This week’s SmackDown came live from Chicago, and from the moment the cameras opened, the energy was electric. WWE leaned heavily on nostalgia, big names, and high-stakes storylines, while mixing in enough in-ring action to keep things balanced. The crowd played a major role, fueling every entrance and every twist throughout the night.
1️⃣ Sami Zayn (c) vs. John Cena – United States Championship Match (No Contest)
The night opened with a major spotlight: Sami Zayn announcing a United States Title open challenge. In a moment of surprise and emotion, John Cena stepped forward, making his final Chicago SmackDown appearance even bigger.
The match itself was a back-and-forth showcase of resilience. Cena brought out his signature power moves, hitting shoulder tackles, a spinebuster, and an Attitude Adjustment that had the crowd on its feet. Zayn countered with sharp strikes and his trademark Helluva Kick, nearly securing the win on multiple occasions.
Just as the match reached its peak, Brock Lesnar stormed down to the ring. He pulled the referee out, destroyed both Cena and Zayn with multiple F-5s, and left the match without a result. Lesnar’s attack not only spoiled Cena’s potential farewell victory but also set the stage for a high-profile clash between Cena and Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza.
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Backstage Promo – Damage CTRL Tensions
A backstage interview saw IYO SKY and Dakota Kai exchange heated words after recent miscommunication in tag action. Bayley tried to play peacemaker, but the cracks within the group were clear, hinting at bigger drama ahead.
2️⃣ Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest – Singles Match (Black wins)
Before the bell, Aleister Black blindsided Priest with a brutal kick on the ramp. Despite the early damage, Priest fought hard, using his size and power to regain control. The match spilled ringside, where Priest attempted a powerbomb through the announce table, but the table didn’t break, adding a gritty edge to the fight.
Inside the ring, Priest hit South of Heaven, but Black kicked out. The finish came when Black countered a chokeslam into Black Mass, dropping Priest cold for the three-count. The victory reestablished Black as a dangerous force, while Priest walked away furious and plotting revenge.
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Backstage Segment – Paul Heyman Interview
Paul Heyman addressed Brock Lesnar’s shocking return earlier in the night. With his trademark confidence, he emphasized that Cena’s time was up and that Lesnar’s focus was firmly on Wrestlepalooza. Heyman’s words fueled speculation about whether this was Lesnar’s last big run or the beginning of a new era of dominance.
3️⃣ Giulia (c) vs. Michin – Women’s United States Championship (Giulia retains)
The Women’s U.S. Title was next, with Michin challenging Giulia. The match had a fast pace, with Michin nearly pulling off the upset after hitting a powerbomb and a running cannonball in the corner.
Giulia, however, showed why she’s become one of the division’s most dangerous champions. She weathered Michin’s offense, landed a series of stiff strikes, and sealed the win with a running knee strike.
After the bell, Kiana James jumped in, attacking Michin while Giulia stood tall with her championship. The post-match angle signaled an upcoming feud, with Giulia’s reign continuing but challengers lining up quickly.
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Backstage Promo – AJ Styles Fires Up The O.C.
In another backstage segment, AJ Styles rallied Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, promising to bring The O.C. back to relevance. The renewed focus hinted at a new faction feud brewing on SmackDown.
4️⃣ Main Event Segment – CM Punk, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, and AJ Lee’s Return
The night’s final act brought CM Punk out to his hometown crowd, and the ovation was thunderous. Punk spoke about his journey back to WWE, only for Becky Lynch to interrupt, mocking Punk and staking her claim as the true face of SmackDown.
Seth Rollins soon joined Becky, setting up a verbal sparring match that teased a power couple angle against Punk. Just when it seemed Punk might be cornered, AJ Lee made her shocking return to WWE.
The crowd erupted as AJ confronted Becky, and without hesitation, she attacked, laying Becky out. Punk and AJ stood together, while Rollins pulled Becky away in shock. The closing image of Punk and AJ in the ring strongly hinted at a mixed-tag showdown at Wrestlepalooza.
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This SmackDown blended emotional farewells, shocking returns, and solid wrestling in a way that made every segment feel important. John Cena’s clash with Sami Zayn gave fans a dramatic start, Brock Lesnar’s return injected star power, Aleister Black’s win reestablished him as a top-tier threat, Giulia’s title defense showcased the women’s division, and AJ Lee’s return delivered one of the loudest reactions of the year.
Chicago got a night to remember, and WWE left with momentum heading straight into Wrestlepalooza season.
