Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 5, 2025

John Cena heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cena says that tonight is a special night and looks back on the start of his retirement tour, and says that he was coming off some bad years and wanted to make up for it by doing great work and leaving it all in the ring. He says that he has nothing planned and that tonight is about having fun, for he has given everything he has during this tour and, and tonight, he is taking it in. Cena states that Chicago, Illinois being unable to use their voices is what makes Chicago special, and that everyone is in for one exciting night, for it is the last time he will be here in WWE and his last time on SmackDown. He says that in this exact same city, he debuted and slapped Kurt Angle and started the ride that has lasted for over two decades. He talks about how he has faced Triple H, has held United States Open Challenges and even lost to CM Punk in this city. He says he was honored and thankful to start in Chicago and experience everything that he could in the city, which leads to "Thank You, Cena!" chants as he says that the city let him experience joy. Cena thanks the fans for "a beautiful ride" and tells everyone to enjoy tonight's show before Sami Zayn suddenly shows up. Sami says he has watched Cena over the past year and that it would not feel right not to thank him on behalf of the locker room for everything he has done for them as well as for him. He talks about how he made his main roster debut against John Cena for the United States Championship and how he now holds the title, then says he wants to pay it forward like Cena did with honor and dignity. Sami asks for Cena's blessing to start his own United States open challenge, which Cena gives him before Sami states that if this is the last chance they share a ring together, then he must pay Cena back with a United States title match right now. Cena accepts the challenge and shakes Sami's hand before calling for a referee.

John Cena vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship ends in a no-contest. During the match, Brock Lesnar shows up, pulls the referee out of the ring and hits Sami with an F-5 before doing the same to Cena. Lesnar then picks Cena up again for a second F-5 before leaving.

Backstage, Brock Lesnar tells John Cena that he will see him at Wrestlepalooza.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis is met by Melo Don't Miz (Carmelo Hayes and The Miz), who get a tag team title match from a distracted Aldis. After Aldis leaves, Becky Lynch shows up at the arena.

We hear from Aleister Black, who says that he hoped that WWE would change only to find that the well is still poisoned. He says that he must purify the well and if that leads to his own ruin, so be it. He says that Priest will be the king who falls on his sword and that Priest always follows the rules, unlike him, who follows them until he does not.

Aleister Black beats Damian Priest after attacking him mercilessly before the match and grabbing onto referee Ryan Tran's shirt collar to block Priest's choke slam before hitting Priest with Black Mass for the win.

We see a video package for the feud between Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany says that all the talk from Jade Cargill will come to an end next week. Meanwhile, Cargill watches the interview from elsewhere before Nia Jax shows up. Jade says that when she wins the WWE Women's Championship, Nia can come get her shot.

Backstage, Becky Lynch is met by General Manager Nick Aldis, who warns her that she cannot have any more issues tonight, as CM Punk is in the building.

Coby White of the Chicago Bulls is seen in the front row.

Giulia retains the WWE Women's United States Championship against "Michin" Mia Yim following the distraction by Kiana James. Kiana punches Michin a few times after the match.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss meets Charlotte Flair in the trainer's room. Charlotte wants revenge, but Alexa says now is not the time and that Charlotte needs to rest up.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins shows up in the crowd. He says that tonight, the legend of CM Punk dies, right here, right now, and to do the honors, he introduces Becky Lynch. Becky heads to the ring and chastises the fans for chanting for Punk while she is in the ring, then goes on to ask Chicago, Illinois if they know what greatness looks like before bashing all of the city's sports teams (except the Chicago Bears) as well as the fans and Punk. CM Punk soon shows up and heads to the ring, then says it is not about Becky and more about Rollins, who he calls a coward. Becky asks Punk if he is embarrassed, but Punk says he has nothing to be embarrassed about, unlike Rollins, who keeps hiding. Becky asks Punk how his face and pride are feeling as the crowd chants "AJ Lee." Becky tells the crowd to shut up, but Punk takes offense to that and says he has people who can kick her ass. Becky eventually slaps CM Punk multiple times again while Rollins has fun in the crowd. Punk leaves the ring, and Becky tells Punk to run away and calls him an embarrassment to Chicago. Punk says he was trying to avoid this situation, as he would never put his hands on a lady, then says he has somebody who will: AJ Lee, who shows up for the first time in over ten years. Becky charges at AJ Lee, but AJ Lee gets the upper hand with the ground and pound before slapping Becky in the face. Becky flees before Punk joins AJ Lee in the ring and Rollins regroups with Becky to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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