WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results and Recap: Cody Rhodes Returns (September 12, 2025)

• Sami Zayn def. Rey Fenix via pinfall to retain the United States Championship
• Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton ended in a double count out
• Drew McIntyre def. Randy Orton via pinfall

Here Are Your Key Moments From Friday Night SmackDown For September 12, 2025

• Brock Lesnar opens the show, but before he can even speak, he's interrupted by R-Truth in the ring. R-Truth welcomes Lesnar back. He tells Lesnar that he used to be afraid of him but not anymore. Lesnar tells him he doesn't even know who he is. Truth says he's been disrespecting Cena for 25 years, and he tells him he's tired of the disrespect. Lesnar wants to know where Cena is, but Truth doesn't know where he is. Truth tells Lesnar that Cena went crazy this year, and that he's not going to run from The Beast, he'll be feeding on him. Lesnar then delivers a F5 to Truth, ending the segment while also splitting his pants in the process, which he plays up for the crowd by dancing in the ring.
• B-Fab was set to challenge Giulia for the Women's United States Championship, only to receive a beating from her and Kiana James before the match even began. Michin appeared with a Kendo stick to save B-Fab from any additional attacks.
• Sami Zayn is seen backstage discussing his match with Rey Fenix, when Carmelo Hayes appears and challenges Zayn to a match next week on SmackDown. The Miz appears and asks Hayes why he didn't speak to him about it first, and Hayes tells him to trust him.
• Following the end of the main event, Drew McIntyre gets ready to Claymore Kick Randy Orton in the head until Cody Rhodes appears to attack him. Rhodes tells McIntyre that he's returned, and that he'll see him at Wrestlepalooza.

Sami Zayn's Open Challenge Is An Added Plus To SmackDown

Not every week is perfect on SmackDown and Raw, with the creative not always matching the match output or the creative talent. One of the recent bright spots that appears to have no sign of slowing down is Sami Zayn's United States Championship Open Challenge, a wonderful addition to the SmackDown brand each week.

Zayn, who many fans feel should have already held one of the two top WWE championships, now has a rare opportunity to elevate himself as an established veteran worthy of top gold (as if he hadn't already) while elevating the newest talent. Rey Fenix looked phenomenal in this week's effort and was positioned with more visibility for WWE fans, and with the opportunities endless for WWE Superstars ready for their turn, the Open Challenge is going to be a must-see wrestling every Friday night.