WWE SmackDown Preview - August 08, 2025: SummerSlam Fallout Shockwaves, Brock Lesnar’s Absence Stirs Confusion, Cena Calling Him Out, Cody’s Reign in Jeopardy
Montreal braces for SummerSlam fallout without The Beast on the bill.
WWE SmackDown goes live tonight (Aug. 8) from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada — kicking off the four-week road to Clash in Paris on Aug. 31.
But in a twist no one saw coming, Brock Lesnar, who made a shocking return at the close of SummerSlam, is nowhere to be found on WWE’s official lineup for the week.
Lesnar stormed back into WWE on Sunday night, delivering an F-5 to newly-turned babyface John Cena in a moment that had the wrestling world buzzing — and debating. His reappearance came after a two-year absence that many believed was permanent, with rumors swirling about an internal ban. Yet, The Beast wasn't booked for Raw, and he’s not advertised for tonight’s SmackDown either.
Of course, this doesn’t rule out a surprise, because we know how WWE has pulled that card many times — but for now, the silence is deafening.
One possible reason? WWE may be recalibrating the Lesnar–Heyman dynamic in storyline. History shows that Lesnar’s solo mic work can be… unpredictable. When he returned in 2012 to reignite his rivalry with Cena, his contract-signing promo went off the rails, producing gems like, “This is a real feeling that you’re feeling, because I can feel it.” Within weeks, Vince McMahon had Paul Heyman back by his side to steer the ship.
If Brock stays off camera tonight, Cena is left to carry the narrative alone — addressing the attack, setting the emotional tone, and possibly hinting at when (and where) the inevitable clash will happen. Will WWE lock in Cena vs. Lesnar for Clash in Paris? Or will they slow-burn it into the fall?
🪟 SmackDown Preview For Tonight
- WWE Champion Cody Rhodes appears live. With the Cena rivalry behind him, who’s next in line? Could Drew McIntyre be angling for the belt — and possibly Cody’s place in the ongoing McIntyre/Orton/Logan Paul chaos?
- Tiffany Stratton silenced Jade Cargill at SummerSlam to retain her WWE Women’s Championship. What’s next for Jade after faltering on the big stage?
- Wyatt Sicks stand tall as SmackDown Tag Team Champions after ladder match success. Will any team dare to challenge Uncle Howdy’s faction head-on?
- Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair hold the Women’s Tag Titles — but are they partners or frenemies? Could Chelsea Green and the “Secret Hervice” be their first blue-brand test?
- Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu rivalry burns on after steel cage interference. Can GM Nick Aldis create a stipulation that actually keeps Solo’s crew out?
- Giulia retained her Women’s U.S. Title over Zelina Vega in a match that didn’t even make the SummerSlam card. Could Kiana James maneuver her client into a higher-profile defense?
- Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest intensifies after Black’s calculated DQ and post-match attack.
- R-Truth reacts to his childhood hero’s babyface turn.
- Will more AAA stars like Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown crash SmackDown?
🗣️Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Lesnar’s absence so soon after such a polarizing return has industry insiders talking. Behind the curtain, there’s speculation that WWE and parent company TKO may be carefully navigating the PR fallout from bringing The Beast back into the fold. Social media reaction has been split — with some fans thrilled, and others calling it a misstep given past controversies. If Lesnar does show up tonight, expect WWE to tread carefully in how he’s presented. The company can’t afford to let the backlash overshadow the Clash in Paris build, and TKO definitely won't let anything spoil their Wallstreet jackpot they've been on a roll with.
