WWE SmackDown results, highlights (Aug. 1): John Cena turns back to babyface before SummerSlam

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The go-home "WWE SmackDown" before SummerSlam warmed up Newark with quite a surprise. The Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena opened the night to set the table for his big rematch against Cody Rhodes. But instead of the Cena we've seen for most of 2025, he reverted to his legendary "Super Cena" self.

Welcome back

Anticipation of some kind of mini-swerve brewed to start the show, but it never came. Instead, the Cena heel run ended early, as the man who can't be seen cut a vintage babyface promo and hit his classic catchphrases in front of his SummerSlam challenger Rhodes. He admitted to the error of his ways, almost like a callout of the creative team for soiling this long-awaited, potentially epic run that wasn't.

Cena highlighted what Rhodes did to him at their Street Fight rematch contract signing, citing it as the boot he needed to kick him back into his old ways. It was a solid reason for the Cena we've seen throughout his career, but in this instance, it felt fairly minimal, given that the Rhodes feud hadn't been reignited all too long ago.

Ultimately, this was the right move, assuming it sticks and isn't a swerve that plays into the match. If it does though, that would be a pretty great way to reheat the run. This also helps overall intrigue a bit because Rhodes also gave teases for a heel turn of his own. I was keen on the double turn idea within the match, but this could be an interesting approach if it unfolds in this direction.

Cena's bad guy phase has been a failure overall, which still carries several questions about whose fault that was. I'm looking at you, "Rocky." 

Nonetheless, Cena was always going out with the fans sending him love. It was no secret.

😑 DQ of the Night

This one really deflated the Newark crowd, and rightfully so. Aleister Black and Damian Priest were on their way to the Uncrowned Gem of the Night — until Black had to get himself DQ'd by throwing a chair at Priest.

Sure, props to WWE for being creative with DQs like this rather than relying on interference, but that's seriously the lowest compliment that can be given for this still ridiculously lazy booking. Let wrestlers win, man.

To make matters worse, at the end, Wade Barrett on commentary tried to justify that the match was never about a win for Black. So, then why was he trying to win and pinning Priest in the match? Nice try, but no dice, partner. This felt like a title match, and I guess in WWE's eyes, that's arguably why it had to end the way it did. Matches with a great vibe and hype on weekly shows can't end cleanly.

Also, Black's motivations still don't make much sense after he started this whole feud.

🎁 Consolation Prize of the Night

The first match of the night saw Giulia successfully defend her U.S. title against Zelina Vega in what felt like a make-up for crushing Giulia's dream of being on SummerSlam.

Don't get it twisted, this was a significantly better match than their first meeting, but it did much more for Vega than Giulia. The former champion was suddenly booked as some super-strong top-tier wrestler, despite the way she lost their first match. Vega kicked out of a superplex into a knee into a Northern Lights Bomb, which was beyond ridiculous. It was a clever way to sell a ticket on a Vega upset, but it was so random for how Vega's character is typically portrayed. Could we call that a cheap pop? You be the judge.

In the end, justice for Giulia.

👍 FRIDAY NIGHT FIRE 👍

1. Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown made their surprise WWE debuts to challenge Los Garza for the AAA Tag Team titles. Los Garza won in a fun match, but the finish was somewhat anticlimactic, as Psycho Clown took the pin. The whole match was to get Mr. Iguana in front of the WWE audience. His reaction was good, but I'm not sure it was as significant as WWE had hoped. Nonetheless, besides a rough botch on the ropes by Iguana, it was a fun match to see on "SmackDown."

2. Talla Tonga has truly arrived. What more could you need than a Jimmy Uso win in your official WWE debut? In all seriousness, it was a good showing from Tonga in what was essentially a prolonged squash match.

WWE missed an opportunity after this. When Jacob Fatu (in the most bizarre mask ever seen) arrived to make the save, I fully expected him to jump off the lowering cage into Solo Sikoa's squad. He did not.

👎 DOWN & OUT 👎

1. Logan Paul and Jelly Roll got into it in a backstage training video after throwing silly roast lines at each other. WWE is trying very hard to make this match a huge deal. The production quality of this was admittedly pretty good, but it's all just so corny.

It got worse, though. Paul and Drew McIntyre closed out "SmackDown," which only further highlighted what WWE cares about most in 2025: Views.

2. Joe Tessitore was unbearable during the Mr. Iguana match. I'm all for selling the debutant, but it was a lot. (And I mean a lot.)

3. Tiffany Stratton justified her save of SummerSlam opponent Jade Cargill last week by saying she wanted no excuses for her upcoming win. Even though this is WWE's way of showing that Stratton is really a face, despite her character's heel nature, this was still a weak explanation.

👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑

I'd like to mix up our Uncrowned Gem of the Night award more, but "SmackDown" has made it difficult. There's no need to lie either. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are one of the best acts going in the company right now.

The duo is clearly having a great time with their tag team. They have a wildly natural chemistry and play off each other perfectly. Add the fact that they're phenomenal in-ring talents, and this pairing couldn't have been more of a homerun by WWE. Even though the Women's Tag Team titles are meaningless, I'd love to see Flair and Bliss hold them for as long as possible just to keep them together.

👑 I give this show a Crown score of: 4/10. 👑