The debut episode of Friday Night SmackDown took place at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Quebec, Canada, following an impactful two-night SummerSlam event. The show set the stage for the upcoming 2025 Paris premium live event, featuring major stars such as John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, and Drew McIntyre. Below are some of the most notable highlights from the August 8 broadcast.
“Babyface John Cena” shines the brightest. Cena kicked off the show with a heartfelt and entertaining babyface promo, contrasting with his recent villainous persona. He shared his fears of being forgotten and confronting Brock Lesnar but emphasized his determination never to give up. Logan Paul challenged Cena to a match at the 2025 Paris event, which was officially confirmed. During the main tag team segment, Paul and Drew McIntyre attacked Cena, only for Cody Rhodes to come to his rescue. Later, Cena reunited with R-Truth, shedding his more arrogant alter ego to embrace his classic, beloved self.
Sami Zayn triumphed in his hometown against Solo Sikoa. Solo Sikoa and his MFT faction celebrated defending the US Championship successfully at SummerSlam. General manager Nick Aldis brought in hometown hero Sami Zayn, much to the crowd’s delight, and Zayn managed to secure a win over Sikoa, potentially positioning himself for a title shot.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes joined forces for the main event. The All-Star tag match saw Cena and Rhodes team up against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, thrilling the Montreal audience. Though the match ended in a disqualification after Paul hit Cena with a low blow, the contest was exciting and showcased some big-name wrestling on SmackDown. Cena’s involvement, booked exclusively for premium live events before his December retirement, added special significance.
Drew McIntyre targets the WWE Championship by attacking Cody Rhodes. After the main event, McIntyre turned on Rhodes with a vicious assault, including a Claymore Kick and a hit with the title belt. This move clearly marks McIntyre as a top contender for the WWE Championship and sets the stage for a compelling rivalry that could define both wrestlers’ futures.
Fan Take: This episode of SmackDown is a thrilling snapshot of WWE’s direction, blending beloved legends with rising stars and setting up intense rivalries. For fans, the return of “babyface” Cena and the brewing McIntyre-Rhodes feud promise captivating storylines that could elevate the sport to new levels in the coming months.
