WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray recently weighed in on the September 5, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown, suggesting that some promising matches were doomed to underperform due to being overshadowed by John Cena’s high-profile bout with Sami Zayn and the much-publicized return of AJ Lee. According to Ray, these two headline moments inadvertently stole the spotlight from other segments on the show, affecting their overall impact and audience reception[2].
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Bully Ray expressed that while the Cena-Zayn match was a marquee attraction and AJ Lee’s surprise comeback generated legitimate buzz, their presence made it difficult for other matches to gain traction. “You had John Cena, one of WWE’s biggest stars, going toe-to-toe with Sami Zayn, who’s been having a breakout year. Then add AJ Lee coming back — that kind of spotlight is going to dominate the evening,” Ray explained. “That leaves the other matches fighting for scraps, and they never get the chance to really shine the way they could,” he added[2].
Sources close to WWE behind the scenes have echoed a similar sentiment, revealing that the company had high hopes for matches earlier on the card but feared that the crowd’s energy and interest heavily favored the Cena-Zayn showdown and AJ Lee’s unexpected return segment. The insider noted, “It’s great that WWE can book such attention-grabbing moments, but the timing was rough for some of the other talent. The match dynamics and crowd responses were clearly swayed by the hype from the top-billed matches”[2].
According to the WWE.com recap of SmackDown that night, the event featured several other bouts including tag team clashes and emerging rivalries, which were reportedly solid but lacked the high-profile spotlight. Fightful’s coverage also pointed out that the overall pacing of the show might have contributed to certain match segments feeling abbreviated or less impactful[2]. This aligns with Bully Ray’s take—that some matches were set up to fail from the outset given the stacked card.
Industry analysts suggest that WWE’s challenge remains balancing legacy stars and fresh returns with the ongoing push for younger or mid-card talent. Bully Ray’s analysis underscores this dilemma by emphasizing the risk of overshadowing newer storylines with big attraction moments. “You want those legacy moments to happen, no doubt,” he said, “but it has to be about timing and card placement so everyone gets their moment in the sun”—a balance WWE is still navigating in 2025[2].
Looking ahead, wrestling fans and insiders alike are intrigued to see how WWE will structure future SmackDown events to avoid similar scenarios where multiple major attractions cancel each other out. As revealed in backstage reports, the company is aware of the criticism and is considering adjusting the card distribution and promotional focus to better highlight all performers rather than clustering star power in one segment[2].
In sum, Bully Ray’s candid observations provide valuable insight into the complexities of booking a show like WWE SmackDown, where high-caliber talent and special returns can both elevate the brand and inadvertently hinder other performers. WWE’s ability to optimize the balance between established stars, surprise returns, and emerging talents in upcoming events will be crucial for sustaining audience engagement and showcasing the full scope of its roster.
This WWE insider viewpoint, backed by reviews from WWE.com, Fightful, and interview excerpts, emphasizes that understanding fan attention and pacing is as important as the matches themselves in crafting a memorable WWE SmackDown experience. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on major returns and top-tier encounters, but the hope is for a more evenly distributed showcase so all matches can receive the recognition they deserve[2].