SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 29, 2025
LYONS, FRANCE AT LDLC ARENA
AIRED ON USA NETWORK AND ON NETFLIX INTERNATIONALLY
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 9,868 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 16,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Chris Adams to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Michael Cole introduced the show with an view of Lyon, France as the backdrop. Then they showed arriving wrestlers including Solo Sikoa and his crew, Sami Zayn, and Drew McIntyre.
-They went to Cole and Wade Barrett at ringside. Barrett said this was site of the greatest crowd in WWE history 18 months. Cole threw to a two minute video recap of last week’s Logan Paul-John Cena in-ring segment.
-Logan arrived in a luxury vehicle. As he exited the car, fans booed. Barrett said purists think to become WWE Champion, you should grind from the bottom up, but there are shortcuts to the top “if you draw enough eyeballs and you have enough talent.” He said those boxes have been checked by Logan Paul.
Logan said they don’t have a problem with him, they have a problem with change. He said he’s not a parasite. “I’m the opposite; I’m a disrupter,” he said. He said after he signed with WWE, he brought them to Netflix and ESPN. He cited the rights fees. He said he’s been worth roughly $6.6 billion dollars. “By the way, you’re welcome, TKO.” Fans booed.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get this making sense for Logan’s character as a crossover social media star bragging about his impact, but WWE has been talking a lot about itself lately and they might begin to mistake their own fascination with revenue as why fans choose to watch WWE in their free time.)
He said Cena told him to bring his A-Game. He said it’s the other way, because he’s in his prime and he’s going to push Cena to his limits. He interspersed French and English. He said when he beats Cena on Sunday, he will show everyone that he is the future of the company. “Wrestling is changing, and I am wrestling, and if you cannot change with it, you will get left behind!” he said. Cena’s music then played.
Cena made his entrance to cheers and chants of “Cena!” Cena told Logan he’s stupid because “you can’t do it alone.” He said if you don’t have fans, there is no show. He said they’re not going to get left behind, they set the pace. “We’re just here to make it a good time for them,” he said. “They’re the ones who hold the keys to whether you’ll join the family and have a career over 25 matches.” He said he sees so much potential in him. He said people want to root for him. He said Logan says he wants to take the business to heights it’s never been before, but he won’t make an ounce of effort to figure out “what we actually do around here.”
Cena said Logan isn’t a disruputor, he’s a wannabe. He said he’s standing in the ring with one of the original disruptors. He said he wore jorts and sneakers “even though they said he’d be fired if I did.” He said he pissed off purists and rapped his way to WrestleMania. He said he was doing what Logan is doing now 20 years ago “when I said ‘Word Life.'” He said that’s Logan’s first lesson in Thugonomics. He said the Maverick is a Dollar Store John Cena. He said Logan claims he brought them Netflix and ESPN and he claims his influence is responsible for these accolades and he claims his influence carries them to where they are now. “You’re influence isn’t what it once was, but we all know it,” he said.
Cena said he saw a list of the top 25 influencers in the world. He listed some who made the list, and said Logan was nowhere on that list. Logan snarled and paced. He said Logan made videos of stunts and pranks at age 12 and dropped disk tracks when he was 18 and now at age 30 when he makes headlines, it’s for the wrong reasons. “You didn’t bring your influence to us,” he said. “Your influence is shrinking and you’re desperate and you’re searching for a new revenue stream.” He said he’s not there to save wrestling, he’s there to save his own ass.
Cena said the fans don’t fear change. “They just see through fake,” he said. Fans chanted (I think) “He’s an asshole!” Fans popped when Cena began speaking in French. Logan fired back in French. Cena said he’s a gimmick and fans see through fake “and everyone is disgusted with you.” He said they keep giving him opportunities, “and you give us no respect.” He said it’s a teachable moment now and he’s going to show him what respect in their family means. Cena dropped to ringside and said respect in their family is when you get a pass for saying the wrong thing when you’re having a bad day. He said respect is when the next time see that person, you say you’re sorry for having a bad day. He apologized to a kid in the front row as he took a selfie.
Logan asked what this segment turned into. “Cena went from Make-a-Wish to Break-a-Wish.” Logan told him to wrap it up. Cena said, “You asked for this match, dickhead, and now you got it.” He said it’s the disappearer vs. the disappointment, paragon vs. parasite, the greatest of all time against Logan Paul. He said he better polish his game. He said he has 24 hours to polish his game. He said if he doesn’t, wrestling will ruin him.
(Keller’s Analysis: Everything Cena is involved with these days gets engulfed by meta nonsense that isn’t about the presupposition of wrestlers battling for victories, but rather excessive references and counter-productive focus on how they’re all marketing characters and it’s all about building the WWE brand and honoring the WWE culture. When a company begins to lose sight of the product that people want and begin focusing on their brand as the focus, it’s bound to turn people off. Fans aren’t fans of a brand, they’re fans of what the brand offers, and WWE is offering a lot self-obsessed brand talk. It’s a lot less entertaining to the common folk than it is to the top executives and top paid wrestlers who can’t look past their focus on riches and materialism and celebrity status. A promo built around the premise of people fearing change seemed pretty oblivious to how out of touch they’ve become with what created the wave that led to sellout crowds and big rights-fee contracts. I mean, Cena’s so wrapped up in his own celebrity mindset and wisdom-bestowing perch he’s placed himself on he didn’t even mention what the segment was advertised as being about, which was addressing Logan attacking him last week at the end of Smackdown. He talked generically about Logan’s brass knuckles, but he didn’t play up at all that he was hurt or out for revenge.)
-Cathy Kelley interviewed The Street Profits and B-Fab backstage about their match later. As they closed with “We Want the Smoke,” Bo Dallas walked up behind them and asked if they’re family. He said the Wyatt Sicks is family. He told Ford that when they come for them, “you’ll really find out if he really is your brother.” Montez Ford shot Angelo Dawkins a suspicious look.
(Keller’s Analysis: Is that teasing Dawkins joining the Wyatts?)
-Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance. Chelsea Green attacked Charlotte and Alba Fyre attacked Bliss. Officials ran out and pulled them apart. Cole said they’re supposed to battle for the tag titles. [c]
(1) CHELSEA GREEN vs. ALEXA BLISS
The bell rang after the break. Barrett said it’s a disgrace that this has become a singles match. They showed an inset image of Charlotte being helped to the back. The bell rang 30 minutes into the hour. Barrett (preposterously) said Bliss should be defending the tag titles on her own if Charlotte couldn’t wrestle. Cole said Chelsea and her team got too cute and did so much damage, they cost themselves the tag title shot rather than just give themselves an advantage. Cole said Barrett was becoming an idiot after working “so long with Tess” (Joe Tessitore).
Chelsea bailed out to ringside at 3:00. Bliss leaped off the ring apron with a cannonball onto Fyre. Green threw Bliss into the ringside steps. They cut to a break. [c]
Back from the break, Green landed a missile dropkick and then rammed Bliss into the announce table. Bliss rallied, but when she went for Twisted Bliss, Green lifted her knees. They countered each other’s subsequent big moves and it led to Bliss getting a leverage three count.
WINNER: Bliss in 10:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: No acknowledgment of why Piper Niven wasn’t there, but was advertised to team with Fyre against Charlotte & Bliss.)
-Afterward, Fyre attacked Bliss at ringside. Fyre and Green attacked Bliss in the ring. Charlotte limped to the ring and took out Fyre at ringside. She then went after Green in the ring. Fyre snapped Charlotte’s neck over the top rope. Green then gave Charlotte an Unprettier. Charlotte clutched her ankle. Fyre gave Bliss a facebuster next. The two heels stood together in the ring as their music played.
-Kelley interviewed Sami Zayn backstage. She said he appears to be the most confident version of himself lately. She asked how he’s feeling about walking out of the arena as the U.S. Champion tonight. Sami said he didn’t feel like the best version of himself on Raw and he got in his head and self-doubt crept in. He said he feels the way he felt when he ended Gunther’s longest-ever IC Title reign at WrestleMania. He said it’s time to go out there and do it, and no better place than Lyon. He spoke in French and got cheers.
-Cole congratulated Brandi and Cody Rhodes on the birth of their second baby, Lani. [c]
-Cole plugged Clash in Paris as a camera showed an aerial view of Lyon.
-A vignette aired with Aleister Black saying the violence with Damien Priest will now exacerbate. He said he’ll show the world how misguided and hollow Priest really is.
-Kelley interviewed Priest outside the arena near the trailers. Priest said he speaks and dresses like he’s educated. He said he knows he wants to be like him, but he’s not. He said he doesn’t make empty threats and it’s clear Black isn’t ready for this fight. He said he’ll teach him what it’s like to be from where he’s from. He said he’d teach him a lot about pain. He said he’s going to be smiling after enjoying every bit of violence he’ll be inflicting on him. Priest threw back to Cole and Barrett. Cole said Priest should be commenting next to him instead of Barrett. Barrett said he’d gladly change places with him.
-Michin made her entrance. [c]
-Cole plugged Worlds Collide.
(3) MICHIN vs. KIANA JAMES (w/Giulia)
Kiana’s ring entrance aired. Cole noted this is her first match on Smackdown. He questioned this being her first match given the stakes for Michin. Barrett said Kiana is a former NXT Tag Champion in addition to her accolades as a business woman. Cole noted her gymnastics background also. The bell rang 56 minutes into the hour. Kiana tried to use her purse as a weapon, but Michin ducked and then scholbooyed her for a three count.
WINNER: Michin a few seconds.
-Giulia and Kiana attacked Michin afterward. Giulia tossed Michin around ringside and bashed her into the ringside barricade. Them she gave her a stomp into the base of the steps. Cole said there’s a reason she was nicknamed “Beautiful Madness.”
-They showed Drew McIntyre backstage heading toward the entrance tunnel. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-A scene aired of Indianapolis, Ind. as Cole hyped the WrestlePalooza event.
-Drew McIntyre made his entrance. He got in Cole’s face and asked if he had a Cody Rhodes medical update. He then entered the ring and told Randy Orton’s that he just wanted to talk. He told Orton to come on out and let France sing his song. Orton’s theme played and fans sang it. Drew leaned in a corner as Orton paced and absorbed a “Randy! Randy!” chant.
Drew said, “Now wasn’t that special.” Drew asked Orton to indulge him for two minutes and he said if he listened to him, he’d see things this way. He asked if Orton attacked him because he thinks Cody is his friend. He said Cody isn’t anyone’s friend. He said he’s a liar, a manipulator, and a politician. He said when Cody was checking on him when he was out of action, it wasn’t friendship, it was Cody getting intel on Orton’s status. Drew said if Orton believes he’s his friend, he’s naive and he’s an idiot.
Orton said Drew made a compelling argument and he’ll give it some thought. He said he dropped Drew last week, though, not because of Cody, “but because I think you’re a prick.” Drew headbutted Orton. He then went for a Claymore, but Orton ducked. Orton then played to the crowd before delivering a draping DDT. Orton pounded the canvas. Officials and security ran into the ring. Orton turned his back and took a deep breath. He then gave both security guys unprovoked RKOs. He paused and then gave one to “Hurricane” Helms (a producer in a suit). He went for a punt kick, but Drew rolled out of the ring. Drew and Orton yelled at each other from afar as Orton’s music played.
-Carmelo Hayes told Miz backstage that he can’t steal his spots. Miz said Hayes has won more in two weeks than he had in the entire time he was gone. Hayes said Miz is winning more now too, “so who’s helping who.” Miz said they have lightning in a bottle and they need to harness it. He said they’re a team and they are awesome. Hayes absorbed what Miz was saying and nodded. Miz was interrupted by Bo Dallas. He said perception isn’t reality, “I am.” Hayes told him not to cash a reality check he can’t cash. Miz and Hayes fist-bumped. Hayes said, “We’ve got this.”
-The Street Profits made their entrance. [c]
-Nick Aldis scolded Orton for attacking security guards. Orton said, “Sometimes it’s more fun to be bad.” He then gave Aldis a small bottle of whiskey. R-Truth showed up and asked if he was going to drink it. Aldis said he is after the day he’s had. Truth handed it back to Aldis and said, “My bad.” Cole told Aldis to send some of it down to him.
(Keller’s Analysis: Cole’s glorifying of alcohol is a little much these days. He’s coming across like a college frat boy who can’t wait to get wasted after the show ends.)
(4) THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins w/B-Fab) vs. MELO DON’T MIZ (Carmelo Hayes & The Miz) – For no. 1 contendership for the WWE Tag Team Titles
Hayes and Miz made their entrance after the break. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Ford did some acrobatics early and played to the crowd as he got an early advantage against Miz. Hayes got some cheers after he got in a sequence of flash offense.[c]
Dawkins tagged out to Ford as Hayes tagged out to Miz. Ford went on a flurry of offense. Ford landed a top rope splash on Miz, but Hayes then splashed Ford. Hayes was the legal man and he rallied until Ford knocked him out of mid-air with a flying knee. Miz asked for a tag. The Wyatt Sicks showed up at ringside, distracting Miz. He wasn’t available to tag in when Hayes crawled over to him. Dawkins knocked Miz off the ring apron. The Profits then landed the Revelation for the win.
WINNERS: The Profits in 9:00.
-The Profits and Wyatts faced off in a staredown mid-ring.
-Jade Cargill walked up behind Tiffany Stratton. She told her that Aldis named her no. 1 contender. Stratton said she let her win last week, and that’s what put her in that position. Jade said she’ll snap her in two. Tiffany said she’s been undefeated in 2025. Jade said she can teach her a thing or two about that. She said that dies when she beats her and shows they were never on the same level.
-Solo Sikoa told the MFTs that Sami can’t come to “his show” and take his title.
-Sami made his ring entrance to enthusiastic cheers. [c]
-A clip aired of Stephanie McMahon’s interview with Roman Reigns. They reminisced about Stephanie slapping him 15 times and busting his ear drum.
-Cole hyped the Clash in Paris line-up. [c]
(5) SOLO SIKOA (w/MFTs) vs. SAMI ZAYN – U.S. Title match
Solo made his entrance. Formal ring introductions took place. Cole talked about the history with Sami and Solo going back to the original Bloodline. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. Sami knocked Solo to the floor and teased a dive to ringside, but Talla stepped in his way. Sami landed back in the ring. They cut to a very early break. [c]
Back from the break, Sami was punching away at Solo. He landed a running flip dive onto Solo at ringside. Sami threw Solo back into the ring, but Talla Tonga and J.C. Mateo yanked him to ringside. Mateo kicked Sami as the ref was overly concerned with Solo in the ring. Solo landed a Spinning Solo for a near fall at 7:00. Barrett said there wasn’t a person on the planet who didn’t think that would end it. Jimmy Uso ran to ringside got into a brawl with Talla and Mateo. Jacob Fatu’s music played. He leaped off the ringside barricade near the time keeper’s area. Fatu rammed Talla into the ringpost. Sami gave a distracted Solo a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
Fatu clotheslined Talla over the ringside barricade “into the WWE Universe.” Jimmy leaped onto them. Solo rolled out of the ring to avoid a Helluva Kick by Sami. When Sami went after Solo, Solo slammed him on the announce desk. They cut to a double-box break at 9:00. [c/db]
Solo rallied after the break and landed a top rope splash for a near fall. Sami made a comeback and went for a Helluva Kick, but Solo blocked it with his boot. Sami came right back, though, and landed a Helluva kick. He followed with a second Helluva Kick for a three count. Cole said it’s Sami’s first U.S. Title win. Pyro blasted as Sami celebrated in the ring to end the show.
WINNER: Sami Zayn in 13:00 to capture the U.S. Title.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Chris Adams to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpodcast@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIP MEMBER EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A VIP CALLER: https://streamyard.com/92pi4p7f8n
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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