WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (September 5, 2025): Brock Lesnar appears to F5 John Cena again; AJ Lee makes long-awaited return to take down Becky Lynch & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Giulia retains; Kiana James attacks Michin; Sami Zayn challenges John Cena & more!
In the aftermath of the Clash in Paris, which concluded last Sunday, the dust seemed to settle for the WWE Universe, but the fallout show of Raw proved that more turmoil is awaiting them on the fallout show of Friday Night SmackDown.
The September 5 fallout episode of SmackDown aired from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Multiple big names, including John Cena, CM Punk, Tiffany Stratton, and Randy Orton, were advertised for the show.
This was the final SmackDown appearance for John Cena as there are only seven dates left on hi farewell tour with all of them being on PLEs, Raw and SNME. Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 09/5 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
John Cena’s final SmackDown
Cena thanked the Chicago crowd and recapped the beginning of his farewell tour, which he was told by his peers to enjoy and have fun, but he was focused on giving his heart and soul to his fans on this farewell tour. Cena stated that he had nothing planned and just wanted to have fun tonight, taking it all in.
He recapped how his appearances in Chicago were different than now, noting how the crowd booed him, and lauded the crowd before teasing that they were in for an exciting night, announcing that it was his last time in Chicago and his last appearance on SmackDown. He then stated how it all started 23 years ago in this very city against Kurt Angle.
Cena continued to recap his amazing journey and matches in Chicago, stating that the place was special and in the argument of being the greatest crowd in WWE, adding that in his mind, there was no argument. The 17-time World Champion went to leave as Sami Zayn’s music hit and the newly crowned United States Champion appeared.
The crowd started booing as Zayn stated that he was not there to interrupt and asked the crowd to hear him out. Zayn stated that it would feel wrong to come out and not thank Cena for everything he had done for them.
Sami also thanked Cena for everything he did for him, and stated that he wanted to pay it forward the way Cena did with the open US Title tournament. He then announced the Sami Zayn Open US Title Challenge with Cena’s permission. Cena stated that it was a great idea, as Sami stated that if it was Cena’s last SmackDown, then he wanted to give Cena the shot at the US Championship.
The crowd erupted with “YES!” chants as Zayn continued, stating that he was ready to do it in Chicago, right now. Cena clarified what Sami was saying, Sami offered his hand, Cena accepted, and called in a referee.
Grade: B
Top Moments, Insights & Highlights:
- Sami Zayn is getting loud boos from the crowd, which was unexpected.
- During the promo, Cena suggested that it was the Chicago fans who were responsible for CM Punk’s return to WWE, rather than his release from AEW.
Sami Zayn (c) vs John Cena – United States title match
In the first match of the show, Sami Zayn defended the US title against John Cena in an impromptu match. Zayn was in control early, but Cena bounced back to hit some unique moves paying homage to his great rivals, including delivering a GTS, pop-up powerbomb, the Ankle lock, and one RKO attempt.
The match was gruesome with both men delivering thunderous moves but failing to pin each other, until the Beast arrived. Cena delivered an Avalanche AA from the top rope and just then, Brock Lesnar made his much-awaited return, pulling out the referee to F5 Sami Zayn and then turning his attention to Cena, delivering two back-to-back F5.
Winner: No Contest
Grade: B+
Top Moments, Insights & Highlights:
- This was Cena’s final appearance in Chicago, 23 years after where it all began; it was also his final SmackDown appearance.
- Cena continued to pay homage to his great rivals and adversaries throughout the match, delivering a pop-up powerbomb, an Angle Slam, GTS, and even an RKO attempt.
- After the attack, Lesnar cut a short promo stating that he will see Cena at Wrestlepalooza, WWE made the match official shortly.
- In a backstage segment, GM Nick Aldis ran into Carmelo Hayes. Aldis didn’t have time for him, but The Miz interrupted Hayes and said they wanted a title match. Aldis said he would take it under consideration and stormed off, leaving Melo to argue with Miz about speaking for him.
Aleister Black vs Damian Priest
Before the match even began, Aleister attacked Priest during the walkouts, despite concerns from officials, Priest stepped back into the ring to suffer more punishment before making it back to his feet to start the match.
Black was in control early, but Priest rallied, delivering the Razor’s Edge right on the announce desk. However, a failed South of Heaven attempt from Priest, which Black uses the official to block and then shove him into Priest, aided Black, who delivered the Black Mass to pick up the win.
Winner: Aleister Black
Grade: C+
Top Moments, Insights & Highlights:
- Both men used a lot of strikes, showcasing their martial arts background.
- A video package from Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre hyped up their upcoming clash next week.
- Cathy Kelley interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage. Tiffany said that Jade Cargill talked a lot, but all of it would end next week when the bell rang. Tiffany added that Jade didn’t need to worry about her foot on the ropes, because her own foot would be stuck right up Cargill’s “eye of the storm.”
- Cargill was watching the interview when Nia Jax approached her and stated that she didn’t deserve to be the number one contender. Cargill responded by saying Nia could get a shot once she took the title from “Blow-Up Barbie,” but for now, she’d better stay out of her way.
Giulia (c) vs Michin – Women’s United States title match
In the third and final match of the show, Giulia defended the Women’s US title against Michin, who pinned Giulia’s official representative, Kiana Jame,s last week to secure the title shot. Both women kicked off the match with a flurry of punches.
Michin had her moments, but a distraction from Kiana James aided Giulia, who managed to hit the Arrivederci to pin Michin and retain the title. James viciously attacked Michin after the match.
Winner: Giulia
Grade: C
Top Moments, Insights & Highlights:
- In a backstage segment, Nick Aldis confronted Becky Lynch backstage, saying he hadn’t expected her to be there tonight. He told her that he couldn’t handle any more issues between her and CM Punk. Lynch asked him to chill and left.
- In another segment, ‘Doctor Lilly’ and Alexa Bliss tended to Charlotte Flair and her injured leg, as Flair talked about wanting to get revenge on Chelsea Green and The Secret Hervice.
AJ Lee returns
Seth Rollins, who was in the crowd stands, stated that tonight they would witness history because the legend of CM Punk would die tonight, right here, right now. He then introduced Becky Lynch in style. “AJ LEE” chants drowned out Lynch, who picked up the mic and blasted the crowd for chanting another person’s name while she was standing in the ring.
Lynch then mentioned CM Punk, which brought out the Second City Saint, and the crowd erupted in Chicago. Punk stepped into the ring as Rollins continued to provoke him from the crowd stands. The Second City Saint picked up the mic, stating that it wasn’t about Lynch but about her coward husband, who was hiding in the crowd.
Lynch said it was about her and berated Punk, who fired back by calling Rollins a coward again and stating that he continued to hide. Lynch asked how Punk’s face felt and questioned his pride. “AJ LEE” chants erupted again, and Lynch told the crowd to shut up.
Punk responded by telling her to let them chant, then reminded her they were in Chicago and said if needed, he could call on one of his friends to come down and kick her ass. Punk name-dropped Bayley and Rhea Ripley, prompting Lynch to slap him repeatedly, shoving and slapping him while asking if he was going to do something.
Punk stepped out of the ring as Lynch told him to get out and called him an embarrassment to Chicago. Punk said he wanted to avoid the situation since he wouldn’t put his hands on a lady, but thankfully, he had someone who would.
AJ Lee’s music hit as the former Divas Champion returned, and the Chicago crowd went wild. Lee stepped into the ring and took down Lynch, and the brawl was on. Lynch tried to escape, but Lee dragged her back into the ring, delivering a flurry of punches.
Lynch pleaded as Lee dropped her with a vicious slap, getting payback on behalf of CM Punk. Lynch rolled out of the ring as Punk called out to Rollins, who went to check on Lynch. Punk stepped into the ring to hug Lee, and the crowd erupted as the show came to an end.
Grade: B+
Top Moments, Insights & Highlights:
- AJ returned to WWE after over a decade; her last in-ring appearance came in March 2015.
- The return signals a mixed-tag team match at Wrestlepalooza between the two real-life couples.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Sami Zayn (c) vs John Cena – United States title match ended in DQ
- Brock Lesnar returned to attack John Cena
- Aleister Black pinned Damian Priest
- Giulia (c) defeated Michin – Women’s United States title match
- AJ Lee returned to attack Becky Lynch
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Giulia defeated Michin to retain the United States title in the third and final match of tonight’s show.
Did WWE announce any matches for Wrestlepalooza 2025 on tonight’s show?
Yes, a much-awaited clash between John Cena and Brock Lesnar was announced for the PLE on SmackDown tonight.
When and where will Wrestlepalooza 2025 take place?
The 2025 edition of Wrestlepalooza is set for September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The PLE will usher in the ESPN era in the US, as the event will air live and exclusively on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix internationally (excluding some markets).
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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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