WWE Friday Night SmackDown: UK start time, matches announced, and is Disney now involved with the company?

• The fallout from WWE SummerSlam 2025 continues this evening on WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
• Both Cody Rhodes and John Cena are set to appear to address the conclusion of Sunday’s main event, including one shocking return.
• Here’s your preview for tonight’s episode of SmackDown, the UK start time and how Disney are now involved with the WWE.

It’s been an interesting week in the world of the WWE; controversial returns, title changes and a brand new deal involving Disney.

All just another week for the company, right?

As the fallout from SummerSlam 2025 continues, Cody Rhodes kicks off a brand new chapter as your WWE Champion once again - no longer the Undisputed championship, as the WWE have now renamed the title after ‘The American Nightmare’s’ win over John Cena.

But while some are asking what’s next for Rhodes on the road to both the next PLE, Clash in Paris, others have questions about the return of one former WWE superstar, Brock Lesnar.

The ‘Beast Incarnate’ made his shocking return to the company on Sunday evening, leaving John Cena in a pile in the middle of the ring after hitting him with his signature F5, prompting many now to believe that a Cena v Lesnar match in Paris could be on the cards.

But that hasn’t sat well with some wrestling fans, owing to Brock Lesnar’s effectively being named in a civil lawsuit filed by Janel Grant, with some fans believing that his return is perhaps not warranted, but also tone deaf given the accusations levied against him.

But, as Paul Heyman stated in his interview with Ariel Helwani earlier this week, the crowd seem into it - and in the business of wrestling, the heat from the crowd is all that matters... good heat, mind you.

As that quagmire continues, here’s a look at tonight’s announced segments for WWE SmackDown, the UK start time and a bit more about how Disney are now involved with TKO and the WWE.

WWE Friday Night SmackDown preview - August 8 2025

Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown as the WWE Champion

After a brutal Street Fight at SummerSlam, the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes returns to the blue brand. He is now a two-time WWE Champion after dethroning John Cena in a hard-fought match that left both men battered and bruised. The victory marks a significant chapter in his story, as he finally reclaimed the title he lost at WrestleMania 41.

Now that he's back on top, the question is what's next for ‘The American Nightmare.’ Rhodes is sure to have a target on his back, with the entire locker room looking to challenge the new champion. Tonight, he'll likely address his victory and the future, but will he be met with new challengers or an old foe?

John Cena addresses the shocking return of Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam

The shocking conclusion to SummerSlam saw the surprise return of ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar. After an emotional match that saw him lose the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes, John Cena was left alone in the ring, basking in the applause of the WWE Universe, only for Lesnar to appear and lay him out with a devastating F-5.