Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 26, 2025

Paul Heyman is in the ring to start tonight's show. He says there is a lot to talk about, but promises he will not go two hours. He asks the fans what they want to talk about in a reference to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, who eventually shows up. Cody admits he made a mistake last week in calling Heyman a goon, as he is one of the smartest men he knows and he loves to disrupt and stir things up. He then asks Heyman to tell him about Brock Lesnar now that the locker room is stirred up. Cody thinks that Paul Heyman getting back together with Brock Lesnar is more than "a one-night thing," and asks if he is talking to an oracle, a wiseman, or an advocate. Heyman says he is talking to "the GOAT." Heyman tells Cody he knows just as well as anyone else does that when Lesnar is here, everyone is in danger, then tells him that Lesnar is not here as Bron Breakker and "Big" Bronson Reed show up. He then asks Cody what makes him think he is not in anger right now, then Cody advises Breakker than he grew up around people like Heyman and that he can tell that Heyman is doing what he does for some reason and questions who he is loyal to before saying it is not Breakker. Breakker rips his shirt, then Cody removes his watch and jacket, then Cody and Breakker brawl. Bronson dives at Cody for a corner splash, but hits Breakker instead. Cody goes for a Cross Rhodes on Bronson, but Breakker attacks Cody and the numbers game takes over. Randy Orton runs out to the ring and brawls with Bronson, then takes Bronson out and brawls with Breakker. Breakker shoves Orton away to block an RKO only for Bronson to eat the move instead, and Cody clotheslines Breakker out of the ring.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Montez says The Wyatt Sicks took a lot out of them, but they are past that, and they are hungrier for what is there. Dawkins says they have each others' back even as they disagree from time to time.

Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles is seen in the crowd.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Melo Don't Miz (Carmelo and The Miz) in a WWE Tag Team Championship #1 Contender's Match after Miz tags himself in, which causes tension between Miz and Carmelo. When Miz gets pinned, Carmelo does not make the save. After the match, The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Erick rowan, Nikki Cross) are seen at the announce table.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Jade Cargill. Cargill says she is sick and tired of both Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax, and that she will be glad to be WWE Women's Champion. Stephanie Vaquer shows up, and Jade tells Vaquer that she will soon be coming her way. Vaquer says she looks forward to it.

Kiana James and Giulia beat "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab after Kiana rakes Michin's eyes.

Backstage, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair have been watching the last match when Sol Ruca and Zaria arrive. Zaria says she and Sol Ruca admire them, but admiration only goes so far, and demands a tag team title shot. Charlotte says there are other teams gunning for their titles and that Sol Ruca and Zaria have not earned it. Alexa questions how much of a real tag team Sol Ruca and Zaria are despite their talent, then tells them to get in line.

We see a video package for the WWE Men's Crown Jewel and WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship matches.

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring, his right foot in a protective boot. McIntyre looks back on his memories in tonight's arena from the past eight years and says he should have become champion, then says he is not champion because of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. He says that Cody was one step ahead and "a master chess player," that the referee took six seconds to count a pinfall he had and that the referee stopped him from kicking Cody's head into the commentary table, protecting Cody and costing him the WWE Championship. He forgives the ref, then blames Cody, saying he has great power, which means great responsibility and even greater corruption. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and says he can see where McIntyre is coming from, then says that was not his night and that McIntyre is better than that. He also mentions that the boot McIntyre is from is not from the WWE medical team. He then says McIntyre is not champion because of corruption, then tells McIntyre to have a good night and leaves. As McIntyre continues to retort Aldis after he has walked away, Jacob Fatu suddenly shows up. Jacob yanks the microphone from McIntyre's hand and tells him to shut up and stop bitching, saying that he cries, complains and blames everyone else for his wrongdoing every week and tells him to "sit [his] peg leg ass down." McIntyre yanks the microphone back and asks Jacob Fatu who he thinks he is, but Jacob yanks it away again and warns McIntyre that he is all gas and no brakes only to receive a Glasgow Kiss, which only sets Jacob Fatu off. Jacob hits a thrust kick before yanking McIntyre's protective boot off and hitting him in the forehead with it, then leaves.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton is met by Stephanie Vaquer, who tells Tiffany that she will be watching her and that they will hopefully meet in the ring at Crown Jewel. Tiffany tells Vaquer she respects her, but she will beat her to become Women's Crown Jewel Champion. Vaquer says "We'll see."

Backstage, Sami Zayn thanks Dragon Lee, then Dragon Lee asks Sami who will challenge him. Sami says it could be anybody before he heads to the ring.

We hear from Solo Sikoa, who summons JC Mateo as he talks about his accomplishments in and out of wrestling and says that he means more than that. He knows that Mateo believes in him, and tells him to put anyone who steps out of line back in place.

Sami Zayn's open challenge opponent is revealed to be Je'Von Evans. Josh Briggs is seen in the crowd.

Sami Zayn retains the WWE United States Championship against Je'Von Evans. Sami Zayn raises Je'Von Evans' hand in a sign of respect after the match.

Backstage, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre offer Nia Jax a spot in the Secret Hervice, but Nia Jax turns it down. Stephanie Vaquer shows up and wishes Nia Jax, and Nia says she could drop her right now, but she will wait until after she becomes WWE Women's Champion.

Backstage, Damian Priest is confronted by Kit Wilson and called an example of toxic masculinity as he wears a cast on his right arm as Aleister Black watches in the background. When Priest approaches him, Kit Wilson runs away and trips on his wheelchair, then Aleister gets Priest's attention and roundhouse kicks him in the face before stating that they are both going to do this until one of them is left standing and wishing Priest a happy birthday.

Tiffany Stratton retains the WWE Women's Championship against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill in a Triple Threat Match. Near the end of the match, Jade Cargill is busted open above her left eye, but still hits a Samoan Drop on the ring steps on Nia Jax. Also, the ref makes a two-count despite Nia Jax not kicking out before Tiffany hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to win and retain. After the match, Stephanie Vaquer shows up and has a staredown with Tiffany in the ring to end the show.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

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