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- Michael Cole apologizes to fans following major SmackDown glitch
Michael Cole apologizes to fans following major SmackDown glitch
CM Punk brings back ghost from John Cena's past on WWE SmackDown
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TOP STORIES TODAY
On WWE SmackDown, Michael Cole stepped in for Joe Tessitore on commentary, but the broadcast was disrupted by a major technical issue. A blackout halted the show for over 30 minutes, prompting fans to flood WWE’s official X account with questions.
Netflix eventually resolved the issue and brought the show back online. Upon return, Cole issued an apology to international viewers for the interruption, though the cause of the blackout was never officially disclosed. Unfortunately, the segment between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, where tensions reportedly flared despite their friendship, concluded during the outage, leaving fans in the dark about what exactly went down.
 Giulia captured her first main roster title by defeating Zelina Vega for the WWE Women’s United States Championship on SmackDown. The match was a fast-paced battle, with both competitors trading rollups early on. Vega gained momentum with a dive to the outside before the commercial break, but Giulia regained control once the action resumed. Vega fought back with a Meteora on the outside and nearly sealed the win with a Code Red, only for Giulia to escape by reaching the ropes. The Japanese star then delivered the Northern Lights Bomb to secure the victory and the championship. This marked Vega’s second title defense since winning the belt from Chelsea Green in April. For Giulia, who recently made her SmackDown debut after a dominant NXT run, it’s a huge milestone and a powerful statement of her arrival on the main roster. |  On this week’s WWE SmackDown, CM Punk delivered a hilarious and scathing parody of John Cena ahead of their Night of Champions 2025 clash. Dressed in Cena’s old “Doctor of Thuganomics” gear, Punk hit the ring with a throwback rap segment that mercilessly mocked his longtime rival. Punk accused Cena of burying more talent than The Undertaker and took shots at his in-ring skills, calling him a “washed-up bum.” He even claimed Cena stole the famous “pipe bomb” style promo from him. Wrapping up the segment, The Second City Saint vowed to dethrone The Cenation Leader and walk out as Undisputed WWE Champion at Night of Champions. |
FROM THE RUMOR MILL
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes were set for a tense final face-off ahead of their King of the Ring tournament clash at Night of Champions. However, the segment on SmackDown was unexpectedly cut short due to a technical failure that left fans in the dark.
According to PWInsider, a power outage in Riyadh impacted WWE’s entire production setup, including the control room and gorilla position, making it impossible for the company to manage the show’s broadcast or live elements. The issue originated at the venue itself and was not related to Netflix’s streaming service.
TOP FEATURES
CM Punk vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions has fans buzzing, especially given the unpredictable nature of their storied rivalry. While many expect Cena to retain, WWE could deliver a major twist that shakes up the landscape entirely.
Speculation is swirling that Keith Lee, the 40-year-old AEW star and former WWE standout, could make a shocking return after 1,332 days away from the company. Released on November 4, 2021, Lee’s comeback, especially during a high-stakes title match, would be a monumental moment. With Triple H known for pulling off surprise returns, Lee’s reappearance could tip the scales in a big way.
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Dominik Mysterio to turn face to lose Intercontinental Title and reunite with WWE legend? - Dirty Dom may not be a champion for too long.
ANALYSIS CORNER
Just 24 hours before his high-stakes WWE Championship match at Night of Champions, CM Punk transformed into the “voice of Chicago hip-hop” in a blistering segment that electrified Riyadh. Dressed head-to-toe in throwback “Doctor of Thuganomics”-style gear, Punk unleashed a savage diss track on John Cena complete with theme music, attitude, and pinpoint lyrical shots.
On the 14th anniversary of his legendary Pipebomb, Punk flipped the script with sharp callbacks to Cena’s wrestling, pre-wrestling, and Hollywood careers. What began as a controversial week for the former WWE Champion ended with the crowd chanting his name in unison. In just a few minutes, Punk turned a pro-Cena arena into a sea of CM Punk believers, setting the stage for a seismic title clash.
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5 reasons Giulia defeated Zelina Vega to become the new WWE Women's United States Champion on SmackDown - A new champion was crowned.
5 Superstars who could help John Cena beat CM Punk at WWE Night of Champions - Cena may be looking for all the help he can get.
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