Results
- Alexa Bliss def. Chelsea Green (8:39)
- Michin def. Kiana James (0:07)
- Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford def. The Miz & Carmelo Hayes (WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match) (9:06)
- Sami Zayn def. Solo Sikoa (WWE United States Championship) (12:26)
John Cena delivers verbal takedown of Logan Paul ahead of Clash In Paris bout
This week’s episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown, a go-home episode before Clash In Paris, took place from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, a short trip over from where Sunday’s Premium Live Event (PLE) will take place.
Before we got to any of the action, the show started with a recap of last week’s back-and-forth between John Cena and Logan Paul, who will face off this weekend. For those who missed it: Cena dissected Paul’s attitude during their confrontation in the ring. Later that night, attempting to send a message backstage, Paul dropped Cena with a right hand.
We went to a shot outside of the arena, where arriving for this week’s episode of Smackdown was Paul himself. While Paul mocked that he couldn’t hear the Lyon crowd, they were certainly welcoming him with some heavy boos.
Paul grabbed a mic and got to work. He claimed the crowd doesn’t actually have a problem with him, but instead the idea of change. “I’m a disruptor,” he said. Like last week, the crowd started to chant “F*** you Logan,” causing the broadcast to start using the censor button liberally.
Paul started taking credit for WWE’s latest business moves: Scoring deals with Netflix, ESPN and Prime. “You’re welcome, TKO,” he said.
Paul’s brag-fest finally came to an end when John Cena’s theme hit. Donning new merch with France’s tricolor flag, he hit the ring to a huge ovation.
Cena started praising the fans, saying they “hold the keys” to whether or not Paul gets to have a lengthy career in pro wrestling. “When I look at you, I see so much potential,” Cena said, admitting that he wants to actually root for him. “[But] you won’t put one ounce of effort to try and understand what it is we actually do around here.”
Cena said he was the original disruptor 20 years ago. “Logan Paul, that is your first lesson in basic Thuganomics, and it’s the Maverick, Logan Paul is nothing more than a dollar store John Cena.”
Cena mentioned Rolling Stone’s recently published “25 Most Influential Creators of 2025” list, saying that Paul wasn’t listed. “At 30 years old, when you make the front page, it is for the wrong reasons,” Cena said.
Cena’s promo, scathing just like his last one, said the fans see through the fake. Then, in an example of how to be respectful, Cena went to ringside. Sitting in the crowd was a child who went viral earlier this year during one of Cena’s heel promos. Cena apologized to the child, then thanked him for being there for him when he had a bad day.
Attention shifted back to Paul. “You asked for this match, and you’d better polish your game,” Cena said. “You got 24 hours [48 actually] to whip yourself into the best they’ve ever seen. Because if, after Sunday, they still don’t think you’re worthy, you will not save wrestling. Hell, you will not even ruin wrestling. Wrestling will ruin you.”
Mic drop. Cena went back to that child one more time and said something to him as he made his way toward the stage.
Backstage, the Street Profits were interviewed about their #1 contenders match tonight against Melo Don’t Miz. Their promo was interrupted by Uncle Howdy, who questioned if they’re a real family, like he says the Wyatt Sicks are.
Pre-match attack causes last-minute change to lineup, Alexa Bliss gets by Chelsea Green in singles action
The first match of the night was expected to see WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss put their belts on the line against the duo of Alba Fyre and Chelsea Green. Green and her Secret Hervice member, Fyre, got a jump on the champs, attacking them in the entranceway before the show went to a break.
Once the show returned, some plans were changed: Flair was taken out of action due to the attack sustained by Green and Fyre, being helped to the back with a knee issue. Taking the place of a tag title bout would be, a matchup between Green and Bliss. This was a second change for the matchup, as we had also previously expected Piper Niven to be in action tonight, before she was not medically cleared to compete.
Green had a strong start to the matchup, continuing to control the fight through a commercial break. Bliss started to mount a comeback as they went to ringside, getting herself a breather after sending Green into a barricade.
Both women just barely avoided a count-out call from the referee. Bliss continued to gain momentum in the ring, scoring a pair of shoulder tackles and then a dropkick. Bliss scored a dropkick to Green while she was draped upside-down in the corner. A top-rope move was delayed by Fyre, who got onto the ring apron briefly.
This delay allowed Green to put her knees up and counter a Twisted Bliss from the top. The two had a quick series of counters, both trying their finishers during the sequence. The battle suddenly came to an end as Bliss caught Green with a roll-up pin, earning her a three-count at eight and a half minutes.
Salty due to the result, Fyre and Green had a two-on-one attack in the post-match. A banged-up Flair limped her way down to the ring to try and even the odds. Unfortunately, due to her injury, she was unable to make an adequate save. Green gave Flair an Unpretty-Her, then Fyre scored a facebuster to Bliss as the segment came to an end.
Sami Zayn was asked backstage about his thoughts on the U.S. title match against Solo Sikoa later in the night. Zayn felt confident about his move to Smackdown and mentioned his enthusiasm about performing in front of France this evening.
WWE congratulated Brandi and Cody Rhodes for welcoming their second child.
A vignette aired from Aleister Black, sending a warning shot to Damian Priest. The broadcast immediately had a reaction backstage from Priest, who said that he’s going to teach Black “a lot about pain.”
Michin makes quick work of Kiana James, eyes title shot against Giulia
The next matchup of the night saw Michin face off against Giulia’s manager, Kiana James. The idea was that, if Michin could get past James, she would earn a shot against Giulia for the women’s U.S. title.
This was notably James’ first match since appearing on Smackdown alongside Giulia in recent weeks. Her last main brand TV bout (excluding appearances on Main Event) was a bout in June 2024 ahead of Money In The Bank. Although, it didn’t end up being much of a match, truth be told.
So, this was a fast one. James tried to strike Michin with her briefcase, which she dodged. Michin then went for a roll-up pin, winning in seven seconds. Much quicker than their recent Main Event bout, which went nine minutes.
Giulia wanted to send a message afterward, attacking Michin all around the ring in the post-match. The attack ended with a brutal face-first move onto the steel stairs. Looks like we’re getting that title bout soon.
Simply put, Randy Orton doesn’t like Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre came out for the next segment to a huge ovation from the French crowd. He put his focus on Randy Orton, calling him out and saying he just wants to talk.
Orton answered McIntyre’s call, giving the crowd a chance to sing along with his legendary theme as he made his way out. Once everybody got settled, McIntyre said he’s not okay with getting attacked by Orton last week if it was motivated by wanting to defend Cody Rhodes.
“If you believe Cody Rhodes is your friend, you’re an idiot,” McIntyre said.
Orton said what he did last week wasn’t for Rhodes. “I dropped you last week, Drew, because I think you’re a prick.”
McIntyre’s response was a headbutt. The talking was over: McIntyre tried to follow up the headbutt with a Claymore Kick, but Orton dodged the move. The fight went over to the ropes, where Orton scored his classic draping DDT. He started to call for an RKO, but it was at this point that security got in between the two.
Orton couldn’t get his hands on McIntyre, but he wasn’t going to leave without RKO’ing at least one or two security guards. He finally took out Hurricane Helms, who was in a suit. With the ring cleared, Orton tried for a punt. McIntyre wisely rolled out of the ring, ending the face-off.
After the break, Orton was seen gifting Nick Aldis a bottle of Fireball, claiming it’s the “Best Whisky in America.” R-Truth asked if Aldis is going to drink it. “After the day I’ve had? Yes.”
Backstage, Carmelo Hayes confronted The Miz about stealing his spotlight in matches. Miz pushed back against the complaint, noting that they’re winning, so it shouldn’t matter. “We have lightning in a bottle and you just want to throw it all out!” Miz said.
Uncle Howdy walked in and interrupted this exchange, just like he did with Street Profits earlier.
The Street Profits book title fight for Clash In Paris
The co-main event of the night saw The Street Profits and Melo Don’t Miz battle it out for a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships, which are held by the Wyatt Sicks. It was confirmed by the commentary team that the title bout that emerges from this matchup will go down Sunday at Clash In Paris.
Angelo Dawkins hit a Cristiano Ronaldo “SIU” during an exchange early in the match. Miz was able to hold Dawkins at ringside briefly, allowing Carmelo Hayes to come off the ropes with a draping springboard legdrop just before the show went to a break.
Dawkins remained in the match through the break, setting up for a hot tag to Montez Ford as the show returned. Ford had a solid run of moves against The Miz, coming off the top rope with a huge crossbody dive, scoring a clothesline, then a back suplex. He earned a two-count after picking up a standing moonsault.
Miz was able to get back into the fight with a Dirty Deeds, getting him a near fall as well. He tried for a Skull-Crushing Finale, but Ford was able to escape the move. As this happened, Hayes sneakily tagged back into the match.
Ford, likely unaware of the tag and still going after Miz, came off the top rope with a frogsplash. Hayes followed up with a frogsplash of his own onto Hayes. This was a snazzy sequence, but it wasn’t enough to put away Ford.
Hayes came flying off the ropes with a move, but Ford countered with a flying knee. As we were seemingly building to tags to Dawkins and Miz, The Wyatt Sicks appeared at ringside. Distracted by the visitors, Miz got taken off the ring apron with a forearm from Dawkins, who got tagged back into the bout.
With Miz down and out, the Street Profits scored their Revelation double-team finisher onto Hayes to win in nine minutes. Dawkins and Ford will challenge for Smackdown’s tag titles in just 48 hours. The Street Profits faced off with The Wyatts afterward.
In a backstage confrontation, Jade Cargill informed Tiffany Stratton that she’s officially the #1 contender for the title.
Just minutes ahead of his title match against Sami Zayn, Solo Sikoa was seen saying all it will take to retain his title is one Samoan Spike.
Sami Zayn dethrones Solo Sikoa, begins first-ever U.S. title reign
The main event of the night saw Sami Zayn attempt to earn his first title in over a year, facing off against WWE United States Champion Solo Sikoa. This was a matchup given to Zayn after winning a non-title bout against Sikoa earlier this month on an episode of Smackdown.
The show went to a break for the opening few minutes of the bout, where Sikoa gained a solid lead against the challenger. His dominance continued as the show came back, getting a two-count from a hip attack in the corner.
Zayn got back into the match, sending Sikoa out of the ring then delivering a dive to the outside. The numbers game came into play at this point, as Sikoa’s MFTs were able to briefly get their hands on Zayn as the referee was looking away.
Sikoa scored a Spinning Solo back in the ring, but Zayn was able to kick out. Attempting to take the MFTs out of the picture, Jimmy Uso emerged at ringside. Uso wasn’t enough backup, but things changed once Jacob Fatu emerged from the crowd, targeting the towering Talla Tonga.
Fatu and Uso’s brawl distracted Sikoa, allowing Zayn to get another near fall with a Blue Thunder Bomb. All the ringside names brawled into the crowd, taking them out of the equation for the remainder of the match.
Sikoa rolled out of the ring to avoid a Helluva Kick. Zayn followed Sikoa to ringside, where he ate a Spinning Solo onto the commentary table, leading into the show’s final break.
Zayn took a few more Spinning Solos onto the table during the break. The damage he took from these blows left him down for a prolonged period of time, although he was able to narrowly beat a count-out.
The title match went onto a top turnbuckle as the show returned. Sikoa tried for a Samoan Drop off the top, but Zayn instead scored a Sunset Flip Powerbomb out of the corner for a near fall.
Zayn returned to the top, but Sikoa was able to avoid his top-rope move. Sikoa connected with a Samoan Drop, then came off the top with a frogsplash, although Zayn was able to kick out at two afterward.
Sikoa called for the Samoan Spike, but Zayn was able to reverse the move into a roll-up pin attempt. Sikoa escaped the pin, but ate an exploder suplex into the corner turnbuckles immediately after.
Zayn tried again for a Helluva kick, but Sikoa instead scored a thrust kick to the head. He tried for a Samoan Spike, but Zayn dodged it. Zayn followed an off-balance Sikoa into the corner with a Helluva Kick. He landed another Helluva Kick for good measure. Zayn went for the pin, and was successful!
Sami Zayn is your new WWE United States Champion. Commentary noted that, while Zayn has held so many different titles in the WWE, this kicked off his first-ever run with the U.S. championship. Zayn celebrated with a loud French crowd as the show went off air.
