Photo Credit: WWE

25) – Fight Night in Chicago

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Michael Joseph Sugue | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 5:12 AM ET

WWE kicks off the month of September with the post-WWE Clash in Paris edition of their premier Friday night show, WWE SmackDown. Last Sunday’s Premium Live Event left the WWE Universe with much to deal with, and we handle the fallout this Friday. We got a hometown hero coming back to the state that embraces him, as well as the greatest ever to lace a pair of wrestling boots, plus a lot more coming your way on this latest edition. Without further ado, here’s a WWE SmackDown preview for September 5, 2025. Let’s run it down.

WWE SmackDown Preview and Card (9/5/25):

John Cena Makes His Final Appearance in Chicago
CM Punk Addresses the WWE Universe

Chicago-Made

After the events of Clash in Paris and WWE Monday Night Raw, CM Punk makes his way back home to Chicago, Illinois. The “Second City Saint” had a heated exchange last Monday night with Becky Lynch, the very person who cost him the World Heavyweight Championship, allowing his husband, Seth Rollins, to retain.

Lynch came to the aid of his husband last Monday night, even slapping Punk across the face to put an exclamation on this whole situation. Punk warned both Rollins and Lynch that they’ll regret everything in due time. Backstage, we saw CM Punk ask Raw General Manager Adam Pearce where SmackDown will be this Friday. Pearce replied that it’ll be at Punk’s home plate.

It seems like CM Punk will turn it up this Friday night, and he’ll unveil what he has up his sleeve for Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins. What does CM Punk have to say to his hometown crowd this Friday?

Last Dance in Chicago

Against Logan Paul at WWE Clash in Paris, John Cena proved to everyone that he still has a lot to give to the WWE Universe, pulling out all the stops against the young “Maverick.” Cena reminded everyone why he was the “GOAT of WWE” after another stellar performance in this retirement tour.

This Friday night, John comes back to Chicago one last time. The “Windy City” played host to a lot of great Cena moments in WWE, specifically his debut, war with CM Punk at the 2011 Money in the Bank PLE, as well as the first time he ever met The Rock after the “Brahma Bull” came back to the company.

John Cena will undoubtedly make more memories on this newest edition of SmackDown, and hopefully, we’ll hear what he has in store next.

We deal with the fallout from Clash in Paris this Friday. Catch it live on The USA Network and Netflix!

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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