‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Aug 8th 2025)
Welcome to this review of this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: The MFTs def. The Motor City Machine Guns
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Talla Tonga and JC Mateo picked up a major victory as they took down Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley. The Motor City Machine Guns shined early, using their incredible chemistry to isolate and neutralize Mateo, which kept the hulking Tonga away from the action. The towering Tonga, however, refused to stay down and threw Sabin to the floor, allowing his team to take control of the matchup. The Motor City Machine Guns fought back but were still banged up from their TLC Match at SummerSlam, and one chokeslam from Tonga ended the match.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Sami Zayn def. Solo Sikoa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Montreal was treated to a surprise as hometown hero Sami Zayn ventured from Monday Night Raw to face Solo Sikoa in a non-title match. The deafening crowd lifted Zayn in a huge way as he pounded the United States Champion, with seemingly everything working for the Canadian Superstar. However, the numbers game caught up to Zayn, and JC Mateo, Tonga Loa and Talla Tonga all tried getting in the ring. Not to be deterred, Zayn powered through the distraction and rolled up Sikoa for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Charlotte Flair def. Chelsea Green
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
“The Queen” Charlotte Flair gave her fellow WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Alexa Bliss another gift for her birthday as she defeated Chelsea Green. Green weathered an early storm from Flair and had Piper Niven and Alba Fyre grab Bliss’ birthday cake, but her attempt to hit the Unpretty-her into it backfired as Flair reversed it and hit one of her own. With Green covered in frosting, Flair locked in a Figure-Eight Leglock and quickly made Green tap out.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Cody Rhodes & John Cena def. Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
John Cena teamed with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to defeat Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, but The American Nightmare paid a dear price for it. Rhodes started the match for his team and took out The Maverick, but The Scottish Psychopath was too powerful and downed the champion. The American Nightmare fought valiantly and managed to tag in Cena, and the WWE Universe erupted in approval. Out of nowhere, Paul delivered a low blow to Cena, forcing a disqualification and leaving Rhodes to face the wrath of McIntyre in the form of a Claymore into the announce table.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
The Bell Centre in Montreal delivered a solids, if mundane episode SmackDown this week – John Cena made a heartfelt return to babyface form, opening with an emotional promo admitting his fears post–SummerSlam and challenging anyone brave enough to step up. He accepted Logan Paul’s callout after Cody Rhodes came to his rescue, leading to a tag match that ended in chaos when Drew McIntyre brutally Claymore’d Rhodes through the announcers’ table. Sami Zayn generated hometown magic by pinning U.S. Champion Solo Sikoa in a non-title bout, and R-Truth’s emotional backstage reunion with Cena added a warm touch amid the violence-laden finale.
