WWE SmackDown Results: AJ Lee returns, Brock lays out Cena

September 5, 2025 John Kleinchester NEWS, RECOMMENDED, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

September 5, 2025
Allstate Arena – Rosemont, IL

By: John Kleinchester

WWE SmackDown Live Results

  • United States Championship: Sami Zayn / John Cena – No Contest
  • Aleister Black over Damian Priest via Black Mass in 9:37
  • Women’s United States Championship: Giulia over Michin via Arrivederci in 7:35

 

John Cena Wants to Have Fun

SmackDown from the Chicagoland area kicked off with Michael Cole and Corey Graves as the announce team, with Cole noting that they’ll be the SmackDown announcers for “the next couple of months”. This is possibly due to Joe Tessitore’s commitments to college football, but it remained unclear.

Highlights were shown of Clash in Paris, and then John Cena came out for his final appearance in Chicago and last time on SmackDown. Cena thanked the crowd and said he had nothing planned for tonight, and he just wanted to have fun. He noted that it was twenty-three years ago in Chicago, where he had slapped Kurt Angle and launched his career. Cena was about to leave when Sami Zayn interrupted, getting boos from the crowd. 

Zayn pointed out that he made his debut against John Cena for the United States Championship, and now he is the U.S. Champion. Zayn asked Cena for his permission to continue the tradition of the U.S. Open Challenge. Then, Sami suggested Cena as his first opponent, to which Cena agreed.

United States Championship

Thus began John Cena’s final SmackDown match as he challenged Sami Zayn for the United States title. Unfortunately, the match started during the ad break and was underway as the show returned. Four and a half minutes went by when the show went back into a commercial. As it returned yet again, Zayn kicked out of an AA, much to the dismay of the Chicago crowd.

Cena had a handful more near falls, including after an Olympic Slam, and the show went to a third commercial break. During the break, Cena applied Kurt Angle’s Ankle Lock, followed by the STFU to Zayn. Zayn countered with an AA of his own for a two-count. Cena then hit another AA on Zayn, but he kicked out (again, all of this happening during break). Finally, the show was back, and Zayn hit the Helluva Kick for another two count. 

Cena then hit Zayn with a GTS in a clear ode to CM Punk, followed by a Roman Reigns-esque spear, both for two. The crowd chanted for an RKO, and Cena attempted one, but Zayn countered. Cena then hit an avalanche AA off the second rope, but couldn’t capitalize. That’s when Brock Lesnar’s music hit, taking out the referee first, then hitting F5s on Zayn and Cena before leaving. The show then went to a commercial break, and no bell ever rang. The match lasted around 27 minutes, but it is impossible to say for sure, as it started during an ad and ended without a clear conclusion. The entire segment, including the promo beforehand, was almost 50 minutes long.

Backstage, Nick Aldis was approached by Miz & Melo asking for a tag title shot. The two started arguing when a limo pulled up and Becky Lynch got out. 

Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black

Before this match, an Aleister Black promo package aired in which he stated that Priest follows the rules, but he doesn’t. Black proved that immediately by attacking Priest before he finished his entrance. Corey Graves said that this match might not even get started, and the show went to commercial. Upon return, Black continued his assault as the referee finally rang the bell despite Priest stumbling around the ring. The match went on for less than two minutes, and we were back into an ad break. After that, Priest hit a Razor’s Edge on Black onto the announce table. Black then shoved the referee into Priest and hit him with the Black Mass for the win. 

After the commercial, a promo package featuring Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre aired, sponsored by a popular hard iced tea brand. It was announced that the two would face each other next week in Norfolk, VA. Brock Lesnar was also advertised for next week, as well as the title match between Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill. Stratton was then interviewed backstage, where she stated that she would beat Jade next week. Jade was then approached by Nia Jax elsewhere backstage, and the two got into each other’s faces. 

Nick Aldis approached Becky Lynch backstage and said that he can’t have any more issues tonight. 

Women’s United States Championship

Next was the second United States Championship match of the evening, with champion Giulia defending against Michin. The two went back and forth for a while before Kiana James attempted to get involved, distracting Michin. Giulia took advantage and hit Michin with her Arrivederci running knee. Afterwards, James nailed Michin with her bag. 

Backstage, Charlotte Flair wanted revenge on Chelsea Green, but Alexa Bliss said she needed to rest up and get cleared. 

 

CM Punk Back in Chicago

Seth Rollins then appeared in the crowd as Michael Cole exclaimed, “NOW WHAT?”. Rollins cut a promo from the crowd, saying that the legend of CM Punk dies tonight, and then introduced Becky Lynch. The crowd chanted for AJ Lee, and Becky admonished the crowd for chanting someone else’s name while she was in the ring. Becky named a bunch of Chicago sports teams, saying they sucked (but conveniently left out the Bears, whom Rollins is a huge fan of). This brought out hometown hero CM Punk. 

Becky told the crowd to stop chanting “AJ Lee,” and Punk said they could chant “AJ Lee” if they wanted to. Punk then went through a list of women he could call to kick Becky’s ass, but she laughed them all off. Becky then slapped Punk a number of times, and Punk exited the ring.

This brought out the returning AJ Lee, who skipped around the ring before attacking Becky. CM Punk and AJ Lee embraced in the ring as the show ended. 

About John Kleinchester 277 Articles
John Kleinchester is a wrestling reporter from New Jersey, covering the sport since 2022. He is a graduate of Ithaca College and can be reached at jkleinchester@gmail.com.
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