WWE SmackDown
September 5, 2025
Allstate Arena
Chicago, IL
We are live with ongoing coverage of WWE SmackDown. As always, we will post updates immediately after every match so refresh this page often.
Sami Zayn challenges John Cena for the United States Championship
We open the show with John Cena making his way to the ring. The fans are standing and chanting, “Thank you, Cena.” He said I have focused on doing great work, giving you my heart and soul, and leaving it all in the ring every single night on this farewell tour. I have nothing planned tonight because I want to have fun. I’m just going to take it in. The crowd chants, “Cena.” Cena said this is my last time in Chicago and my last time on SmackDown.
Cena thanked the crowd. As he was getting ready to leave the ring, Sami Zayn came to the ring. The crowd booed Sami as he started to talk. Sami said it would be wrong if I didn’t come out here and not say thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us including me. I made my debut in Chicago against you for the United States Championship. I’m now the United States Champion and I want to pay it forward by introducing the open challenge like you did with your permission. Cena said I think that’s a great idea. As Cena was ready to leave the ring, Sami said if this is the last chance to share a ring with you, I want to give you a shot at the U.S. Championship tonight. Cena accepted the challenge and they shook hands.
United States Championship Match: Sami Zayn (Champion) vs John Cena
The crowd was clearly behind Cena throughout the match. Cena hit Zayn with an AA for a near fall. He blocked an Exploder by Zayn and gave him a pop-up powerbomb. Zayn charged at Cena in the corner with a Helluva Kick but Cena moved out of the way and gave him an Angle Slam. Cena hit Zayn with another AA during the picture-in-picture break for another near fall. Zayn hit an Exploder and a Helluva Kick but Cena kicked out at two. Cena caught Zayn with a GTS and a spear but couldn’t put Zayn away. Cena then gave Zayn an AA off the top rope.
With both men down on the mat, Brock Lesnar appeared and made his way to the ring. He pulled the referee out of the ring. Lesnar picked up Zayn and gave him an F-5. He turned his attention to Cena and gave him an F-5 as the crowd booed him. As Lesnar looked around, he picked up Cena and gave him another F-5 before exiting the ring.
Backstage:
We return from the break. Brock Lesnar was backstage and he told Cena, “I’ll see you at Wrestlepalooza, bitch.”
Backstage:
The Miz and Carmelo Hayes told Nick Aldis they want a shot at the tag team titles. Aldis said now is not the time but he will take it under consideration. Hayes told Miz he doesn’t want a tag title match. Around the corner, Becky Lynch got out of her vehicle.
Aleister Black vignette:
Black said I came home to WWE hoping things would have changed only to find out the world was still poisoned. He said Damian Priest is standing across years of hate this industry has carved into me. I will purify the well. If that path leads to my ruin, so be it. I can be the king that falls on his own sword. I can follow the rules until I don’t.
Aleister Black vs Damian Priest
As Priest was making his way to the ring, Black jumped him from behind. They fought for several minutes outside the ring before the match started. Priest gave Black a Flatliner on the ring apron. He cleared the announce table and gave Black a Razor’s Edge on it. Priest threw Black back in the ring. Black blocked the South of Heaven by holding onto the referee’s shirt and pushing him into Priest. As Priest moved the referee out of the way, Black hit him with the Black Mass and pinned him.
Winner: Aleister Black
Next week on SmackDown:
Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre did separate interviews interwoven into one building up their match next week on SmackDown. They also announced Brock Lesnar will appear as well as Tiffany Stratton defending her WWE Women’s Championship Match against Jade Cargill.
Backstage:
- Tiffany Stratton said next week she will defeat Jade Cargill
- Nia Jax told Jade she got lucky and doesn’t deserve to be the number one contender. Jade told her when I get my title from that blowup Barbie, you can get your shot. Until then, get out of my way or catch these hands tonight.
- Nick Aldis told Becky Lynch he didn’t know she was going to be here tonight, but he can’t have any more issues.
Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs Michin
Giulia hit two knee strikes to the chin of Michin. Michin blocked a third one and turned it into a sit-out powerbomb for a two-count. James got on the ring apron. Michin dropped James face first on the ring apron sending her down to the mat. Michin turned around and got hit with the Arrivederci by Giulia and pinned. After the match, James hit Michin with her bag and pounded away at her until the referee pulled her off.
Winner and still Women’s United States Champion: Giulia
Backstage:
Charlotte said she hasn’t been cleared to compete after the attack by Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre last week. She told Alexa Bliss she wants revenge on Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Bliss said we can get revenge when the time is right, but right now, you need to rest and relax.
AJ Lee Returns
Seth Rollins appeared in the crowd. He said the legend of CM Punk dies right here. The crowd chanted for CM Punk. Rollins introduced Becky Lynch who made her way to the ring. Inside the ring, Becky said the Chicago sports teams suck and so does CM Punk. The crowd booed loudly for this.
CM Punk’s music played and the crowd responded with a huge pop as he made his way from the entrance to the ring. With Punk and Becky both in the ring, Punk told her this isn’t about you. Becky said I’m surprised you came out here. Aren’t you embarrassed? Punk said this is about your coward of a husband who is hiding in a skybox, hiding behind Paul Heyman and his goons, and hiding behind his wife. Becky asked him, how is your face feeling? How is your pride feeling? The crowd changed for AJ Lee. Becky told the crowd to shut up.
Punk said they can chant for AJ Lee. Punk said you don’t think I can call in a favor to Bayley or Rhea Ripley. Becky paint-brushed him and pushed him again. Punk got out of the ring. Punk said this is what I wanted to avoid because I would never put my hands on a lady. Thankfully, I have somebody that will. AJ Lee’s music played to a thunderous applause. AJ Lee came out from the entrance way. She skipped all the way into the ring. Becky charged at her but Lee took her down and began punching her. Becky tried to escape but Lee grabbed her by the hair, took her down, and began punching her some more before Becky escaped. The crowd chanted AJ Lee as Punk and her hugged in the ring to end the show.
