On the August 1, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown broadcast live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, fans witnessed a significant character shift as John Cena appeared to turn babyface, energizing the crowd ahead of WWE SummerSlam 2025. Meanwhile, Giulia successfully defended her Women’s U.S. Championship against Zelina Vega, and AAA sensations Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown made a shocking tag team appearance, answering the open challenge issued by Los Garza—Angel and Berto—adding an unexpected layer of excitement to the night.

John Cena’s Babyface Shift: A New Chapter Begins

The night’s most buzzworthy moment came when John Cena, long known for his heroic persona but recently featuring in more ambiguous storylines, took the opportunity to clarify his stance. During a tense in-ring exchange with Cody Rhodes, Cena delivered an impassioned promo that hinted at a renewed babyface alignment. According to Fightful’s coverage and confirmed by WWE.com, Cena spoke directly to the audience, emphasizing respect, perseverance, and his commitment to the fans, all classic hallmarks of his much-loved heroic character[3][1]. A WWE insider shared with Wrestling Headlines that this shift is part of WWE’s strategy to position Cena prominently at SummerSlam 2025 and to potentially set up a high-stakes feud with Cody Rhodes, further elevating the event’s draw.

Giulia Retains via Hard-Fought Victory Over Zelina Vega

In a high-octane bout for the Women’s U.S. Title, Giulia stood tall after defending her championship against Zelina Vega in a match that showcased technical prowess and crowd engagement. As detailed in Keller’s report on PW Torch, Giulia retained after a well-executed sequence and a submission finish, proving again why she is one of the most dominant forces in the women’s division today[5]. Zelina Vega put forth a valiant effort, but Giulia’s strategic offense and resilience secured her the victory, solidifying her reign and setting the stage for future challengers eager to dethrone the champion.

Surprise AAA Tag-Team Challenge Elevates SmackDown’s International Flavor

Adding unexpected excitement, WWE welcomed international Lucha Libre stars Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown, who responded to the AAA Tag-Team Championship Open Challenge from Los Garza — Angel and Berto — who themselves are AAA standouts making waves on WWE programming. As reported by Last Word on Sports, their surprise appearance electrified the Prudential Center crowd and brought fresh energy to the tag team division[2]. While Los Garza ultimately retained their titles, the presence of Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown underscored WWE’s continued collaboration with AAA and the growing influence of Lucha Libre within the global wrestling landscape.

Additional Highlights: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black and Talla Tonga’s SmackDown Impact

The undercard featured a hard-hitting showdown between Damian Priest and Aleister Black, which further showcased WWE’s depth of talent heading into SummerSlam. Talla Tonga also made a memorable impact in a match against Jimmy Uso, fueling ongoing storylines. These bouts maintained a consistently high level of in-ring action throughout the night, as reported by Pro Wrestling Dot Net and Last Word on Sports[4][2].

Backstage Reactions and Industry Buzz

Sources close to WWE revealed to Wrestling Headlines that behind the scenes, the creative team is excited about Cena’s character adjustment, believing it adds fresh intrigue and sets the stage for compelling rivalries at SummerSlam and beyond. Additionally, the successful defense by Giulia is seen as a foundational moment for WWE’s expanding women’s championship landscape, positioning her as a flagship competitor. The AAA duo’s inclusion signals WWE’s ongoing investment in international talent and partnering promotions to diversify its roster and appeal.

Looking Ahead

With John Cena’s apparent babyface turn and the continued ascendancy of talents like Giulia, WWE is ramping up anticipation for SummerSlam 2025, scheduled to be a marquee event packed with high-stakes matches and narrative payoffs. The SmackDown episode from August 1 set a potent tone for the weekend festivities, artfully blending character development, championship intrigue, and cross-promotional surprises that have fans eagerly awaiting what comes next.

For ongoing WWE news and live updates, fans can follow official WWE platforms as well as trusted outlets such as Fightful, PW Torch, and Wrestling Headlines to stay abreast of all developments leading into SummerSlam 2025.

Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, PW Torch, Pro Wrestling Dot Net, Wrestling Headlines, Last Word on Sports.