Top five storylines to watch on WWE SmackDown tonight (September 5, 2025); Wrestlepalooza build up; earth-shattering returns & more

WWE fans in Chicago might witness two highly anticipated returns!

Tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown is set to air from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Multiple big names, including John Cena, CM Punk, Tiffany Stratton, and Randy Orton, are being advertised for the show.

The show will serve as the fallout show from the Clash in Paris PLE, which concluded last Sunday, and feature multiple big names. Additionally, both John Cena and CM Punk are confirmed for an appearance on the Blue brand’s show.

Ahead of tonight’s show in Chicago, Illinois, let us take a look at the top five storylines that will be in play on this week’s WWE SmackDown.

5. Women’s Tag Team titles

On last week’s show, Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were set to defend the titles against the Secret Hervice (Alba Fyre & Piper Niven). However, before the show, it was announced that Chelsea Green will be replacing Niven, who is unable to compete.

What unfolded was a similar scene from Bliss’ last appearance, as after the attack, Flair was unable to compete and Bliss defeated Green in a singles match. What followed was another beatdown by Fyre and Green, signaling that the feud is going to continue.

Also Read: WWE SmackDown (September 5, 2025): Preview, match card, news, timings, where to watch & more

4. United States Championship

In the main event of last week’s show, Solo Sikoa defended his United States title against Sami Zayn. Solo’s MFTs (Talla Tonga, JC Mateo & Tonga Loa) were present during the match, aiding Sikoa. However, the arrival of Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu evened the odds with Zayn pinning Solo to capture the US title for the first time.

Solo and his MFTs are likley not going to take the humiliation lightly and might target the newly crowned Champion along with Big Jim and Fatu.

3. Randy Orton RKOs everyone

During last week’s show, after a fiery promo, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton engaged in a brawl, which forced security and officials out to separate the two. While Drew threw the first shot, Orton ended up on top but was irked by the security, snapping once, taking everyone out with an RKO.

Orton also RKOed the former WWE star Hurricane, who currently works as a backstage producer. There are murmurs of fining Orton over the incident. Additionally, McIntyre is likely not going to sit back after last week and with Wrestlepalooza approaching, a match announcement might be in the books.

2. CM Punk appears in Chicago

Following his heated exchange with Becky Lynch, where she interrupted his callout of Seth Rollins to himilate and slap him, CM Punk is now ready to make an appearance in Chicago this Friday. This was confirmed in a backstage segment after the now viral promo with Lynch, where Punk was looking for Rollins.

There is heavy speculation of AJ Lee making her return to the company after a decade in Chicago tonight, similar to Punk’s return, and reports also point to a mixed tag match between the two real-life couples at Wrestlepalooza.

Also Read: All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown (September 5, 2025): John Cena, CM Punk & more

1. John Cena’s final appearance

The 17-time WWE World Champion, John Cena, is set to make an appearance on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. He is being advertised to have his final appearance in Chicago. Ahead of the show, a recent report from WrestleVotes has revealed that Cena’s final appearance in Chicago might be his final SmackDown appearance.

Additionally, fans are also expecting the return of Brock Lesnar tonight, as Fightful Select has reported that Lesnar is expected to appear on the show tonight. Lesnar might return tonight to ambush Cena, reigniting their brawl, which might end in a Wrestlepalooza main event clash as per reports.

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