Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for August 1, 2025

John Cena heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Before he can utter a word, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes shows up and heads to the ring. Cena tells Cody that he did not listen to him last week, assaulted him, forged his signature and forced him into one of the most dangerous matches in WWE on one of its biggest stages for its biggest championship, and for that, he says "Thank you." He says that this was "the boot in the ass" that he needed, as he has forged a legacy out of honestly, loyalty and respect, and that he flushed it down the toilet five months ago over someone's idea of "shock TV." He says that people on his team left and that they left him alone as he pretended to be something that he was not, then states that he wants to leave with the WWE Championship and take it home with him, not to ruin wrestling, but to not be forgotten. Cena says he was so hung up on how he would be seen tomorrow that he did not focus on how he acted today, and that Cody "did what a good friend should do" when he forced him into a fight. He says that this will be brutal and force him to be who he really is, and if he cannot suit up for war, he should not suit up for all, and declares that this is the day that he came back to WWE. Cena admits he does not know who will leave with the WWE Championship, but he knows the fans will win, because he is finally over his own B.S. because Cody gets to face him at his best in a match that he wanted. After telling Cody that he will be the only Platinum-winning rapper whipping his ass, Cena declares that "The champ is here!" to extreme fanfare from the fans. Cody asks for two beers from the timekeeper's table, then says "Welcome back, John Cena" before the two shake hands and have a beer together.

In backstage footage from earlier today, Logan Paul mocks Jelly Roll as he is practicing in a ring. Jelly Roll immediately challenging Logan Paul to a fight, and both men brawl. Drew McIntyre shows up in time for Logan Paul to hold Jelly Roll down for a Claymore Kick.

"The Rainmaker" actor PJ Byrne is seen in the crowd.

Giulia retains the WWE Women's United States Championship against Zelina Vega.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Solo Sikoa, Tala Tonga, Tama Tonga and JC Mateo. Solo Sikoa says he is only worried about his championship and his family, then says Jimmy Uso will get a big boot to his big mouth from Tala Tonga, as tonight is about sending a message.

Before the next match, Santos Escobar demands everyone stand up and show respect for the AAA World Tag Team Champions, Los Garza (Angel and Berto). He then issues an open challenge to any team who wants to be lucha royalty along with being tag team champions. The challenge is answered by Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown.

Los Garza (Angel and Berto) retain the AAA World Tag Team Championships against Psycho Clown and Mr. Iguana in an open challenge.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interview Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says they are saving what they have to say about their attack on Jelly Roll earlier today for the ring later tonight.

We see a video package of the SmackDown tag team division.

Damian Priest beats Aleister Black by disqualification after Aleister throws a metal folding chair into Priest's face. After the match, Aleister then hits Priest in the back with the chair before hitting him in the face with it. The referee takes the chair away, but that leads to Aleister throwing Priest into the ring steps multiple times by the back of his head. He then hits Priest with Black Mass, and assistance has to be called for Priest.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton is met by Jade Cargill. Tiffany says she wanted Cargill at 100% at SummerSlam to make sure there were no excuses when she loses last week. Cargill says there will be no excuses and that she will finish what she started.

The Medina Family are the recipients of the Jimmy John's seat upgrade.

Talla Tonga beats Jimmy Uso after catching Jimmy out of the air for a choke slam while still on his back. After the match, Solo Sikoa sends out Tama Tonga and JC Mateo. They attack Jimmy Uso as Solo demands that the steel cage hanging above the ring be lowered. As Solo goes for a Samoan Spike on Jimmy, Jacob Fatu shows up and slides into the ring before the cage is fully lowered. Solo and Talla escape as JC and Tama fight Jacob only to be overpowered.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Charlotte admits she did not expect the two of them to be a tag team, but Alexa has had her back even if she is "super annoying." Alexa finds this statement bizarre, but says Charlotte hasn't been "half bad."

Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre head to the ring. Logan says that he and McIntyre are just trying to protect WWE from outsiders and that the fans do not know what it means to compete at SummerSlam. He says that Jelly Roll thought SummerSlam was "a hot dog eating contest." He says that he and McIntyre are tired of outsiders making a name for themselves while using WWE as a stepping stone, then tells Jelly Roll that he is an outsider, not a wrestler, and he learned today that he is a country star, not a Superstar, and that he will never belong here.McIntyre says that whatever happens to "Smelly Hole" tomorrow will be on Randy Orton, then says that "you talk to God when you need a favor" and that he has God on speed dial, and when he prays, bad things happen. All of a sudden, Jelly Roll shows up at the arena, but so does Randy Orton. General Manager Nick Aldis tries to talk Orton and Jelly Roll out of this, but they head to the ring and brawl with Logan and McIntyre. Security shows up, and Logan and McIntyre are sent tumbling out of the ring. Three security guards stand in front of Orton and Jelly Roll, and two of them eat an RKO before the third one gets choke slammed by Jelly Roll to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!