Smackdown Review

Chicago, IL: All State Arena

05th September 2025 Attendance: 16,678

John Cena’s Final Smackdown Appearance

Winner Stays On… SmackDown Announcers!!!

• The Miz & Carmelo backstage interaction with Nick Aldis; Becky Lynch arrives at Smackdown. You know you’ve made it when you get a limo arena arrival, right?

• Aleister Black vs.. Damien Priest

• 2 phenomenal talents. Told a great story thoughout this segment. How do today’s stars elevate themselves to become A+ Talent like a Cena / Lesnar / Punk / Reigns / Rollins?
• Personal feeling is that Black has “IT” and with his dark persona could very easily slot into a rivalry with a top star, like a CM Punk, Cody Rhodes. Discuss…
• Priest: Better as a Babyface or a Heel? Would he benefit from having a mouthpiece? Importance of Managers in Professional Wrestling…
• Would Black benefit from fronting a faction in WWE as he did in AEW?

AAA Worlds Collide Commercial

• Has WWE turned a Mexican institution into just another brand?

Randy Orton / Drew McIntyre Promo

• Always bringing outs the best in each other, next week’s showdown of these 2 Alphas, has stirred my interest, in what should be an epic encounter to continue their story.

Tiffany Stratton Interview / Jade & Nia Jax Confrontation / Becky Lynch & Nick Aldis Interaction

• A perfect example of pulling the trigger at the right time. Tiffany looks like a star, with a very viable threat from Jade. Would Jade make a better dominant heel at this stage of her WWE Journey?

WWE Women’s United States Title Match:

• Giulia vs. Michin

• As

Charlotte Flair / Alexa Bliss Trainers Room Vignette

• It’s… something?!

Seth Rollins / Becky Lynch / CM Punk / AJ Lee - Final Segment

• AJ LEE RETURNS after 10 year absence
• This show close just made me want more.
• Excellent, definitive role alignments for the babyfaces and heels, both played to perfection. Chickenshit bullies, home town favourites.
• Was this the perfect was to reintroduce AJ to a new viewing audience? The WWE’s PLE debut on ESPN is shaping up to be a monumental, can’t miss event. Firing on all cylinders…

Meltdown Mailbag

• Fallon Robinson in Winter Garden, FL

“You get to pick your own opponent to slot into a 3 Month programme with. Which current star would you choose as your rival?