WWE SmackDown featured John Cena face-to-face with Cody Rhodes.
It was SmackDown at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The SmackDown commentary team was Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. Mark Nash was the ring announcer.
John Cena’s music hit as the crowd went wild for the Undisputed WWE Champion. The fans sang “John Cena sucks” as Cena made his slow walking entrance, holding his “The Last Time Is Now” towel in his hands. There were loud “Let’s Go Cena/Cena Sucks” chants. Mark Nash did the special introduction for Cena calling him the greatest of all time, the never seen 17, gracing Newark with his presence one final time, he is the last real champion…John Cena. A mix of boos and cheers after that. Cody Rhodes made his entrance before Cena said a word.
Cena said that he told Cody he was exhausted and that a match at SummerSlam would be too difficult for him. Cena recapped that Cody didn’t listen, assaulted Cena, forced his signature and now they’ll have a dangerous match on a grand stage for the biggest championship. Cena said that he only has one thing left to say to Cody: “Thank you.” Cena said that was just the boot in the ass he needed. Cena said that for 25 years, he has forged a reputation on hard work, honesty and respect. Cena said that five months ago he flushed it down the toilet to make shocking TV. Cena said that, then the dust settles, then everybody goes back to their normal lives, and the people who were supposed to be on his team left. Cena said that they left him alone as he tried to pretend to be something he is not. Cena said he wants to leave here with the WWE Title. Cena said that after his last match, he wants to take the WWE Title with him, but it’s not because he wants to hates wrestling. Cena said you know he loves wrestling. Cena said he wants to take this home with him so that after he’s gone, you guys don’t forget about him. Cena said that he was so hung up with how you see him tomorrow with how stupid he’s acting today. Cena said that Cody tried to tell him and he didn’t listen. Cena said that Cody did what a good friend forced him to do, so you forced Cena into a fight. Cena said it’s not a match, it’s a fight. Cena said it will force Cena to be what he really is. Cena said if he doesn’t show up for war then he shouldn’t show up at all.
Cena said that tonight, on August 1st, is the day that John Cena came back to WWE. The fans cheered and chanted “Cena” for him. Cena said he doesn’t know who leaves with this title on Sunday, but he knows the fans wins. Cena said that he is finally over his own BS. Cena said that we’ll get to see Cody Rhodes against the greatest of all time at his best. Cena said that he has something to prove. Cena said that this is a Street Fight with no rules and it’s a match that Cody wanted, so if you want some, come get some. Cena said that on Sunday, the only platinum rapper showing up to whip your ass is Cena. Cena: “The Champ Is Here!” The fans were going wild and cheering heavily for Cena, who posed with the WWE Title.
Cody Rhodes: “Welcome back, John Cena.” Cody was handed two beer cans (Real American Beer, I think) and they shook hands. They drank some beer together. Wade: “What the hell just happened?” Cody left while Cena stood tall in the ring and the fans chanted “Cena” again. Cena posed with the WWE Title again as Cena’s music played. Cena hugged his wife at ringside, and left.
WE ARE SO BACK!!!
Thank YOU, @JohnCena! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HDBrf4LrrZ
— WWE (@WWE) August 2, 2025
A clip was shown earlier in the day of Jelly Roll at a training session in the ring. Randy Orton wasn’t there. Logan Paul showed up and trash talked Jelly, so Jelly dared Logan to fight him. Drew McIntyre attacked Jelly from behind to knock him down. Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Jelly to knock him down. WWE Producer Shawn Daivari and some unknown wrestlers got Drew and Logan to leave.
Match #1: Women’s US Championship – Giulia (w/Kiana James) defeated Zelina Vega by pinfall. Giulia tried a move off the turnbuckle, but Vega countered and hit a German Suplex off the turnbuckle for two. The fans got into it now with a “This is awesome” chant. They went back to the turnbuckle where Giulia hit a Butterfly Suplex off the top. Giulia hit the knee smash to the face. Giulia hit a Northern Lights Bomb for two. That was a surprise since it is Giulia’s finisher. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” again. Vega countered Giulia and got a rollup for two. Vega hit a Backstabber to the back. Vega went for a moonsault, but Giulia got the knees up to block. Giulia hit the Northern Lights Bomb for the pinfall win after 12 minutes.
Solo Sikoa was interviewed by Cathy Kelley while Solo had his MFT’s with him. Cathy mentioned there’s a Steel Cage above the ring and Solo said he had nothing to do with that. Solo talked about Jimmy Uso will be taken out by Talla Tonga. Solo mocked a Jacob Fatu phrase “Yaddadamean” and left.
Santos Escobar did a promo in the ring, telling the fans to respect Los Garza as the AAA World Tag Team Champions. Santos said if you want to be lucha libre royalty, all you gotta do is face Los Garza for these titles right now. The “lovable lizard” Mr. Iguana made his entrance with Psycho Clown. These are AAA guys and we saw them at the recent Worlds Collide show. The fans popped initially and there were “Iguana” chants.
Match #2: AAA World Tag Team Championships – Los Garza – Angel & Berto (w/Santos Escobar) defeated Mr. Iguana & Psycho Clown by pinfall. Berto and Angel threw Iguana into Clown to stop a dive. Berto hit a springboard kick on Clown. Los Garza stood on the middle rope and did a super body slam on Iguana for a two count. Clown tagged in against Angel. Berto dropkicked Clown and Clown hit a cross body block on Angel. Los Garza hit their MTY spinning slam, and Berto covered Clown for the pinfall win.
Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul were walking backstage when Cathy Kelley tried to do an interview. Logan said he had nothing to say. Drew said they’ll say it to the world later tonight.
A video package aired promoting the six-team TLC Tag Team Match at SummerSlam for the WWE Tag Team Titles. They showed clips of each the teams: The Street Profits, Fraxiom, #DIY, Andrade & Rey Fenix, Motor City Machine Guns and the WWE Tag Team Champions, the Wyatt Sicks team of Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis.
Match #3: Damian Priest defeated Aleister Black by disqualification. Black bailed to the floor, Priest ran at him, and Black hit a jumping knee smash. Black jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault, Priest avoided it and Priest hit a shoulder tackle to send Black over the commentary table. Priest cleared off the commentary table. Black threw a chair at Priest’s head to end the match. It’s a DQ.
After the match, Black attacked Priest with strikes, and Black hit Priest in the back with a steel chair. Black used the chair to jab Priest in the throat. Black sent the back of Priest’s head into the steel steps three times. Black to Priest brought this on himself and Black hit a Black Mass kick on Priest on the floor. The referee, Daphanie LaShaunn, called for help for Priest.
Tiffany Stratton was shown walking backstage with the WWE Women’s Championship. Jade Cargill walked up to Tiffany, saying she didn’t need Stratton’s help last week. Stratton talked about how she’ll beat Jade at SummerSlam. Jade said there are no cash-ins and nothing in her way, so she’ll finish what she started by winning the WWE Women’s Title. Jade left.
They showed images of WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, at the White House talking to President Donald Trump and others about some commitment to youth fitness in the US.
Match #4: Talla Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa) defeated Jimmy Uso. This was Talla’s debut WWE TV match. Jimmy superkicked brother Solo on the apron. Jimmy hit another superkick on Talla. Jimmy hit a Spear on Talla. Jimmy jumped off the top with a splash, but Talla grabbed him and Talla hit a Chokeslam for the pinfall win.
Solo Sikoa called for JC Mateo and Tonga Loa to come down to the ring. Solo called for the Steel Cage to be lowered, so it was as the MFT’s beat up Jimmy. The cage was lowered, but Jacob Fatu made his entrance to make the save. The cage was lowered while Fatu was in the ring with the MFTs. Solo opened the door and bailed out. Talla left as well. Fatu beat up JC and Loa with superkicks. Fatu threw JC and Loa into the steel cage. Fatu hit a Samoan Drop on Loa. There were loud “Fatu” chants. Fatu hit a running hip attack on JC and a running hip attack on Loa, too. Fatu hit a Mighty Moonsault onto JC that barely touched him. Fatu hit a Mighty Moonsault onto Loa, too. Fatu had a staredown with Solo, who said that the US Title belongs to him.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Flair was wearing a “We’re Not Friends” shirt. Flair said that she didn’t expect to team up with Lexi this year, but she has had Flair’s back and Flair respects Bliss, even if she’s super annoying. Bliss wondered if that was a compliment. Bliss said that Flair hasn’t been half bad and she’s had her back. Kelley said it sounds like friendship to her. Bliss said that Flair doesn’t like using the “F” word. Flair said let’s just focus on winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
What Happened In The WWE SmackDown Main Event?
The heel tag team duo of Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre made their entrance for some promo time. They were booed heavily. Logan told Green Shirt Guy to shut up because he’s the worst of them all. That was funny! Paul said that they are two of the best wrestlers in the industry and they are trying to defend this place from outsiders. Paul said that you don’t understand what it means to compete at SummerSlam, which Jelly Roll thought was a hot dog eating contest. Paul said that they have dedicated their lives to this. Paul said these outsiders think WWE is a stepping stone. Paul said that it is basically impossible unless you are Logan Paul, which he happens to be. Paul told Jelly Roll he’s an outsider and not a wrestler. Paul said that Jelly will learn he’s a country star, not a superstar and he’ll never belong here.
Drew said whatever happens to Smelly Hole is on Randy. Drew said that Jelly has a song about how you only talk to God when you need a favor. Drew said that when he prays, bad things happen. Paul made comments mocking Jelly Roll for being arrested in the past.
Jelly Roll was shown arriving in a truck. He smacked the hood and Randy Orton was there driving the car. Orton and Jelly made their way down to the ring.
Randy Orton and Jelly Roll walked toward the ring while SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was there to try to stop them, but that didn’t work. Orton and Jelly went into the ring as Orton threw punches at Drew while Jelly fought with Paul and Jelly punched Paul several times. There were about a dozen security guys that went into the ring, and Orton decked Paul with a punch to knock Paul out of the ring. Orton punched Drew and knocked him out of the ring. The heels were on the floor, where they were kept away from Orton and Jelly in the ring. Orton teased like he was calm, but Orton dropped two security guys with the RKO. Orton looked at Jelly, so Jelly hit a Chokeslam on a short security guy. Jelly and Orton celebrated while Orton’s music played. The two teams had a staredown to end the show.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading.