WWE recently held the final episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Newark, New Jersey, leading up to SummerSlam 2025. The event took place at the Prudential Center on August 1st and featured exciting matches that thrilled the fans and set the stage for the upcoming big event at MetLife Stadium.
The SmackDown results for August 1, 2025, included Julia defeating Zelina Vega in a US Championship match, Ross Garza retaining the AAA World Tag Team Championship against Iguana and Psycho Piero, Aleister Black winning by disqualification over Damian Priest, and Tara Tonga beating Jimmy Uso in singles competition.
A notable moment was John Cena turning back to a babyface character with a heartfelt promo thanking Cody Rhodes for bringing out his true self. Cena expressed his desire to leave WWE as a beloved champion rather than tarnishing the sport, signaling a positive shift ahead of SummerSlam.
The US Championship match between Julia and Zelina Vega was a standout, widely regarded as one of the best women’s matches for the title to date. Their well-paced, competitive bout showcased Julia’s dominance and skill, potentially marking a new era for the women’s US title.
Iguana and Psycho Piero made their SmackDown debut responding to an open challenge for the AAA World Tag Team Championship. Though the match had a few flaws, it was a fun crossover highlight and well-received by fans in Newark, indicating promising future collaborations.
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre displayed great chemistry as heel allies, delivering entertaining promos and engaging in a heated brawl with Jelly Roll and Randy Orton. The intense rivalry kept fans hooked and ended the night with a strong, impactful confrontation.
Fan Take: This SmackDown episode was crucial as it rekindled John Cena’s fan-favorite persona and set up compelling storylines heading into SummerSlam. For WWE fans, these developments promise thrilling matches and emotional payoffs, potentially elevating the sport’s entertainment value.
