‘WWE Smackdown’ Review (Sep 5th 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: Sami Zayn vs. John Cena (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an homage to John Cena’s U.S. Title Open Challenge, United States Champion Sami Zayn challenged Cena to a match on Cena’s last SmackDown. Zayn and Cena went back and forth until Cena hit a huge Attitude Adjustment onto Zayn that somehow Zayn kicked out of. Cena took a page out of Kevin Owens’ playbook, hitting up a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Zayn kept fighting. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Cena countered to hit an Angle Slam that got a close two-count. Both Superstars kicked out of each other’s finishing moves, with Zayn kicking out of the Attitude Adjustment twice, while Cena kicked out of the Helluva Kick at the last second. Cena leveled Zayn with a GTS and a Spear but somehow Zayn kicked out of both. The Greatest of All Time attempted an RKO, but after Zayn evaded the move, Cena hit an avalanche Attitude Adjustment. With both competitors down, Brock Lesnar made his way down to the ring, taking out the referee, before hitting an F-5 on Zayn and Cena to end the match in a No Contest.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Aleister Black def. Damian Priest
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
As Damian Priest was making his entrance, Aleister Black ambushed him from behind, starting the match off with a sneak attack. Priest continued to frustrate Black, however, as The Archer of Infamy kept fighting. Priest became frustrated as well, hitting a huge Razor’s Edge onto Black square onto the announce table. Back in the ring, Black used the referee to hit a dangerous Black Mass onto The Archer of Infamy to win the match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Women’s US Championship – Giulia def. Michin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After taking out Kiana James last week, Michin got her chance to take on Women’s United States Champion Giulia. Despite a spirited effort from Michin, James distracted Michin long enough for The Beautiful Madness to nail the Arrivederci to win the match and retain her title.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- AJ Lee made her return to the WWE, facing off against Becky Lynch.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This week’s show was anchored by emotionally charged moments and standout returns. John Cena’s heartfelt farewell to Chicago set a sentimental backdrop, perfectly punctuated by an open-challenge showdown with Sami Zayn that spiraled into chaos thanks to Brock Lesnar’s explosive interference. In a career-defining shock, AJ Lee returned after more than a decade, rushing the ring to back CM Punk and lay waste to Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. These major developments overshadowed the rest of the show, which skated on average ice for the duration, with not even the women’s US title match drawing the slightest bit of excitement.
