WWE utilized a tape delay during the August 22 broadcast of Friday Night SmackDown from Dublin, Ireland, to edit the show’s concluding segment. The company reshot an attack by Logan Paul on John Cena to make the final punch appear more impactful after the initial take was deemed insufficient.
The segment featured SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis speaking with John Cena near an exit. Aldis brought up Brock Lesnar, but before he could deliver his full message, Logan Paul appeared. In the version of the segment that first aired, Paul threw a punch that visibly made little contact, though Cena sold the impact.
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Taking advantage of the tape delay for the U.S. broadcast, WWE replaced the footage. In the updated version, Nick Aldis was pushed aside as Logan Paul emerged from behind him, delivering a punch to Cena that connected with significantly more force.
While the physical confrontation was altered, the reference to Brock Lesnar by Aldis remained in the final cut. What the General Manager intended to say about Lesnar before the interruption was not revealed. The company had reportedly filmed two different endings for the show, ultimately choosing to pivot to the altercation with Logan Paul.
