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The John Report: WWE SmackDown 09/05/25 Live Results

By John Canton • Published Sep 05, 2025 21:05 EDT
WWE SmackDown September 5

This is WWE SmackDown featuring John Cena’s last time on the blue brand, new US Champion Sami Zayn, Damian Priest facing Aleister Black, and more.

John Cena confirmed earlier today that tonight in Chicago is his last time on WWE SmackDown as an active wrestler. His first WWE TV appearance was a SmackDown episode in Chicago in June 2002, so now he’s back in the same building 23 years later for his last SmackDown appearance. Cena’s remaining TV appearances will be on Raw, PLE’s and a final Saturday Night’s Main Event special on December 13th in Washington, DC. The Cena retirement tour has less than four months left.

This episode feels bigger than usual with the AJ Lee return rumors joining her husband, CM Punk, who is from Chicago, so that couple will likely be there even if WWE isn’t advertising it. We know Brock Lesnar against John Cena is the Wrestlepalooza plan on September 20th, so Lesnar will be back on TV this month, too.

Last week’s SmackDown saw Sami Zayn win the US Title from Solo Sikoa in Lyon, France. I think WWE liked the idea of the French-speaking Zayn winning in France and giving those amazing fans a happy moment. It was Zayn’s first time winning the US Title.

From the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, this is SmackDown for episode #1359. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some pre-show walking shown of Damian Priest, Aleister Black, Michin, and Giulia with Kiana James. CM Punk was also shown exiting a car as well.

The commentary team was Michael Cole and Corey Graves as the SmackDown team for the next few months.

Analysis: I think they changed the commentary teams because Joe Tessitore does college football games on ESPN on Saturdays, so he can do Raw after that. Joe Tess has great chemistry with Wade Barrett, so it’s smart to keep them together.

A video package aired about the WWE Clash in Paris PLE from last Sunday. Great crowd. I enjoyed the show, but I think there were some better PLE’s this year.

Let’s Hear from John Cena

John Cena made his entrance to a huge ovation, wearing some Chicago Cubs-style gear. Some of the fans were singing his song. Cena said it’s his last time on SmackDown, so let’s go to work. Huge pop as Cena ran into the ring.

As John Cena soaked in the cheers, the fans chanted “Thank You Cena” from him. Cena said that you have no idea what that means coming from Chicago and he thanked them. Cena said he sees fans behind the screens with limited seats just to be part of this. Cena talked about doing great work, giving his all and working hard in this final run. Cena said that tonight he wanted to have fun. Cena said for over half this tour, he’s given you everything he has had and you have been with him every step of the way. Cena said that tonight, he is going to take it in. There were loud “Cena” chants again. Cena pointed out some guys who were sitting in the front row and he used to hear people saying “F You Cena” in this city. Cena said that is what makes this night and this city special. Cena said that is what makes you people special. Cena said that you are not afraid to use your voice and cheer for the ones you love. Cena told the fans that they bring people back to WWE and you know what he’s talking about (referring to CM Punk). There were even “AJ Lee” chants.

Cena said that we are in for one exciting night tonight. Cena said that this is last time in the city of Chicago. Cena said that this is last time to ever appear on SmackDown. Cena said he views it as a beautiful moment because 23 years ago in this very city, you allowed him on SmackDown to walk down this ramp in his skimpy little tights, smack Kurt Angle in the face and start this crazy ride that he’s been on for over decades. Cena said he’s had WrestleMania matches with Triple H, he’s had US Open Challenge matches, he’s faced CM Punk for the WWE Title and the title ended up in Punk’s fridge. Cena said there are arguments about what the greatest WWE crowd is. Cena said there is no argument because Chicago allowed him to start here and he’s very, very thankful because you kept him honest, made sure he gave his all, made him experience humility…and there were “Thank You Cena” chants again. Cena said for the last time, you let him experience joy and that is the Chicago way. Cena said he had no other words, but he wanted to say thank you so much for a beautiful ride. Cena told the fans to enjoy a hell of a night tonight.

Analysis: Great promo from John Cena. He is very genuine with his words and I think he’s got a good point about Chicago having the best fans. I am certainly going to miss Cena when he’s gone and a lot of people will too, I’m sure.

The United States Champion Sami Zayn went down to ringside in his wrestling gear and the US Title around his waist. Zayn did a promo while the fans were booing him for some reason and I guess it’s because of how much they love Cena. Zayn said “Thank You” to Cena on behalf of everybody back there for everything he has done for them. Zayn thanked Cena for allowing him to make his WWE debut against Cena for the US Title about ten years ago. Zayn said that he was standing in the ring as the US Champion. Zayn talked about how Cena did the US Title open challenge and Zayn wants to pay it forward. Zayn told Cena he would love to carry on the tradition and introduce the Sami Zayn US Title Open Challenge with Cena’s permission.

Cena said that’s a great idea and he appreciated it. Cena was about to leave, but Zayn told him not to leave. Zayn said if tonight is your last SmackDown and if tonight is the last chance he gets to share the ring with Cena then it would be Zayn’s honor to pay Cena back for what he gave him 10 years ago – a shot at the US Championship. The fans cheered that. Cena said let’s not do it in a month or next week, he’s saying they should do it in Chicago right now. The fans cheered for that. Zayn told Cena his own saying: “If you want some, come get some.” Cena reiterated what Zayn wanted and the fans cheered. There were also “YES” chants. Cena said you’re on. They shook hands. Cena called for a referee to get out there.

Analysis: It was weird hearing the fans booing Sami Zayn, who is one of the most beloved guys in WWE, but I think it’s just a case of the fans loving Cena. I certainly don’t mind having a match like Zayn against Cena because that’s a big one and it could be a main event, yet here it is early in the show. Anyway, I really like it and the throwback to the US Title open challenge is a great thing too.

(Commercial)

United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. John Cena

John Cena is a 5-time US Champion and the first singles title he won in 2004 was the US Title, so there’s a lot of history for him with the US Title.

Zayn got an armdrag early on, and then Cena got his own armdrag. Zayn did the leapfrog off the ropes to jump over Zayn, and Zayn hit a clothesline. Zayn actually hit Cena a bit, but they got through it. Zayn suplexed Cena for a two count. The fans were so pro Cena that they chanted “Let’s go Cena/Sami sucks” and Cena hit a suplex of his own. Cena charged, Zayn moved and Cena went crashing into the turnbuckle. Zayn sent Cena hard into the turnbuckle. Zayn sent Cena hard into the turnbuckle again and the fans booed. Cena sent Zayn into the turnbuckle and Zayn jumped into it to sell it in a big way. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued here for me on Netflix. Cena and Zayn hit a double clothesline. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Zayn countered with a DDT. The fans were booing as Zayn punched Cena a few times. Zayn hit double axhandle to knock Cena down. Cena hit two running shoulder tackles and a spinning slam. Cena did his You Can’t See Me hand gesture, leading to the fist drop. I’m surprised they did that spot during the break for US fans and not waiting until after. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Zayn got out of it and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two, as usual for that move.

Cena lifted Zayn up, but Zayn got back to his feet again and Zayn tried a DDT, which failed because Cena got Zayn on his back. Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment for the 1…2…no! The fans booed that two count because they wanted Cena to win. They exchanged move attempts, Cena sent Zayn into the ropes and Cena hit a Popup Powerbomb for two. Cena has been doing moves of his famous opponents as a tribute, so that was a Kevin Owens move on KO’s best friend Zayn. Cena charged, Zayn moved and Cena went crashing shoulder first into the ring post. Zayn set up for the Helluva Kick, Cena moved and Cena hit an Angle Slam for two. Cole called it a back suplex, so Graves said that it was an Angle Slam. Zayn and Cena did a double clothesline spot again. Cena applied the Ankle Lock to pay tribute to Kurt Angle again while the fans were chanting for Zayn to tap. This was in another break for some fans. Cena turned the submission into the STF (Cole called it STFU, which was the old name for it) and Zayn managed to come close to the ropes. Cena applied the STF again, but Zayn kept on crawling to the ropes. Zayn kicked Cena into the turnbuckle and Zayn hit his own Attitude Adjustment (the fans booed that) and Zayn got a two count. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. I agree. Zayn was back to his feet, he charged and Cena caught Zayn, leading to another Attitude Adjustment, which was just a two count. The fans booed that kickout as well.

The match returned with a replay of Cena’s second AA for a two count. They showed a shocked fan in the crowd as Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick to the head for 1…2…no. Zayn kicked out of the AA, so of course Cena was going to kick out of the Helluva Kick. Zayn went up top, Cena was back up and Cena caught Zayn on his shoulder, leading to a Go To Sleep knee to the face for yet another two count. It was another move tribute by Cena since he used CM Punk’s move in that instance. Cena called for Zayn to rise, Cena charged and he hit a Spear, which is a Roman Reigns move, but also Edge, who was one of Cena’s greatest rivals. Graves referenced Edge as “another infamous Canadian” rather than saying his name. The fans chanted “RKO” because they wanted to see Cena do that. Cena went for an RKO, Zayn shoved him and Cena hit a stiff clothesline. Cena put Zayn on the middle rope and teased an AA from there, but Zayn countered with elbows to the head. Cena managed to get back to his feet and hit an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment. Both guys were out on the mat, so there was no cover from Cena. The fans chanted “This is awesome” for them…and here comes Brock Lesnar! Loud reaction Lersnar’s appearance.

Brock Lesnar had a cowboy hat and one of his shirts, along with jeans on. Lesnar pulled referee Rudy Charles out of the ring, so I guess that was the end of the match. Let’s call it 21 minutes.

Match Result: No Contest

Analysis: **** The match was great. Any time you can get a four-star level match that goes 20+ minutes on a WWE TV show that’s a cool thing. We don’t get to see those kinds of matches that often, so I enjoyed it. Cena had a lot of offense in the match while Zayn was booked strongly since he kicked out of the AA twice and the GTS. I didn’t expect Zayn to lose the US Title in his first title defense and I doubt most of the audience did, but the fans sure wanted to see Cena win the US Title. It was cool seeing John Cena doing the moves of his past rivals like Kevin Owens, Kurt Angle, Edge/Roman Reigns and CM Punk among others. Great performance by Cena and Zayn in Cena’s last SmackDown match.

Brock Lesnar picked up Sami Zayn and hit him with an F5. Zayn rolled out of the ring after that. Lesnar picked up Cena and dropped him with an F5 just like he did at SummerSlam. The fans booed loudly as the bearded Lesnar laughed about it. Lesnar picked Cena up again and Lesnar hit Cena with another F5.

Analysis: I think a lot of us could see that Brock Lesnar appearance coming because of the likely Wrestlepalooza match between Lesnar and Cena. The fans got to see 45 minutes of Cena on this two-hour show, yet the ending was ruined by Lesnar, who got a lot of heat for it. As an angle it worked really well, even though it was also very predictable.

(Commercial)

There was a replay of Brock Lesnar attacking John Cena with two F5’s after Cena’s match against Sami Zayn. Lesnar stood tall and the fans booed him heavily.

Brock Lesnar spoke into the camera in the backstage and said: “Hey John, I’ll see ya at Wrestlepalooza, bitch.”

A graphic was shown making it official: John Cena will face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza on September 20th.

Analysis: We knew Cena/Lesnar was coming and now it’s official. I don’t have a prediction yet, but I think Lesnar winning makes sense.

Nick Aldis, the SmackDown GM, was shown walking backstage when Carmelo Hayes and The Miz said they wanted a WWE Tag Team Title match. Aldis said he’ll take it under consideration and left.

A car was shown driving up to the building and the Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch walked out of it with her title.

Analysis: There’s a nice tease about what’s going to happen later in the show.

Aleister Black was featured in a video saying he came back to WWE to find out the well was still poisoned. Black said he’ll succeed because Damian Priest is who he is because he follows the rules. Black said he is who he is because he follows the rules until he doesn’t.

Damian Priest made his entrance for singles action. Aleister Black attacked Priest from behind without doing his own entrance. Priest fought back, but then Black sent Priest into the steel steps. Black hit a jumping knee smash to send Priest over the barricade at ringside. That was the end of hour one.

Analysis: That was probably the best first hour of SmackDown in several months. Thank you, John Cena, for that and the match with Sami Zayn certainly helped a lot too.

(Commercial)

Priest tried to fight Black, but Black knocked him down with a kick. Black sent Priest into the ring and referee Ryan Tran checked on Priest, who said he wanted to start the match.

Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest

Priest went for a punch, but Black avoided it and kicked Priest. Black jumped on Priest’s back and went for a submission move, but Priest was able to fight it off. Black kicked Priest in the back. Priest tackled Black into the turnbuckle. Black kicked Priest back and Black hit a double knee Meteora attack to knock Priest down for two. They went on a break for some fans, and I’ll take a break too. It was three minutes of Black in control.

The match continued with Priest going for some offense, but Black stopped that and Black hit a jumping knee smash to knock Priest down. Priest shoved Black away and hit Black with a stiff forearm. Priest ran the ropes and hit a running clothesline. Priest nailed Black with a few punches, followed by a running back elbow attack. Black hit a kick, and Priest came back with a shoulder tackle. Priest walked across the top rope and hit a cross body block. Black bailed to the floor, Priest went after him and Priest gave Black a flatliner on the ring apron. Priest cleared off the commentary table. Priest had Black on his shoulders and Priest gave Black a Razor’s Edge on the table. The table didn’t break because they have harder tables now. The referee was slow to count. Priest put Black back into the ring. Priest grabbed Black, who grabbed the referee’s shirt and Black shoved the referee Ryan Tran. That distracted Priest for a moment, so Black hit the Black Mass spin kick and covered Priest for the pinfall win. It went about 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Aleister Black

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match to give the crafty heel Black the big win over a former World Champion. Black got the advantage early on by attacking Priest, so that weakened Priest and he kept on trying to make comebacks, but he wasn’t able to get the win. I’m all for Black getting a push as a midcard heel. I wouldn’t mind seeing Black in the US Title hunt against Sami Zayn in a few months and maybe Black could win the title.

There was a commercial for next Friday night’s WWE-AAA Worlds Collide event. They didn’t even mention how to watch it, but the AAA events are usually on WWE’s YouTube channel (in English and Spanish) starting at 10 p.m. ET so it’s right after SmackDown.

(Commercial)

A video aired promoting the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford boxing fight on Netflix on September 13th. They promoted is a superfight that comes along once in a lifetime. It’s promoted by WWE owners TKO Group, so they will keep mentioning it.

Randy Orton was featured in a video, and so was Drew McIntyre. Drew said he doesn’t care what anybody thinks about him. Drew said Orton isn’t the kind of man who can pull the trigger, but Drew is the kind of man who does. Orton told Drew that you have no idea what is coming for you. Drew said that WWE needs a real man like him. Orton said he’d knock him back into reality when he hits them with the RKO. Drew said his name to end it.

Next Friday on SmackDown:

* Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton

* Brock Lesnar live

* WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill

Analysis: That’s a strong lineup for next week with Drew facing Randy in a match that could be on a PLE, but we get it on SmackDown instead. Perhaps there will be a cheap finish or non-finish to set up a rematch for Wrestlepalooza.

The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Stratton said that Jade loves to run her mouth. Stratton said that the talk ends next week. Stratton said she’s going to stick her foot up Jade’s…eye of the storm.

Jade Cargill was watching on a TV backstage. Nia Jax walked in, saying that Cargill didn’t deserve a title shot. Jade said that when she wins the Women’s Title, then maybe Jax can challenge her for the title, but she told Jax to get out of her face tonight. Jax left.

Analysis: The Stratton/Cargill match doesn’t have much of a story, but it’s a SummerSlam rematch. I like Tiffany a lot, but her title reign has lost a lot of steam. I think Jade might win the title even though she’s been inconsistent in the ring.

The Women’s United States Champion Giulia made her entrance joined by her ally Kiana James for a title match up next.

(Commercial)

Becky Lynch was backstage talking to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, who said he didn’t know Lynch would be there. Aldis said he can not have any more issues tonight. Lynch claimed she never causes issues and left with her Women’s Intercontinental Title. The fans were chanting “AJ Lee” at Lynch on screen.

Analysis: When Lynch claimed she didn’t cause issues, that’s an example of where I can say my “heels lie” phrase. Lynch is a great heel.

They showed Coby White of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls at ringside.

Women’s United States Championship: Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. Michin

There was a replay of SmackDown last week when Michin beat Kiana James with a ROLLUP OF DEATH~!. Giulia attacked after the match and stomped Michin’s face into the steel steps.

Giulia and Michin exchanged strikes early on. Michin kicked Giulia out of the ring. They went back in the ring where Michin hit a dropkick. Michin opened the ropes and Giulia went crashing to the floor. Giulia got a hold of Michin on the apron, and Giulia hit a neckbreaker off the apron onto the floor. They went to a break for some fans as Giulia hit a missile dropkick. Giulia remained in control during the three minutes during the break as usual wit the heel controlling the action during that part of the match.

The match continued with Giulia hitting a German Suplex, and then Michin hit her own German Suplex. Giulia and Michin kicked eachother at the same time so they both bumped to the mat. Michin hit a cannonball attack against the turnbuckle. Giulia hit a sitout driver for a two count. Giulia delivered some kicks, Michin caught her and Michin hit a sitout Powerbomb. James was on the apron, so Michin sent Giulia into the ropes and Michin gave James a hurricanrana into the mat. Good bump by James there. Giulia hit her Arrivederchi running knee for the pinfall win. It went about 8 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Giulia

Analysis: **3/4 They worked hard, but the fans weren’t into it that much. I like Giulia as a talent and I think pairing her with Kiana James is a great move. The presence of James led to Michin going after her, so Giulia capitalized and got the win. Classic heel booking. I think the creative team needs to work on building up Giulia more and find a challenger that the fans are going to respond to.

After the match, Kiana James hit Giulia with her giant purse. James punched Giulia a few times after that.

Charlotte Flair was backstage getting checked out by her friend Alexa Bliss and her Lilly doll. Flair had the bottom of her leg taped up to sell the attack from last week by Chelsea Green and Secret Hervice. Bliss had her doll Lilly check on Flair. They bonded as friends. Flair wondered if she was cleared and that was it.

Analysis: There wasn’t much to it, but Flair will be back soon to team with Bliss against Green’s Secret Hervice team.

The World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins made his entrance and he was in some private box area of the crowd. Cole wondered what Rollins has in store for SmackDown.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Becky Lynch As Introduced by Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins, who was still in the crowd, said that tonight we are all witnesses to history because the legend of your hero CM Punk dies right here, right now. There were “CM Punk” chants. Rollins said to do the honors, the greatest female wrestler in the history of planet Earth, she is your Intercontinental Champion and she is Seth’s sexy, brilliant, incredible Irish wife…welcome to the big time, it’s “The Man” Becky Lynch.

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch made her entrance and she was booed by the fans. The fans chanted “AJ Lee” at Lynch, who got mad at the fans for chanting another person’s name while Lynch was in the ring. Lynch said she was the greatest female wrestler of all time. The fans kept on booing Lynch. Lynch said that she wouldn’t expect Chicago to know what greatness looks like and she said that the Blackhawks suck, Cubs suck (not really), White Sox suck, Bulls suck and she said that Coby White in the front row sucks. Lynch said that CM Punk sucks. And here comes CM Punk.

CM Punk made his entrance to a huge ovation in front of his hometown crowd. The fans were singing the “Cult of Personality” song by Living Colour also. As CM Punk posed on the apron, Seth Rollins waved at him from a distance. Punk got in the ring with Lynch.