WWE SmackDown Notes: Michael Cole & Corey Graves To Be New SD Announce Team For “Coming Months”, Sami Zayn Announces Return of U.S. Title Open Challenge Series, Brock Lesnar Appears, Cena vs. Lesnar Set for Wrestlepalooza, 9/12 Show Card

Sep 5, 2025

Michael Cole & Corey Graves To Be New SD Announce Team For “Coming Months”

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois featured the announcement of RAW brand commentary team Michael Cole and Corey Graves replacing Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett as the new commentary team for SmackDown for the next several months.

Michael Cole and Corey Graves back on commentary together on SmackDown #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LQk0chqt34
— DMP (@TimelessDevil25) September 6, 2025

SmackDown lead commentator Joe Tessitore recently resumed his commentary commitments for ABC and ESPN for the new College football season.

Sami Zayn Announces Return of WWE U.S. Title Open Challenge Series

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Sami Zayn announcing the return of the WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Series.

During the show, John Cena came out to the ring and gave a passionate speech to the crowd for his final appearance of his wrestling career in Chicago. This led to Zayn’s music playing and him coming out the ring. Zayn proceeded to praise Cena and talked about how Cena had an Open Challenge Series for the same U.S. title he is wearing. Zayn also brought up how he was one of the people Cena gave a chance for his open challenge series. Zayn then stated that he wanted to bring back the Open Challenge Series in homage to Cena and asked for his blessing, which Cena gave.

Full circle moment for @SamiZayn 🙌

Sami Zayn US Title Open Challenge? @JohnCena approves ✅ pic.twitter.com/Lk70hXZjbP
— WWE (@WWE) September 6, 2025

As Cena was about to leave the ring, Zayn stopped him and stated that he wanted Cena to be the first challenger for his Open Challenge Series, which Cena also accepted.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t3PskzUQh3
— WWE (@WWE) September 6, 2025

Brock Lesnar Makes Surprise Appearance

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Brock Lesnar making a surprise appearance.

Near the end of the WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Series match between John Cena and Sami Zayn, Lesnar’s music played as both men were down on the mat. Lesnar proceeded to make his way out to the ring and yanked the referee out to the floor knocking him out. Lesnar then got into the ring and laid out both Zayn and Cena with F-5s. Lesnar stood over Cena being proud of what he did and as he left the ring, he gave one more look at Cena and laughed.

THE BEAST HAS BEEN UNLEASHED!!! 😤 pic.twitter.com/MHNdAuLrJY
— WWE (@WWE) September 6, 2025

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar Announced for WWE Wrestlepalooza

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match announced for the card of Wrestlepalooza, which takes place on September 20th at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This new match announced was a singles match of John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar.

This new match was initially setup over recent weeks shows over Lesnar and Cena’s bad blood issues with each other. During tonight’s show, Lesnar interrupted Cena’s match with Sami Zayn for the WWE United States Championship and proceeded to lay out both of them. In a follow-up segment, Lesnar was seen walking backstage and called out Cena stating “see you at Wrestlepalooza, bitch.” It was announced that this match was made official for the show.

🚨🚨🚨

THE GOAT vs. THE BEAST at #Wrestlepalooza 👊 pic.twitter.com/iS6lqVDRKZ
— WWE (@WWE) September 6, 2025

Current card for WWE Wrestlepalooza:

Vacant WWE Women’s World Championship – Stephanie Vaquer vs. IYO SKY
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

Current Card for Next Week’s Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured two new matches announced for the card of next week’s show on September 12th at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

These new matches were setup following promos, storyline angles, and match card graphics throughout the show.

Current card for September 12th WWE SmackDown show: