship Street Fight: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
  • United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship (No Countouts, No Disqualifications): Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • Women’s World Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley
  • WWE Tag Team Championships TLC Match: The Wyatt Sicks – Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. The Street Profits – Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. #DIY – Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. Fraxiom – Nathan Frazer & Axiom

You can watch SummerSlam on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, streaming live at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.

===

Thanks for reading. Go Toronto Blue Jays. You can contact me using any of the methods below.

John Canton

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport