The primary episode of Friday Evening SmackDown, following a really headline-worthy historic two-night SummerSlam premium reside occasion, occurred within the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and it was a notable present with moments that followers cherished. WWE started their construct to the Conflict in Paris 2025 PLE, and it featured a complete host of massive names together with John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and extra. The next are among the largest standout moments from the August 8 episode that deserve point out, although it should be mentioned that they largely revolve round the principle occasion scene.
‘Babyface John Cena’ Is The Finest Model Of John Cena
Cena reduce an excellent babyface promo on SmackDown.
Logan Paul vs. John Cena was made official.
Cody Rhodes saved Cena from a beatdown by Paul and Drew McIntyre.
John Cena opened up Friday Evening SmackDown, allotting an emotional, rallying, tacky, and entertaining babyface promo. After months of seeing a soulless heel model of Cena on TV, unlocking one of the best model of Cena has been joyous to see. He had a fantastic speech on SmackDown, speaking about his worry of being forgotten, his worry of Brock Lesnar, however his unwillingness to ever again down.
Logan Paul interrupted Cena, difficult him to a match at Conflict in Paris 2025, which was accepted. This shall be a first-time-ever large match that’s positive to create headlines. Cena has an additional spring in his step, as confirmed by his show-stealing efficiency at SummerSlam 2025 Sunday, now that he has shed his heelish facet. The Canadian followers got a deal with as a significant tag workforce principal occasion was additionally arrange as Paul and Drew McIntyre attacked Cena, just for Cody Rhodes to make the save. Later within the present, John Cena additionally got here face-to-face with R-Reality. Cena being himself once more snapped Reality out of this extra unhinged persona he’d developed, additionally returning to his former and extra loveable self.
Sami Zayn Has A Hometown Win Over Solo Sikoa
The MFTs need extra gold and are concentrating on the Wyatt Sicks.
Sami Zayn arrived to tackle Sikoa in his hometown.
Zayn scored the win through a roll-up.
Solo Sikoa and his MFT faction emerged on SmackDown to problem a celebratory promo after efficiently defending the USA Championship over Jacob Fatu at SummerSlam 2025. He issued his group’s intention to be WWE Tag Crew Champions, including one other workforce to a powerful division who confirmed out in a significant TLC match at SummerSlam.
SmackDown Common Supervisor Nick Aldis would then deliver out hometown hero Sami Zayn, a lot to the enjoyment of the Montreal crowd. Zayn would then defeat Sikoa in singles motion, maybe thrusting himself into title competition.
John Cena & Cody Rhodes Crew Up In The Primary Occasion
WWE booked an all-star principal occasion on SmackDown.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes confronted Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.
The match resulted in DQ however was nonetheless enjoyable.
The gang in Montreal had been handled to a giant time principal occasion of Friday Evening SmackDown – one thing the blue model has undoubtedly wanted for fairly a while. John Cena and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes firmly put their variations apart to workforce up towards new allies Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul, giving the followers in Montreal one ultimate John Cena match.
It resulted in a disqualification as Logan Paul gave a low blow to John Cena, with the 2 brawling to the again. Even with a irritating outcome, it was good to see some legit principal eventers and large names wrestling on SmackDown, and it was good to see Cena’s bouts not simply solely reserved for PLEs previous to his retirement in December.
Drew McIntyre Desires The WWE Championship & Destroys Cody Rhodes
McIntyre attacked Rhodes after the principle occasion on SmackDown.
He’s very clearly concentrating on the WWE Championship.
This feud is one of the best state of affairs for each people.
The primary occasion of SmackDown went off the rails, however the aftermath was very notable as Drew McIntyre nailed Cody Rhodes with the WWE Title belt, earlier than Claymore Kicking his soul away as Rhodes was despatched by the underside of the announce desk in a brutal trying spot.
It has been a very long time coming for McIntyre to re-enter the WWE Title image and to seem like a harmful heel as soon as once more, so seeing this growth was improbable for him. McIntyre vs. Rhodes is a powerful WWE Title feud that may final for months if booked proper, and a powerful option to kick off Rhodes’ reign.
