With just a week left for Wrestlepalooza, the September 12, 2025, edition of SmackDown gave an early glimpse of what can be expected from the upcoming PPV. The fans were thrilled to tune into the live show, as it was predicted to be filled with big names like Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, The Wyatt Sicks, Jade Cargill, and many more.
Tonight’s segment of the Blue Brand was live from the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. With that being said, here’s everything that went down in tonight’s show!
| Events | Results |
| Brock Lesnar returns to SmackDown and kicks things off. | R-Truth gets F5ed by Brock Lesnar for interrupting him. |
| Sami Zayn starts the US Open Challenge. | Rey Fenix is the first WWE Superstar to enter the challenge. |
| Solo Siko sends a warning to Sami Zayn. | Solo Sikoa is going to challenge Sami Zayn for a rematch for the US Championship. |
| Sami Zayn vs. Rey Fenix for the US Championship. | Sami Zayn retains his title. |
| B-Fab vs. Giulia for the Women’s US Championship. | Giulia and Kiana James attack B-Fab and Michin comes to her aid. |
| Aleister Black sends an ominous warning to Damian Priest. | – |
| Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship. | Double count out. Nia Jax attacks Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton. |
| Carmelo challenges Sami Zayn for the US title at next week’s open challenge. | The Miz is not delighted to see Carmelo making his own decisions. |
| Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre. | Drew McIntyre wins. |
Brock Lesnar Kicks off SmackDown and F5s Ron Cena
The crowd was divided to see Brock Lesnar officially returning to WWE, where, on one hand, some were cheering to see him back inside the squared circle. On the other hand, the majority of them chanted “You s**k,” a reaction potentially from attacking John Cena last week. Before Lesnar could even address the WWE Universe, R-Truth came out and confronted him.
Before he could even say something, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ told him to “shut up,” but Truth took a different approach and became one of the first WWE Superstars to welcome him back. He continued that he used to be afraid of him before, but now he is not. Lesnar was visibly puzzled and told him that he did not even know who he was, and he should have a “d**n good reason” to come out and interrupt him.
R-Truth replied that Brock Lesnar has been insulting ‘The Cenation Leader,’ who was his “childhood hero” and “older brother,” for the “past 25 years.” Lesnar was now interested and asked him about his age and name. R-Truth said his name, and the crowd started chanting his name. ‘The Beast’ clarified that he was out here only for one man, John Cena, and asked him if he knew his whereabouts.
Ron Killings replied, “No, I don’t.” This made Lesnar question why he was out here. Truth replied he wanted to defend his “childhood hero” and “older brother.” ‘The Beast’ was getting impatient and asked him, “John Cena’s your brother, and your name is R-Truth?” With a straight face, Killings replied, “My name is Ron Cena.” The crowd cheered him and chanted “Ron Cena.”
Lesnar once again asked him why Truth is out here when he does not know where John Cena is. Killings explained how Cena went “crazy” this year, and now “Super Cena” is coming for him, and this time, Cena will not be running from him but “feeding on him.”
In the process, he ripped his pants, making him laugh as he positioned his back to the camera, laughing and remarking that he was wearing “blue underwear,” bringing the segment to an end.
Sami Zayn Unveils the First Challenger to His US Open Challenge
In a brief backstage segment, Sami Zayn could be seen engaging in a conversation with someone, where he was thrilled to get a green light from John Cena to keep the open challenge going. He continued that, irrespective of the result, he believes that they can get the live fans riled up by giving them an amazing match tonight.
The camera panned towards the opponent, and it was revealed that Rey Fenix would be challenging Zayn for the US Championship.
Solo Sikoa Warns Sami Zayn Ahead of What’s Coming
In another backstage segment, a prerecorded promo featuring Solo Sikoa was played. In the video, he was fuming at Sami Zayn for taking away the title that he had taken from Jacob Fatu. He recalled the sacrifices that he had to make to win that very title, and he is going to come after him.
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Sami Zayn and Rey Fenix Put On a Show at the US Open Challenge
Rey Fenix brought the fight to Sami Zayn, hitting him with his quick strikes and high-flying action that left the champion perplexed. Though Zayn tried to get some momentum in his favor, the challenger stopped him in his tracks, sending him onto the ring apron and hitting him with a springboard kick. Fenix did not stop the offense as he successfully executed a suicide dive and a splash from the top rope for a near pinfall.
The luchador had the complete momentum in his favor, where he hit the US Champion with several moves from the top rope, only resulting in near falls. After some tussling, Zayn tried to hit Fenix with a creative maneuver from the second rope, but the latter countered with a double stomp, leading to another near fall.
Eventually, Sami Zayn countered with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. He caught Fenix and set him up for the Helluva Kick, but this time Fenix countered him and nearly walked out as the new US Champion. After some back and forth, Zayn managed to connect the Helluva Kick and retain the title.
Giulia and Kiana James Attack B-Fab, Michin Comes to Level Things up
B-Fab was making his way inside the ring when Kianna James interrupted her from making her way to the ring. Though she knocked her out, Giulia hit her with a kick, sending her flying at the ringside. The two women sent B-Fab inside the WWE ring and continued their assault.
Suddenly, Michin’s theme hits, and she comes out with a kendo stick, swinging it with full force at James, and Giulia barely dodges it. The segment ended with Giulia and James fleeing from the scene.
Aleister Black Chooses to Be the Prophet of Violence
In a prerecorded video, Aleister Black explained his actions from last week, stating that he had poisoned Damian Priest with doubt, and this “venom” will eventually run its course. ‘The Archer of Infamy’ can come after him, but he will get sicker as he keeps facing the consequences, recalling “violence begets violence,” and he chooses to become its prophet.
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Nia Jax Picks on Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton were going back and forth, delivering hard-hitting blows and landing creative counters to each other. Midway through the match, Stratton delivered a Swanton Bomb to Cargill, leading to a two-count. The action was now at the ringside, where ‘The Storm’ hit Stratton face-first at the ring apron, planting a massive slam for another near fall.
The crowd was on their feet, as they could not anticipate who was walking out as the WWE Women’s Champion. Both women exchanged punches at the apron until Jade Cargill ran shoulder-first into the ring post. The champion tried to hit Cargill with a Moonsault but missed and was driven through the barricade, leading to a double count.
However, the match was far from over because Nia Jax came out and decimated both women, gesturing that she was coming for the championship.
The Miz Doubts Carmelo’s Potential to Be a US Champion
In a backstage segment, Sami Zayn, who was thrilled from his match against Rey Fenix, was excited to keep the open challenge going. Carmelo approached him and explained that, despite their differences in the past, he, too, would like to have a shot at the title, to which the champion agreed and left the scene.
The Miz was fuming at Melo for calling his own shots and was frustrated because being a US Champion is not easy, and he is trying to guide him to the Tag Team Championships. However, Hayes assured that it was possible and left, but ‘The Awesome One’ was not thrilled with it and gave a silent fit.
Cody Rhodes Returns to Randy Orton’s Aid Against Drew McIntyre
Last but not least, the main event of the Blue Brand, and weeks of tension were visible before the match even began. Randy Orton brought the fight to Drew McIntyre, slowly taking his time punishing his opponent, targeting every part of his body. In the process, ‘The Viper’ hurt his knee, giving McIntyre an opening to capitalize on it.
He locked Orton in a figure 4 leg lock, making him scream in agony. ‘The Apex Predator’ countered the submission move and followed with a suplex to give himself a breather. The action is now at the ringside, where ‘The Scottish Psychopath’ drove Orton spine-first on the announce table and then targeted his foe’s bad knee.
The 14-time WWE Champion tried to rally, but McIntyre stopped him in his path with a Claymore, but could not capitalize on it. Eventually, he used the referee as a distraction and delivered another Claymore to pick up the win. He was not done yet, as he positioned Orton near the announcer’s desk for a Claymore.
Cody Rhodes’ music hits, and he comes out to the rescue of his friend. To make things more interesting, he announced that he would see McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza to settle their score.
"I'll see you my friend at Wrestlepalooza!"@CodyRhodes just challenged @DMcIntyreWWE 😱 pic.twitter.com/rrK8NGiEp0
— WWE (@WWE) September 13, 2025
With so many exciting segments taking place in tonight’s SmackDown, which one did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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