Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown (September 5, 2025) emanates out of the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois and will air at 8 p.m. ET on the USA Network.
This post here will be updated frequently throughout the night to reflect live coverage of Friday Night SmackDown, including all the match results, rundowns of the promos, and any other interesting or noteworthy things that takes place. Keep refreshing for updates to find out all the winners and more!
Preview & Predictions for WWE SmackDown:
On tap for tonight's episode, WWE has yet to advertise a single match as of the time of this publication. This is one of those editions where they are wholeheartedly banking on people just being interested in seeing John Cena and CM Punk, primarily, with the tease that some other people could potentially appear. Credit where it's due, a lot of viewers are falling for that and are totally hooked on the idea of being hyped up that Brock Lesnar and/or AJ Lee will be appearing.
It's all about appearances tonight. Even those advertisements are as vague and generic as possible, not commiting to anything at all. John Cena "makes his final Chicago appearance", Sami Zayn "returns to SmackDown as the new United States champion" and CM Punk "returns to SmackDown in Chicago." They all just return. Even Sami Zayn, who has been on SmackDown for weeks, somehow "returns" to SmackDown.
Obviously, there's nothing to predict here. Punk will cut a promo and possibly be booked in a match if someone else comes out to fight with him. Zayn will do the same. Cena isn't going to wrestle, most likely, and if he does get involved in any kind of physicality, it's entirely likely it's just that he gets wrecked by The Beast Incarnate to help set up their match at Wrestlepalooza (which hasn't been confirmed yet, but it should be assumed)
What also should be assumed is the continuation of the story of Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton / Cody Rhodes, more on Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill, Michin's quest to get a Women's United States Championship match and more.
All that and more will go down tonight, so keep checking and refreshing for the most up-to-date results!
Here are your results for WWE SmackDown - September 5, 2025:
- John Cena opened the show with a promo, thanking the Chicago crowd. Sami Zayn came out and talked about how he had made his debut on the main roster in a United States Championship Open Challenge match against Cena, so he'd like to extend him the same offer. John Cena vs. Sami Zayn ended in a no-contest when Brock Lesnar took out the referee, Zayn, and Cena.
- Backstage, Carmelo Hayes was trying to talk to Nick Aldis about getting a US title shot when The Miz interrupted to ask for Melo Don't Miz to get a tag title opportunity instead. Aldis said he would take it into consideration, and Melo is upset again at Miz for stepping on his toes.
- Aleister Black defeated Damian Priest by pinfall.
- Backstage, Tiffany Stratton talked to Cathy Kelley about how she'll defend her women's title against Jade Cargill next week. Cargill was then watching that on a monitor and Nia Jax came over to gloat about how she's going to lose.
- Giulia retained the Women's United States Championship over Michin by pinfall.
- Alexa Bliss checked up on Charlotte Flair, who has yet to be cleared to compete. They'll get their revenge on The Green Regime another day.
- AJ Lee made her return to fight with Becky Lynch in a promo segment to end the show, ending the episode in the ring embracing her husband, CM Punk, while Lynch and Seth Rollins retreated to the back.
What are your thoughts on tonight's episode of Friday Night SmackDown? Drop your reactions in the comments below and spark a discussion!