WWE’s SmackDown made an electrifying stop at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, on August 29, 2025, delivering a high-stakes episode packed with intense confrontations and title action. As anticipation builds for this Sunday’s Clash in Paris pay-per-view, the show served as the perfect stage to escalate rivalries, notably between John Cena and Logan Paul, while progressing storylines involving The Street Profits, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa.
Logan Paul and John Cena Ignite the Lyon Crowd
The night kicked off with a fiery segment between John Cena and Logan Paul, further intensifying their upcoming Clash in Paris showdown. Logan arrived in style, descending from a black Mercedes amid a chorus of boos from the French crowd. Addressing the audience, he doubled down on calling Cena a “parasite,” but insisted he is the true “disruptor” shaking WWE’s foundation.
In a provocative promo, Logan boasted about his impact on WWE’s brand expansion, citing his role in securing deals with Netflix, ESPN, and integrating PRIME into WWE’s ecosystem reportedly adding over $6 billion in company value. His remarks struck a nerve as he mocked Cena as the embodiment of “outdated institutionalized wrestling,” challenging him to “bring his A game” in Paris.
The passionate crowd’s vocal displeasure was evident, with chants of “Shut the f*ck up!” barely censored on air. Cena responded in kind with his trademark blend of confidence and comedy, roasting Logan as a “fake” and a parasite easily seen through by the WWE Universe. A touching moment followed when Cena located a young fan from Brussels he had turned into a meme during a past heel run and publicly apologized, showing a different side to the veteran superstar.
According to sources close to WWE, backstage morale was “electric,” with many insiders noting Logan’s promo “successfully elevated the match tension, making it the must-see event for Sunday.” One WWE insider remarked, “Logan’s ability to draw heat here proves he’s cementing his place beyond just a celebrity cameo role”.
United States Championship on the Line: Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn
The main-event caliber tension extended to the United States Championship scene as reigning champion Solo Sikoa successfully defended his title against Sami Zayn. The match highlighted Solo’s raw power and endurance, but Zayn’s cunning and veteran savvy made it a competitive contest. Despite Zayn’s best efforts and some high-flying attempts, Solo retained after a dominant finish, reminding fans why he’s a rising force in the WWE.
Backstage sources suggest the decision to keep the belt on Solo was to solidify his momentum heading into Clash in Paris and possibly set up a future rivalry for the title after the pay-per-view. The confidence in Solo’s star power is growing, as a WWE official shared, “Solo is being groomed for bigger things, and his retention here was a statement of WWE’s investment in the new generation of champions”.
New Contenders Emerge for WWE Tag Team Championships
Another major development saw The Street Profits clash with Melo Don and The Miz in a high-energy contest to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships. The Street Profits emerged victorious, securing a title shot against The Wyatt Sicks at Clash in Paris.
This win solidifies The Street Profits’ status as one of WWE’s premier tag teams and suggests a high-profile, entertaining tag division battle brewing on the horizon. Wrestling analysts observed that this storyline could culminate in a marquee tag team match at Clash, potentially adding another must-watch moment to the card.
Drew McIntyre Issues Challenge to Randy Orton
In a surprising turn during the show, Drew McIntyre made a bold statement by calling out Randy Orton. This moment came shortly after Orton executed an RKO “out of nowhere,” which last week shocked both fans and wrestlers alike.
McIntyre’s challenge injects fresh intensity into SmackDown’s roster dynamics as two fan favorites with storied histories prepare to clash. WWE insiders suggest this could lead to a compelling feud in the coming weeks, possibly extending beyond Clash in Paris. “This sets the stage for a classic rivalry,” one source explained. “Both McIntyre and Orton have the charisma and in-ring skill to elevate each other”.
Women’s Division Spotlight: Michin vs. Kiana James
The women’s division also saw action as Michin took on Kiana James in a quick but decisive match. Michin capitalized on James’ aggressive approach, dodging an attack with a purse and quickly rolling her up for the victory.
Though brief, this encounter helped maintain momentum for Michin, keeping her relevant in the division as WWE continues to build fresh storylines for its female Superstars heading into the fall season.