At Friday Night SmackDown in Chicago’s Allstate Arena, Brock Lesnar made a dramatic return that sent shockwaves through the show, attacking both John Cena and Sami Zayn during a highly anticipated United States Championship match. Lesnar’s unexpected intervention culminated in multiple F5s, setting the stage for a major showdown at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event, confirming the bout officially on the spot. This landmark moment delivered the much-talked-about Brock Lesnar returns SmackDown destruction fans had eagerly awaited.
John Cena and Sami Zayn Deliver a Memorable Final SmackDown Bout
John Cena’s final appearance on SmackDown, 23 years after his debut on the brand, was marked by an intense match with the current United States Champion Sami Zayn. The match began after Zayn challenged Cena to support his own version of the United States Championship open challenge, paying homage to Cena’s original effort that helped elevate new talent a decade ago. This contest unfolded with Zayn adopting a heel role, forcing Cena to fight from underneath and creating a thrilling back-and-forth encounter that captivated the arena. Cena scored a decisive Avalanche Attitude Adjustment, but both competitors were soon incapacitated, providing Brock Lesnar the opportunity to reassert his dominance.
AJ Lee Returns to WWE Television After a Decade Away
In a major highlight, iconic former Divas Champion AJ Lee made her WWE return on SmackDown, her first television appearance in over ten years, energizing the Chicago crowd. Following her surprise appearance at WWE Clash in Paris, her on-screen comeback immediately stoked excitement heading into Wrestlepalooza. Her return is not merely a fleeting moment; AJ Lee is set to engage in a storyline involving CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Becky Lynch, with implications for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Observers noted that AJ is in exceptional physical shape and reunited on screen with her husband, adding emotional depth to her comeback.
Challenges Facing the SmackDown Women’s Division
The SmackDown Women’s Division remains in dire shape despite the injection of star power from AJ Lee and Becky Lynch, both currently aligned with RAW rather than SmackDown. Recent segments have failed to capture the audience’s interest, highlighted by three largely meaningless interactions backstage featuring Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Cathy Kelley. These exchanges lacked compelling storytelling and failed to generate crowd enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Giulia’s United States Championship defense against Michin drew an unresponsive reaction from the otherwise lively Chicago crowd, underscoring the division’s struggles to regain relevance and momentum.
Impact of Frequent Commercial Breaks and Mixed Broadcast Experiences
The pacing of SmackDown was notably hindered by an abundance of commercial interruptions, particularly during the show’s second hour, frustrating viewers—especially those watching on the USA Network in the United States who missed parts of the high-quality Cena vs. Zayn match. Conversely, international audiences on Netflix experienced fewer ads but endured prolonged periods of uninspired background music and repetitive event recaps by commentator Michael Cole. These issues detracted from what could have been an otherwise captivating broadcast, highlighting ongoing challenges with balancing commercial interests and viewer engagement on SmackDown.
Significance of Lesnar’s Return and Future SmackDown Storylines
Brock Lesnar’s explosive comeback dramatically altered the landscape of SmackDown, immediately elevating the intensity going into Wrestlepalooza while confirming his heavyweight presence on next week’s show. His attacks on two of the show’s top stars underscore WWE’s strategy to inject unpredictability and star power into SmackDown, keeping fans invested in high-profile matchups. Meanwhile, AJ Lee’s reintroduction and her alliance with CM Punk against established competitors anticipate renewed attention to the women’s division, although significant work remains to revive its overall competitiveness. With John Cena’s era on SmackDown concluding, the show appears ready to pivot towards fresh rivalries and storytelling centered around Brock Lesnar’s destructive force and emerging narratives ahead of Wrestlepalooza.
