The John Report: WWE SmackDown 09/12/25 Review

This is WWE SmackDown featuring Brock Lesnar on the show, Drew McIntyre facing Orton, Tiffany Stratton defending the WWE Women’s Title against Jade Cargill, and more.

I thought last week’s WWE SmackDown was excellent with John Cena’s final appearance on the blue brand as an active wrestler. That led to a fantastic Cena match against Sami Zayn for the US Title, which was ruined by a surprising Brock Lesnar attack. AJ Lee also returned to WWE in the main event segment after ten years away. I hope it’s the start of some positive momentum for the blue brand because the show feels lethargic sometimes. I do like the lineup for this week, so I’m optimistic about it.

There was a WWE press conference earlier today where they announced WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027. That will be the first WrestleMania outside of the USA or Canada.

From the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, this is SmackDown for episode #1360. Follow me on Twitter/X @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

There was some superstar walking shown from earlier in the day of Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Tiffany Stratton, and Jade Cargill.

This week’s SmackDown commentary team is NXT’s Vic Joseph and Booker T. They have worked together for about three years on NXT, and they both have a lot of experience. I also predict WWE fans on social media will complain about Booker’s commentary. Wrestling fans complaining? Shocking, I know. Corey Graves is working the WWE-AAA Worlds Collide show later on Friday.

A video package aired about last week’s show when John Cena was on SmackDown for the last time and thanked Chicago. Sami Zayn faced Cena, which led to Brock Lesnar attacking both guys. The Lesnar/Cena match was made official for Wrestlepalooza, and it’s going to main event the show.

Let’s Hear from Brock Lesnar

There was a loud reaction as Brock Lesnar’s legendary music hit. Lesnar walked around the ring in a tank top and a cowboy hat while looking mean as usual.

Lesnar was greeted by “You suck” chants by the fans. Before he could say a word, R-Truth’s music hit. R-Truth did his full “What’s Up” entrance and the crowd sang along with it. Lesnar didn’t look thrilled about it. Truth told Norfolk to make some noise, so the fans cheered and said, “What’s Up.”

Lesnar told Truth to shut up. Truth said he’ll be the first WWE superstar to say Brock, welcome back. Truth said that he used to be scared of Lesnar. Truth said he’s not scared of him anymore. Lesnar claimed he didn’t know Truth was. Lesnar said that you’d better have a good reason for interrupting him. Truth said that you’ve been disrespecting his childhood hero and older brother, John Cena, for the past 25 years. Lesnar asked how old he was and what his name was. Truth said his name is R-Truth, so the fans chanted it. Lesnar said he’s there for one thing because he’s looking for John Cena. Lesnar asked if he knew where Cena was. Truth said he didn’t know. Truth said he was here to defend his childhood hero, John Cena. Lesnar finally realized his name is R-Truth, so Truth said his name is Ron Cena, which led to a “Ron Cena” chants.

Lesnar asked Truth why is he here right now? Truth claimed that Cena is built differently now. Truth said he went crazy this year, and he made a little kid cry. Truth said that Super Cena is coming for Lesnar and he’s filled with hustle, loyalty, respect and two drops of that kid’s tears. Truth said Cena won’t be running from The Beast, he’ll be feeding off him. Lesnar told Ron Cena he was missing a tooth, then Truth questioned that, and Lesnar picked him up and hit an F5. Lesnar’s jeans ripped in the back, and he showed it to the camera. After he left the ring, Lesnar commented into the camera that he ripped his pants and laughed about his blue underwear.

Analysis: We knew that John Cena wasn’t there since they said last week was his SmackDown farewell, so Lesnar looking for Cena makes Lesnar look silly. R-Truth is always funny on the microphone, so having him say that Cena is his childhood hero and older brother is ridiculous, and it draws laughs. I liked the “Ron Cena” chant. Lesnar dropping Truth with the F5 was obviously where this was headed, so no surprise there. Lesnar ripping the back of his jeans was a bit of a surprise, and it was nice to see Brock laugh about that wardrobe malfunction. It wasn’t a bad segment, but I think the creative team could have done a better job giving Lesnar more to do in a segment like that. It would have been nice to hear Lesnar explain why he attacked Cena so many times. Just say that they started wrestling 25 years ago together and he’s sick of hearing people call Cena the Greatest of All Time because Lesnar thinks he is, not Cena.

Sami Zayn was shown with the US Title, saying he’s glad that John Cena gave him his blessing to do the US Title Open Challenge. Zayn spoke to somebody, saying that this person is his challenger, and they both travelled the world before they got here. Zayn extended his hand, and we saw that it was Rey Fenix. They shook hands and Zayn left for his match.

A commercial aired for WWE Wrestlepalooza next Saturday, September 20th, for the ESPN streaming debut in the US.

(Commercial)

A video aired about Solo Sikoa talking about what he had to sacrifice to get the US Title in his hands. Solo said he sacrificed love, loyalty and his own flesh & blood just for it to be taken out of his hands. Solo said he lost his Bloodline, the Ula Fala and the US Championship. Solo said he’ll lead this family and take back what he lost. Solo said he’s been living in the shadows of others for way too long, so others will live in the shadows of him and “my family tree” aka MFTs.

Analysis: I’m not sure if Solo Sikoa will get pushed heavily again. I don’t think the MFTs group is that interesting. You can’t just throw a group together and hope it recreates the greatness of the original Bloodline. That’s not easy to do.

United States Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Rey Fenix

This should be a lot of fun. I’m a big fan of both guys. Zayn got an armbar takedown, and then Fenix walked the ropes, leading to his own armbar. Fenix gave Zayn a hurricanrana out of the ring. Fenix went for a suicide dive, Zayn avoided it, so Fenix swung around the ropes to go back into the ring. They went on a break for some fans as the action continued here on Netflix. Zayn took control with a body slam. Fenix hit a kick to the gut, followed by a springboard bounce off the ropes, leading to a back elbow that knocked Zayn down. Fenix used his legs to rollup Zayn for two. Zayn jumped off the ropes, and hit a clothesline for two. Zayn suplexed Fenix from the apron into the ring. Zayn hit a back elbow to knock Fenix down.

Zayn remained in control with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. They went to the apron, where Fenix jumped off the turnbuckle and hit a jumping kick to the head. Fenix hit a twisting dive over the top onto Zayn on the floor. Fenix went up top and hit a cross body block for a two count. Zayn went for a move, but Fenix countered with an incredible headscissors for a two count. Fenix spun around the turnbuckle again and he hit a spinning kick to the head for two. Fenix went up top, jumped off with a moonsault, Zayn moved and Zayn went for a Helluva Kick, but Fenix moved. Fenix hit a jumping DDT for a two count. That was a close one with Zayn kicking out at the last possible moment. They went to another break as the match continued. Fenix set up Zayn on the top turnbuckle. Zayn blocked a move with forearms to the back. Zayn jumped off the top with a Sunset Flip Powerbomb for a two count. Zayn does that spot well. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Zayn went up top, Fenix went after him, Zayn shoved him down, Zayn jumped off the top and Fenix hit a superkick to put Zayn down for a two count. Fenix worked over Zayn with kicks to the chest and a superkick to the jaw for two.

Fenix was on the top rope, where Zayn met him. Zayn put Fenix on his shoulders while Zayn was on the turnbuckle. Fenix got out of that and hit a double foot stomp to Zayn’s back for a two count. Great nearfall. Fenix did an incredible leap up to the top rope and hit a perfect moonsault onto a standing Zayn for a two count. Zayn blocked a superkick, but then Fenix went for a move off the ropes with an elbow smash, and Zayn caught Fenix, which led to a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. The fans and Zayn were shocked by it, even though the BTB is a move that is done to get a two count. It worked as a believable nearfall. Zayn gave Fenix an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn charged, but Fenix hit a snap hurricanrana and sat on top of Zayn for a two count. That was close. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” again. Fenix walked the ropes and kicked Zayn in the head. Fenix went for a spin kick, Zayn avoided i,t and Zayn hit an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn hit the Helluva Kick for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Sami Zayn

Analysis: **** This was awesome. Four stars out of five. There were so many incredible nearfalls in the match. I’m all for a great Sami Zayn match on SmackDown every week. Last week was awesome against John Cena, and this was fun too. If you want to establish the US Title Open Challenge as a big deal then that’s how you do it by having an outstanding match that goes nearly 20 minutes. They did a tremendous job of having exciting nearfalls throughout the match. I didn’t expect Zayn to lose the match because he won the US Title recently, but I still got into it, and the fans obviously got into it because they were going crazy for the match. Great job by Sami and Rey.

B-Fab was on the phone, telling somebody to call her. Giulia and Kiana James trashed Michin, who is friends with B-Fab. They exchanged some words and agreed to a match. That was earlier in the night because the match is next.

The Women’s US Champion, Giulia, made her entrance with Kiana James. That match is next.

This Monday on Raw: CM Punk & AJ Lee will go face to face with Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch, plus John Cena returns to Raw. It’s a 7 p.m. ET start time for Raw.

(Commercial)

A video aired featuring The Wyatt Sicks. Bo Dallas wondered where do the Street Profits go from here? Bo said that the Profits failed. Erick Rowan said it pains him to see Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins go through this. Rowan said people should appreciate what they have until it’s gone. Rowan said that their brotherhood is rotting, and they will need to save themselves. Bo said that they are not the ones to blame. Bo wondered again where do the Profits go from here? Bo said, “Follow the buzzards” to end it.

The Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. B-Fab match never started. James got in B-Fab’s face, so B-Fab hit a necksnap across the top rope. Giulia kicked B-Fab down and threw her into the barricade. James stomped on B-Fab in the ring. Giulia hit her running knee to knock B-Fab down. Michin made the save with a kendo stick that she used to hit James a few times. Giulia left the ring to escape the attack.

Analysis: That will probably set up a tag team match between the four women. An easy way to get Michin a pop is by making the save in that spot. I like Giulia and James together.

Drew McIntyre was shown getting ready for the main event.

Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill were shown on a split-screen as they were walking backstage, leading into their match.

(Commercial)

A video was shown of WWE announcing that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027. They didn’t announce a specific date, but they have a lot of time to figure that out.

Aleister Black was featured in a video package talking about how he beat Damian Priest. Black said that he is a sickness and a cure. Black said that Priest will keep fighting this. Black said if you keep fighting, then you’ll die by the code. Black said that violence begets violence and he will be its profit. Okay then.

It was the top of hour two as Queen of the Ring winner Jade Cargill made her entrance. Jade was shouting about how it’s her time. A replay was shown from SummerSlam when Jade covered Stratton and Stratton’s leg was on the rope during the pin. It was not a pin. It was the spot that they planned, and Stratton came back to win.

The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton popped big for the champion, who has not tasted defeat this year. Stratton mentioned last week that she’s the longest reigning champion in WWE right now since he won that title in early January.

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

Stratton tried an arm drag, but Jade used her power to block. Stratton dropkicked Jade into the turnbuckle. Jade caught Stratton, she went for a suplex, Stratton got out of it and Jade hit a powerslam for two. Stratton countered a suplex and rolled up Jade for two. Stratton sent Jade out of the ring, and Stratton hit a slingshot cross-body block over the top onto Jade on the floor. They went to a break for some fans as the action continued. Stratton went up top, but Jade was there with a superplex. Jade worked over Stratton with four forearms to the chest as if she were Sheamus. Jade put her boot to the throat of Stratton against the turnbuckle. Jade tossed Stratton out of the ring and Jade sent Stratton into the barricade. Jade grabbed Stratton in a chinlock. Stratton tripped up Jade into the ropes, followed by Stratton hitting a hip attack to the back. Jade hit a Bosswoman Slam for a two count. Jade grabbed a chinlock.

The match continued with Stratton breaking free and hitting a spinebuster. It was a bit sloppy, but effective enough. Jade caught Stratton, who pulled herself up and hit a hurricanrana. Stratton hit a handspring back elbow against the turnbuckle. Stratton hit a running dropkick on a seated Jade. Stratton went up top and hit a Swanton Bomb for two. Stratton went for a move, Jade slipped out and Jade superkicked Stratton out of the ring. Stratton tripped up Jade on the apron. Jade got a hold of Stratton and slammed Stratton onto the ring apron. Stratton avoided a pump kick and hit a rolling senton. Stratton went up top, but Jade caught her. Jade put Stratton on her shoulders and hit a spinning sitout Powerbomb for two. Good nearfall. Jade teased a move, but Stratton flipped out of that and covered for two. Stratton hit an Alabama Slam. Stratton went up top, jumped off with a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Jade moved out of the way and Jade hit a pump kick to knock Stratton down. The fans cheered as both women were down on the mat. Jade worked over Stratton with forearms. Jade brought Stratton to the apron, where they exchanged strikes. Jade superkicked Stratton. Jade charged, Stratton moved and Jade hit her shoulder into the ring post. Stratton hit a dropkick on the apron. Stratton went up top, jumped off with a moonsault, Jade moved and Stratton went flipping onto the floor. Jade tackled Stratton into the barricade, so the barricade broke. The referee counted them out, so it’s a draw. The match went 12 minutes.

Match Result: Double Countout (Tiffany Stratton remains WWE Women’s Champion)

Analysis: ***1/4 I liked the match and thought it was better than their SummerSlam match. A double countout likely means that another match is coming, but with Nia Jax’s involvement after the match, it could lead to a triple threat. I thought Jade had a shot to win here, so it was at least more interesting because of that. Their SummerSlam match was lacking something, but this one was better and more intense. They had better chemistry this time around for sure. Stratton is terrific, while Jade is getting better.

Nia Jax showed up at ringside and attacked Jade. Jax threw Jade into the steel steps. Jax gave Jade a Samoan Drop on the floor. Jax sent Stratton into the ring, and Jax headbutted Stratton to knock her down. Jax went to the turnbuckle and hit an Annihilator on Stratton. Jax did the “belt motion” with her hands.

Analysis: That attack by Nia Jax makes a triple threat match between Stratton, Cargill & Jax seem likely.

The SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, was shown leaving his office when Chelsea Green was there with Alba Fyre. Green complained about Charlotte’s injury. Aldis said it was a legit injury. Aldis said that Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss are defending the NXT Tag Team Titles at NXT Homecoming, so Green & Fyre can get the winners.

The Miz talked to Nick Aldis, who said he already spoke to Carmelo Hayes about a title shot. Miz assumed it meant Tag Team Titles, Aldis was about to correct him, and Aldis said never mind.

Analysis: That probably means Carmelo Hayes is getting a US Title shot against Sami Zayn in his open challenge, but Miz thinks it’s a tag team match.

Randy Orton was shown getting ready for the main event.

(Commercial)

Brock Lesnar-John Cena Video Package

A video package aired about John Cena and Brock Lesnar’s rivalry on their road to Wrestlepalooza. Joe Tessitore narrated the video. Cena and Lesnar were shown training at OVW at the same time in 2000. They had Batista saying that there’s nothing that Lesnar couldn’t do. Randy Orton said that there was something special about Cena. It moved ahead to their WWE main roster debuts with Lesnar winning the WWE Title in five short months. They showed Cena’s debut against Kurt Angle and respect from The Undertaker. Lesnar became a main eventer while Cena saved his career as a rapper, and he went on his way to becoming a big star. A clip was shown of their early matches on SmackDown in 2003. Cena went from afterthought to standout by mid-2003. They also mentioned that Lesnar was miserable and had to leave WWE, so he quit in March 2004. At WrestleMania 20, Lesnar gave a middle finger salute to the fans. At the same show, Cena won his first singles title, the US Title, when he beat Big Show. Next Friday is Part 2 of the Cena-Lesnar history.

Analysis: That was great. I have lived through the careers of both guys, and I have been writing about WWE for their entire runs. I know their histories very well. Lesnar was a much bigger star early on, but Cena is a grinder and became a huge name over the years. The Wrestlemania 20 point is interesting because it was Lesnar’s departure for eight years, while it’s also a big show for Cena since it was his first singles title win.

Drew McIntyre made his entrance for the main event.

(Commercial)

A video aired promoting the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford boxing match on September 13th. It’s on Netflix.

Rey Mysterio was interviewed by Vero Rodriguez at the WWE-AAA Worlds Collide event. He was interrupted by his son, Dominik Mysterio. Dominik said when he beats El Hijo Del Vikingo, he’ll be the first AAA Grand Champion, and he’ll be a double champion. Dominik said that when he wins, he wants his dad to raise his hand and put the title around his waist. Rey said he would do it. Finn Balor walked in, and his wife is the interviewer. Balor told Dom to win the championship alone. Balor said he’s got it. Dominik was left to think about it.

Analysis: Finn Balor told Dominik Mysterio to win on his own, but we know Dom likes using El Grande Americano for an assist.

Sami Zayn was interviewed by Cathy Kelley backstage. There was somebody in the background watching the interview. I think it was Shinsuke Nakamura. Carmelo Hayes walked in, saying since Zayn is giving out opportunities, Melo said he’s got next. Zayn said alright, don’t miss. Zayn left. The Miz walked up to Melo, and The Miz complained about Melo doing this. Miz said that Melo needs somebody to guide him to down the right path. Miz said he was trying to guide Melo to the Tag Team Titles. Melo said that he can get the US Title and Tag Team Titles. Miz said you don’t know how difficult that is and Melo told Miz that he did it. Melo told Miz to trust him.

Analysis: This was teased earlier, and I like the idea of a Zayn-Melo match next week. Sounds good to me.

Randy Orton made his entrance to a huge ovation, and the fans sang his song most of the way. I think Drew was the ring for nearly 10 minutes from the time he walked out there. It took a long time to get this match going.

Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton

There were loud “Randy” chants. Orton worked over Drew with punches, along with a clothesline that sent Drew over the top to the floor. They went for a break, and I’ll take a break too. Drew was in control for a bit, but Orton managed to take control with an uppercut that rocked Drew backwards a bit. Back in the ring, Drew did some eye gouging.

The match continued wit Drew going for a suplex, but Orton got a suplex of his own. Orton stomped on Drew’s body followed by a knee drop. Orton was limping around a bit, selling the left knee, so Drew kicked him in the back of the left knee. Drew hit a chop block to the back of Orton’s knee. Drew wrenched on Orton’s left knee against Drew’s shoulder. Drew applied a Figure Four Leglock. There were “Randy” chants from the fans. Orton turned Drew over to reverse the Figure Four Leglock, so Drew got his hand on the bottom rope. Orton hit some punches, along with a belly-to-back suplex. Drew rolled out of the ring, so Orton followed him out of the ring. Orton sent Drew face first into the commentary table. Drew eye gouged Orton again and Drew gave Orton the belly-to-back suplex on the commentary table. Drew hit another chop block to the back of the left knee. They went to break for some fans as Drew was fully in control during the next three minutes. Orton was selling the left knee injury.

Drew remained in control with a body slam so that Orton’s legs hit the top rope. Drew wrenched his left knee, which led to Orton leaving the ring. Drew sent Orton into the ring, so Orton hit an eye poke. Orton rammed Drew into the turnbuckle multiple times, but Drew came back with a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Drew went for a move, so Orton kicked Drew into the ring post. Orton worked over Drew with clotheslines. Drew held onto the ropes, Orton sent him to the apron, and Drew hit a necksnap across the top rope. Orton caught Drew, leading to a powerslam. The fans chanted “RKO” for Orton. Drew left the ring, so Orton gave Drew a belly-to-back slam onto the commentary table. Orton slammed Drew onto the table hood again. They went back into the ring, where Drew hit a Claymore Kick. Orton rolled out of the ring to avoid being pinned. Drew put Orton back into the ring. When Drew was about to go back in the ring, Orton hit an RKO, so Drew rolled out of the ring. Drew shoved Orton into the ring apron. Drew went back into the ring, but Orton stopped him and hit a draping DDT. Orton was bleeding a bit from above his eyebrows. Orton teased a Punt kick, but the referee, Ryan Tran, stopped him from it. Orton got the referee out of the way and Orton teased a Punt. Drew shoved Orton into the referee, Orton stopped himself and Drew hit a Claymore Kick for the pinfall win after 16 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Analysis: ***3/4 Great match that was very competitive. Drew getting the win makes sense because he’s the next WWE Championship challenger, so beating a top star like Orton sets up Drew with some positive momentum. I liked the finish of the match with Orton wanting the Punt, but the referee stopped him initially, and then Orton wasn’t able to hit it because Drew avoided it. That led to Drew’s Claymore Kick for the decisive win. It wasn’t a cheap win, but it was a crafty victory for the heel McIntyre. I liked it a lot.

After the match, Drew set up Orton against the commentary table, but here comes the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the save. Huge ovation for Cody. Cody ran into the ring, punched Drew a few times, and Cody hit a Cody Cutter off the ropes. Drew left the ring.

Cody: “Drew McIntyre, the champ is back! We can do this dance, I’ll see you, my friend…at Wrestlepalooza!” Cody smiled while Drew nodded at him. Cody’s music played to end the show.

Analysis: Welcome back, Cody, who missed the past month to film the Street Fighter movie, but that’s done, and he’s back. Doing Cody against Drew for the WWE Title at Wrestlepalooza is another huge match at the show. I actually wouldn’t mind seeing Drew as WWE Champion again, but I doubt Cody will lose.

CODY RHODES CHALLENGES DREW MCINTYRE AT WRESTLEPALOOZA 🔥

Stream #Wrestlepalooza on the ESPN App on Sept. 20 🍿

(via @WWE)pic.twitter.com/96WKOfFJMG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 13, 2025

===

Three Stars of the Show

1. Sami Zayn
2. Drew McIntyre
3. Rey Fenix, Randy Orton

===

The Scoreboard

7.75 out of 10

Last week: 8

2025 Average: 7.35

===

Final Thoughts on WWE SmackDown

I liked the show, similar to last week, thanks to the great in-ring action. The Zayn/Fenix match was awesome, and the McIntyre/Orton match was also well done. Welcome back to Cody Rhodes to set up his Wrestlepalooza match with Drew McIntyre. It was a quick and simple way to make it official.

There wasn’t much talking this week in terms of in-ring promos. I would have liked to see more from Brock Lesnar in terms of why he was attacking Brock Lesnar. Instead, we got “Ron Cena” (aka R-Truth) trying to get in Lesnar’s face just to have Lesnar hit the F5. There wasn’t much to it aside from a few laughs.

The match quality improved a lot on SmackDown over the last two weeks. Only three matches this week, but they were given time, and that helped it become a better show.

The next WWE PLE is Wrestlepalooza on September 20th. Here’s the lineup so far.

* John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

* CM Punk & AJ Lee vs. Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

* WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

* For the Vacant Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Iyo Sky

* The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker

You can watch Wrestlepalooza, streaming LIVE Saturday, September 20, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ESPN 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