WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (August 1, 2025): Real John Cena returns; Randy Orton, Jelly Roll, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul engage in massive brawl & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Giulia retains; Mr. Iguana & Psycho Clown appear; Jacob Fatu dismantles Solo Sikoa’s MFT & more!
The build towards ‘The Biggest Party of the Summer’, SummerSlam 2025, reached its final destination as WWE delivered the SummerSlam go-home show of Friday Night SmackDown. The August 1 episode of the Blue brand aired live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Multiple top names, including John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Charlotte Flair, Randy Orton, and Tiffany Stratton, among others, were advertised for the show. Stars set to clash at the PLE also met for the final time on the go-home show.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 08/01 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
The real John Cena returns
John Cena picked up the mic to kick off the show, but before he could speak, Cody Rhodes interrupted. Rhodes stepped into the ring and grabbed the mic as he came face-to-face with Cena. Cena put up a finger near Cody’s face and then stated he told him that he was exhausted and that a match at SummerSlam would be too difficult for him, and Cody didn’t listen.
He forced Cena into one of the most dangerous matches on one of its grandest stages. Cena then thanked Cody, stating that was just the boot in the ass he needed, detailing how he flushed all of his iconic career down the toilet only to make great TV.
But when the dust settled, everybody who was supposed to be on his side left him all alone. Cena reiterated that he wanted to leave here with the title. He stated that he wanted to take the title home, not because he wanted to ruin wrestling, but because when he’s gone, fans wouldn’t forget about him.
The Champion once again stated that he had been acting stupid, and fans warned him, even Cody did, but he didn’t listen, and now Rhodes had forced him into a fight, not a match, a fight. The 17-time World Champion was all hyped up, stating that August 1 was the day that JOHN CENA came back to the WWE.
Cena continued, saying that no matter who left with the title on Sunday, the fans would win because he was finally over his BS, and Cody would face his best self. Cena stated that the only platinum rapper showing up to beat Cody was him.
Cody then brought out two beer bottles and picked up the mic to say, “WELCOME BACK, JOHN CENA.” Cody handed Cena the second beer bottle as the two embraced and took a sip. Cody left the ring as the crowd once again erupted in CENA chants. The Champion got on the ropes and flaunted the title to end the segment!
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- Whatever it’s worth, I’m glad that we got to see babyface John Cena. However, this feels like a setup for SummerSlam.
Giulia (c) vs Zelina Vega – Women’s United States Championship match
Women’s United States Champion Giulia, accompanied by her official representative Kiana James, defended the title for the first time in a rematch against Zelina Vega. Both women delivered a great match but in the end, the Champion delivered the northern light bomb to pick up the win and retain the title in her first defense.
Winner: Giulia
Grade: B+
Key Takeaways:
- This was Giulia’s first United States title defense.
- An earlier footage aired before the match, where Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre crash Jelly Roll’s practice and attack him with McIntyre landing a Claymore.
Los Garza (Angel & Berto) (c) vs Psycho Clown & Mr. Iguana – AAA World Tag Team title match
Santos Escobar hyped up Los Garzas and then issued the open challenge, which was answered by AAA’s Mr. Iguan and Psycho Clown. Iguana came out with the fan favorite La Yezca. Iguana and Clown took control early with fast-paced moves. However, Angel and Berto slowly rallied back to win the match and retain the AAA World Tag titles.
Winner: Los Garza (Angel & Berto)
Grade: C+
Key Takeaways:
- La Yezca got the loudest pop, even more than the four stars, including Mr. Iguana.
- The match had a few botches and miscommunications, but it delivered overall with Mr. Iguana emerging once again as the crowd’s favorite.
- Solo Sikoa had a funny interaction with Cathy Kelley where he previewed Talla Tonga’s clash with Jimmy Uso.
Damian Priest vs Aleister Black
As announced, Damian Priest and Aleister Black locked horns for the first time to settle the score inside the ring. The grudge match saw a boxing battle between the two, with multiple body kicks. Despite Black’s offense early, Priest took control as sent Aleister over the announce desk.
However, Black threw a steel chair at Priest, causing the disqualification. He then attacked Priest with the chair, slamming Priest’s head right onto the steel steps. Black stated that he wasn’t done yet, picking Priest up to deliver the Black Mass, sending him crashing over the steel steps.
Winner: Damian Priest via DQ
Grade: B
Key Takeaways:
- In a backstage segment before the match, Cathy Kelley tried to get some answers from Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, but they refused to talk and said that whatever they had to say, they’d say to the world in the ring later that night.
- This was the first meeting between Aleister Black and Damian Priest inside the squared circle.
- Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill met in a backstage segment after the match. Cargill said she didn’t need her help last week, and Stratton replied that when she won tomorrow, she didn’t want there to be any excuses. Jade responded that she was going to finish what she started.
Jimmy Uso vs Talla Tonga
In the final match of the show, Jimmy Uso locked horns with MFT’s Talla Tonga after their confrontation last week. This was Talla’s in-ring debut, and he showcased total domination from bell to bell, with Big Jim getting few shots and offenses in between. A Uso Splash was turned into a chokeslam by Talla, who pinned Jimmy to register his first win.
After the match, Solo, who was ringside during the match and was attacked by Big Jim while trying to cause an interference for the second time, called on the rest of the MFT (JC Mateo & Tonga Loa). Solo and his MFT started beating down Jimmy as he signaled to drop down the steel cage, which had been hanging above the ring.
Sikoa lined Jimmy up for the Samoan Spike, but then Jacob Fatu sneaked into the ring as the steel cage dropped down. Fatu checked on Jimmy as Solo slipped out of the cage, with Talla following him. Fatu halted Mateo and Loa’s attempt to escape, hitting them with moonsaults before climbing the cage and calling on Solo who flaunted the title, stating that it was his!
Winner: Talla Tonga
Grade: C
Key Takeaways:
- This was Talla Tonga’s in-ring debut in WWE.
- WWE aired a video showing Triple H’s visit to the White House and meeting with the US President Donald Trump.
- Solo Sikoa continues to stand out by showcasing his comic timing, especially when he’s left to improvise.
- Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss had another fun and bickering backstage segment with Cathy Kelley.
Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre – Randy Orton & Jelly Roll
In the closing segment of the show, Logan and McIntyre appeared. Paul went off on the Green Shirt Guy, stating that they were trying to defend this place against outsiders. Paul then mocked Jelly Roll, saying that he and Drew had dedicated their entire lives to this place, and they were sick of these outsiders who thought they could come in and take it to the next level.
Paul reminded Jelly that he was an outsider, not a wrestler, who might be a country star but wasn’t a superstar and didn’t belong in this ring. McIntyre chimed in, warning Randy that he had messed up by bringing Jelly for the match.
Backstage, Jelly Roll arrived at the arena alongside Randy Orton. The two rushed toward the ring as GM Nick Aldis tried to reason with them, but they kept walking, and the brawl was on as they entered the ring. Security and officials rushed in to separate the four men, who continued brawling. Orton dropped Logan as McIntyre attacked him.
Orton repaid the favor, sending Drew out of the ring as more security rushed in to separate the four men. Orton and Jelly backed off as three security personnel were still inside the ring. Orton and Jelly shared a moment before Orton snapped, taking down the two security members with vicious RKOs.
The third one pleaded with Orton, who looked at his tag partner. Jelly Roll smiled and dropped the security personnel with a chokeslam. The two then sent a warning to Logan and McIntyre as the show came to an end!
Grade: C
WWE SmackDown Results
- John Cena – Cody Rhodes final face-off
- Giulia (c) pinned Zelina Vega – Women’s US Championship match
- Los Garza (Angel & Berto) (c) defeated Psycho Clown & Mr. Iguana – AAA World Tag Team title match
- Damian Priest vs Aleister Black ended in DQ as Black threw a steel chair at Priest
- Talla Tonga defeated Jimmy Uso
- Randy Orton & Jelly Roll – Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul brawled to end the show
Who won the Women’s United States title clash between Giulia and Zelina Vega?
Giulia defeated Zelina Vega in the first match of the show to retain the Women’s US title.
Who won in the main event on tonight’s SmackDown?
The main event of the show was a segment where the team of Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre engaged in a brawl against the team of Randy Orton and Jelly Roll.
When and where will the upcoming SummerSlam 2025 take place?
WWE SummerSlam is scheduled to take place as a two-night event on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025. The event will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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