John Cena To Reveal What’s Next, Solo Sikoa Storyline Update, Cody Rhodes

Written by Marc Middleton • Published Aug 08, 2025 18:07 EDT
John Cena leaves WWE SummerSlam, Nick Aldis on WWE SmackDown

WWE will continue with SummerSlam fallout in just a few hours as Nick Aldis brings the blue brand roster to Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With showtime approaching, new details have been revealed on confirmed plans, and what may go down on the road to Clash In Paris.

John Cena has been announced for tonight’s live SmackDown, and he will be opening the show. The SmackDown General Manager noted on X that Cena requested time to address SummerSlam and what happened with Brock Lesnar, and that request has been granted.

The Beast has not been announced for SmackDown as of now. Regarding the planned Cena vs. Lesnar feud, it was noted by The Wrestling Observer that the match could come as soon as the Clash In Paris PLE on August 31. Cena, if not Aldis, will likely announce some sort of update on the Lesnar match during tonight’s show.

Cody Rhodes Returning To WWE SmackDown After Defeating John Cena

Cody Rhodes will be appearing on WWE SmackDown in Montreal. Nick Aldis took to X today to confirm the new WWE Champion for tonight’s episode, but it remains to be seen what he will be doing.

The SmackDown GM also announced a first-time-ever tag team bout for tonight. The Motor City Machine Guns will take on Talla Tonga and JC Mateo of The MFTs. It’s interesting that WWE noted in the official SmackDown preview that United States Champion Solo Sikoa “seems sure to be watching this match closely,” and it was teased that tonight’s winner will earn a future shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship.

Aldis promised a huge night, and so much more. The veteran provided the updates in a backstage video from Bell Centre in Montreal.

“Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs. It’s your SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, and we are set for a huge night here in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It’s the first SmackDown following a monumental SummerSlam, and if you watched SummerSlam, you know that some pretty major events took place on that night over that weekend, not the least of which being that we have a new WWE Champion, and that man will be in the house tonight: The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, the WWE Champion… the new WWE Champion will be here tonight on SmackDown, and the man he defeated, John Cena. The Never-Seen-17, he will also be in the house. He has requested some time, which I have granted to John to address the occurrences that took place following the match at SummerSlam, where he was attacked by the returning Brock Lesnar. So, it’s a huge night, and on top of that, The Motor City Machine Guns will take on The MFTs… all that, and so much more live tonight, 8pm ET/7pm CT on USA and around the world on Netflix,” Nick Aldis said.