Tonight’s WWE SmackDown: 6 Hits & 1 Miss (August 8)

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown has concluded, and with SummerSlam now behind us, the upcoming Clash in Paris at the end of the month is now our main focus. This particular SmackDown seemed to build upon many of the significant shifts in momentum from SummerSlam in various ways. While there were some entertaining matches tonight, it was often the backstage and ring segments that captured our attention more frequently. We’re here to dissect the key highlights of the night and determine whether they were resounding successes or misses. Let’s dive right into the opening segment of the evening.

The WWE SmackDown from tonight is now over, and with SummerSlam now history, we’re all looking forward to Clash in Paris coming up at the end of the month. This edition of SmackDown seemed to capitalize on many of the major shifts in energy from SummerSlam in multiple ways. Although there were some enjoyable matches tonight, it was usually the backstage and in-ring segments that really captured our interest more than anything else. We’re here to analyze the most significant moments of the night and decide whether they were huge triumphs or major letdowns. Let’s kick things off with the first segment of the show.

The goal is to make it sound more conversational and engaging while keeping the original meaning intact.

Hit: Cena’s Unexpected Opponent

John Cena kicked off the event with a unique style all his own, which was met with thunderous applause from the audience. An unexpected turn came when Logan Paul emerged as Cena’s opponent – an encounter I didn’t anticipate but turned out to be quite exciting. This dynamic is reminiscent of their brief alliance during Cena’s villain phase. If Cena performs similarly at Clash in Paris, this could mark another memorable event in his farewell tour, as Paul has demonstrated the ability to create impactful moments and stand on his own.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but anticipate the epic showdown between Lesnar and Cena at Clash in Paris. In the interim, Lesnar seems to be studying Cena’s next move meticulously, and if they cross paths with Paul, it promises to be a spectacle to remember! If Lesnar manages to get entangled in this match somehow, I have a feeling Cena might find himself on the losing end when the dust settles.

Hit: MVP LeRae

Candice LeRae shows off the bruise she got from the TLC match at WWE SummerSlam. #SmackDown

— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) August 9, 2025

Viewers who watched the thrilling WWE Tag Team TLC match during SummerSlam won’t forget the standout moment when Candice LeRae soared off a ladder and landed onto another one positioned between the ring and commentary table. Tonight, LeRae shared the large bruise that resulted from the impact, but WWE cleverly used this fall (and Johnny Gargano’s indifference following the incident) to fuel the rivalry between DIY and Street Profits, as well as the internal strife within Gargano (known as Husband of the Year) and LeRae. This added drama made for exceptional television. Furthermore, any opportunity to increase LeRae’s on-screen presence is a positive development in itself.

Hit: The Return of Charly

At the start of the program, Charlotte Flair hinted at having a surprise in store for Alexa Bliss. Initially, it seemed to be a birthday cake more for Flair than Bliss, but eventually, The Queen did come through. This was because Flair unveiled the return of an item that Bliss had given her over four years ago – none other than Lilly’s close friend Charly.

In their past rivalry, Bliss gifted Flair a character named Charly, a championship title alter ego, during an unfriendly period between them. Now, as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Charly has made a comeback, serving as a humorous reference to their history. This move also signifies a step closer to friendship and embraces between the two. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and fans can hope for an extended partnership from these entertaining duo.

Hit: Always Creating a Moment

Chelsea Green and her Secret Service interrupted Bliss and Flair, leading to a match between the two. The encounter was entertaining and strengthened the bond between Bliss and Flair. However, it was Green who provided the most memorable moment of the match, as she found herself face-first in a birthday cake within the ring. Despite the loss, Green is exceptional at transforming any situation into a highlight, and this instance was no exception. She converted her defeat into a hilarious spectacle, so while we wish for more victories from her, you can’t help but admire what she managed to create with this loss.

Miss: Missing from the Ring

WWE created quite an impact when they announced that Giulia had chosen WWE SmackDown as her new home base. Subsequently, she managed to defeat Zelina Vega and claim the title of WWE Women’s United States Champion. Vega was granted a rematch for the championship on the July 25th episode of SmackDown, but Giulia retained the title. However, since then, Giulia has been absent from the ring for two weeks.

It’s fantastic news that we’ve spotted Giulia behind the scenes, teamed up with Kiana James as her new manager! However, no match or announcement about one has been made yet. Though it’s exciting to see Giulia holding the Championship, it would be even more thrilling to watch her defend it in the ring. Unfortunately, it might take another two weeks before we finally get to see that happen. But for now…

Hit: Michin is Priceless

After a captivating exchange between Giulia and Jade Cargill, it was Michin who stole the limelight. Intriguingly, Michin questioned Cargill about her plans for James’ business card, to which Jade handed it over. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Michin hinted she might contact the glasses-wearing individual to arrange a US Title match, followed by a roaring laughter as she sauntered off with an unassuming kendo stick. No matter what, Michin never disappoints in the ring, and if we get more of this charming persona during promos and backstage segments, her screen time will be even more delightful.

Hit: Cena and Truth

Initially, Ron Killings (R-Truth) has returned to TV, which is already a big success. However, the segment grew more intriguing when Killings encountered Cena in the backstage area. They then began to mimic each other, with Killings expressing his joy over Cena’s return as his idol.

Following Killings’ joyful reception of the authentic Cena, Cena playfully credited his entire villainous phase to Killings, stating “you behaved quite strangely for about five months”. He then said “it’s nice to see you again” as he departed. Confused yet pleased by the return, Killings was reminded that not only is he exceptional, but when paired with Cena, it can only lead to positivity.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/tonights-wwe-nxt-6-hits-2-misses-august-5-2025/embed/#

Read More

• Gold Rate Forecast

• Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation

• PS5’s ChinaJoy Booth Needs to Be Seen to Be Believed

• Microsoft is on track to become the second $4 trillion company by market cap, following NVIDIA — and mass layoffs

• AI-powered malware eludes Microsoft Defender’s security checks 8% of the time — with just 3 months of training and “reinforcement learning” for around $1,600

• ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency

• xAI’s $300/month Grok 4, billed as a “maximally truth-seeking AI” — seemingly solicits Elon Musk’s opinion on controversial topics

• Anime’s Greatest Summer 2024 Shonen Hit Drops New Look Ahead of Season 2

• Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”

• Powell’s Exit? A Financial Drama! 🎭

2025-08-09 06:11