This episode of SmackDown served as the final major stop before Clash in Paris, and the atmosphere inside Lyon made every segment feel important. The night delivered a mix of star-driven promos, hard-hitting matches, and storyline-driven chaos that built directly into the pay-per-view.
🎤
John Cena & Logan Paul — Opening Segment
The show kicked off with Logan Paul trying to rile up the French audience before John Cena arrived. The two exchanged words, setting the tone for their upcoming clash. No physical fight here, but the tension was strong and the crowd ate it up, giving this segment a big-fight feel.
1️⃣
Alexa Bliss def. Chelsea Green
Originally set for Bliss & Charlotte Flair defending their Women’s Tag Team Titles against Piper Niven & Alba Fyre, chaos broke out during entrances. Charlotte was attacked and taken out, leaving Bliss to fight alone. Chelsea Green stepped in as a replacement opponent. Despite interference attempts, Bliss managed to get the win. Afterward, the challengers laid out Bliss, while a banged-up Charlotte tried to make the save but was overwhelmed. This created intrigue for the eventual title defense.
2️⃣
Michin def. Kiana James
A very quick bout that saw Michin catch James off guard for a fast pin. The aftermath was the real story as Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia attacked Michin, laying her out and continuing their heated rivalry.
🎥
Randy Orton & Drew McIntyre — Brawl Segment
Drew McIntyre cut a promo that pushed Randy Orton’s buttons, leading to a fight breaking out. Orton landed his trademark offense, including a draping DDT, and chaos spilled to ringside. Security got involved but ate RKOs for their trouble. This ended with Orton standing tall, but the intensity between the two made their upcoming showdown feel personal and dangerous.
3️⃣
Street Profits def. Carmelo Hayes & The Miz — #1 Contenders Match
High-energy action highlighted this one, with Hayes dazzling and Miz using his veteran instincts against Ford and Dawkins. The Wyatt Sicks appeared during the match, distracting Miz. That distraction led to the Profits hitting their finishing combo on Hayes to score the victory. Now the Profits head to Clash in Paris for a title shot, while the Wyatt Sicks’ eerie presence lingers over the division.
4️⃣
Main Event: Sami Zayn def. Solo Sikoa — United States Championship
The night closed with an emotional showdown. Solo Sikoa dominated at points thanks to interference from his allies, but Jimmy Uso returned to fight them off. Jacob Fatu also made his presence felt, neutralizing Solo’s backup. Zayn fought through Solo’s power, surviving big moves, and then rallied with two Helluva Kicks to capture the United States Championship. The crowd exploded as Sami celebrated his first reign with that title, giving the show a triumphant and feel-good ending.
🤔
SmackDown delivered exactly what it needed to before the pay-per-view. The Cena–Logan segment gave the night star power, Bliss and Charlotte’s storyline kept the Women’s Tag division hot, Michin vs. Giulia escalated quickly, Orton and McIntyre’s brawl made their feud feel violent and personal, the Profits punched their ticket to Paris while the Wyatt Sicks kept everyone uneasy, and Sami Zayn’s emotional title win closed the show perfectly. A strong balance of hype, action, and payoff.
