The Second City Saint returns home!

SmackDown is in Chicago, and so is CM Punk! But will he find just the person needed to take down Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch on Raw?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn VS John Cena; No Contest, Sami retains the title.
• Damian Priest VS Aleister Black; Aleister wins.
• WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Mia Yim; Giulia wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

JOHN CENA is here!

Chicago erupts and sings My Time is Now as #TheLastTimeIsNow! Cena shows off the Cubs inspired shirt and towel, and he runs down the ramp to slide into the ring! The fans cheer more, and Mark Nash gives Cena his introduction. Cena grabs the mic, and the fans cheer even more as the song fades out. Cena takes a moment as the fans chant, “Thank You, Cena!” Cena says they have no idea what that means coming from Chicago, he loves them so much. He sees people jumping from the scoreboard limited-view-seats area just to be part of this special night. Cena remembers when the farewell tour started, all his peers and associates kept telling him, “Enjoy this, be present, and have fun.”

The fans cheer, and Cena wants us to understand, he was coming off a lot of bad years, he needed his mojo back, and he focused on doing great work, giving us his heart and soul, leaving it all in this ring every night of the tour. The reason he says that because he comes out to stand here tonight with absolutely nothing planned. Tonight, he just wanted to have fun. The fans cheer that! Cena says over half the tour, he’s given us everything. He’s had to overcome roadblocks, hurdles and pivots, and we’ve been with him every step of the way. But tonight, he’ll just take it all in. The fans cheer again, and again chant for “CENA! CENA!”

Cena says that is not a familiar sound in this building. See those guys there? He used to see 14 THOUSAND looking more like that, chanting something a bit different from, “Thank You, Cena.” Fill in the blanks. But that is what makes this night special, and what makes this city special, this building special, and these people special. The fans cheer again, and Cena says Chicago is not afraid to use their voice, to cheer for the ones they love, even if they’re not here. Hell, Chicago brings people back to the WWE, and we all know who he’s talking about! The fans chant “C M PUNK!” and “A J LEE!” Cena says are we in for an exciting night or what?

Cena continues to say that this is his last time in Chicago. The fans boo that, but Cena adds that this is also his last time ever on SmackDown. The fans boo more, but Cena views this as a beautiful moment. Because 23 years ago, in this very city, the fans allowed him on SmackDown to walk down this ramp, in his “skimpy little tights,” and slap Kurt Angle in the face to start this crazy ride that we have been on for over two decades! WrestleMania with HHH was in this building. There were US Championship Open Challenges in this building! This is where Cena ended up second place in a world title match with Punk, and that title ended up in Punk’s fridge.

This place IS special! There is an argument about “the greatest crowd in the WWE.” Cena says there is that argument among the superstars, but to him, there is no argument. Chicago allowed Cena to start here, and he is very, very thankful because they kept him honest, that he gave his all, that he experienced both failure and humility… The fans again chant, “Thank You, Cena!” Cena lets that soak in, and then he says, “And for the last time, when I really needed it the most, you let me experience joy. That’s the Chicago way.” The fans cheer again, and Cena says he has no other words other than thank you so much for this beautiful ride. Enjoy tonight!

The fans cheer again, but wait! Sami Zayn makes his way out here! Cena is a bit surprised, fans are a bit torn, but Sami goes to the ring, the WWE United States Championship around his waist. Sami waves to Chicago as he steps into the ring, and then he grabs himself a mic. Despite boos from Chicago, Sami says he isn’t interrupting. He just wants to say, watching Cena on his retirement tour, and Cena getting all his opportunities to thank the fans around the world… Cena says hey, it is Happy Hour in Chicago, he is here for the boos.

Sami says he just wants to say it’d feel wrong to come out here and not look Cena in the eyes on his last night on SmackDown, and not thank Cena on behalf of everyone in the back for everything Cena’s done for them! More specifically, Sami wants to thank Cena for everything he did for Sami. Sami knows Cena’s full circle moment is here, debuting in Chicago, and this is his last SmackDown ever. Sami made his debut against Cena for the US Championship. And now Sami is here as champion. Sami thinks of the Cena US Open Challenge and everything it did not just for him but for the other young talent.

Sami wants to pay it forward like how Cena did. Sami wants to carry this title with dignity and honor like Cena did, also while helping young talent get their moment. So with Cena’s blessing, Sami would like to carry on that tradition and reintroduce the US Championship Open Challenge. Cena says a fighting champion giving underrated superstars their opportunity… Cena says that is a great idea! He thanks Sami for that. Sami thanks Cena, but Sami wants Cena to hold on. The fans cheer Cena, Cena does step back inside the ring, and Sami says ten years ago, he barely had a foot in the door when Cena gave him his opportunity. Now, Cena has one foot out the door.

But if tonight IS Cena’s last SmackDown… And if tonight IS Sami’s last chance to share the ring with him… Then it’d be Sami’s honor to pay Cena back and give him what Sami gave him, and that is a shot at the US Championship! The fans cheer that! Now, let’s not do it in a month… Let’s not do it next week… Sami says we do it tonight in Chicago!  And we do it RIGHT NOW! The fans really fire up for that one! Cena is stunned but Chicago all says, “YES! YES! YES!” Sami says to quote the Greatest Of All Time… John Cena, if you want some, COME GET SOME! Cena says Sami wants to have a US Championship match with Cena, here and now?

The fans get fired up again, and Sami offers the handshake. Cena says what the hell, Sami’s on! They shake hands and the fans fire up! Will Cena get one last title reign? Or will Sami put quite the feather in his cap? We find out, after the break!

WWE United States Championship: Sami Zayn VS John Cena!

SmackDown returns, this match is underway, and Cena RUNS Sami over! Sami scrambles to ropes while the fans cheer. Cena waits on Sami, they reset, and they feel things out. The fans rally, “LET’S GO, CENA!” and the two tie up. Cena wrangles Sami, wrenches and wristlocks, then headlocks. Sami powers up and out, drops down, hurdles, then arm-drags! Sami grinds Cena down, Cena endures, and the fans rally. Cena fights up but Sami wrenches through to wristlock. Cena whips Sami away, drops down, then hurdles! Cena arm-drags Sami again, and he has the armlock again! Sami endures while the fans cheer.

Sami fights up, Cena wrenches and headlocks, and the fans sing. Sami goes to ropes but Cena whips. Sami goes up and over, clips Cena, then LARIATS him! Cover, TWO! Sami keeps his cool and he brings Cena up. Sami snap suplexes, then covers, TWO! Cena rises up but Sami is on him already. The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “Sami Sucks!” Sami tries to suplex but Cena fights it! Cena suplexes Sami in return! The fans fire up while both men are down! Cena and Sami rise up, Sami goes to a corner, and Cena runs in, but Sami dodges! Cena hits buckles and falls back! Sami brings Cena up, whips corner to corner hard, and Cena falls in a heap!

The fans boo but Sami looms over Cena. Sami drags Cena up, the fans rally again, and Sami whips Cena to the other corner. Cena hits hard again, and he falls back down. The fans boo but Sami ignores that to bring Cena up. Sami whips corner to corner again, but Cena reverses! Sami hits hard and bounces off the buckles! Both men are down and the fans fire up as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

The fans rally as both Cena and Sami rise up. Sami runs in, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Cena and Sami rise, Sami clinches first, but Cena fireman’s carries! Sami slips free, kicks low, and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Cena survives, Sami stays cool, and Sami brings Cena up. Sami fires a forearm and Cena falls back down. Sami looms over Cena, brings him back up, and DECKS him again! Cena reaches up, rises slowly, but Sami goes up the corner. Sami waits on Cena to stand, then hits the AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Sami is a bit frustrated, but like everyone, he knows Cena is tough.

Cena rises, Sami brings him around, but Cena dodges the haymaker to SHOULDER TACKLE! And SHOULDER TACKLE! And SPIN-OUT BOMB! Cena raises his hand and the fans fire up! He gets them even more fired up, then wants them to join in! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Sami scrambles around, staggers to his feet, and Cena fireman’s carries! But Sami fights free again! Sami slips around, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Cena survives and Sami is further frustrated, but the fans rally even more as SmackDown returns to single picture. “Let’s Go, Cena!” “Sami Sucks!”

Sami brings Cena up, Cena fireman’s carries! Sami fights free, kicks and knuckle locks, then goes up, up, and TORNADO- NO! Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cover, TWO!?! Sami survives and shocks everyone! Cena reaches over for Sami, but Sami rise up and flops towards a corner. Sami crawls, Cena stands, and Cena storms over, but into a CORNER- NO, Cena fights the clinch and kicks low! Cena whips, then POP-UP POWERBOMBS!? Cover, TWO!! Sami survives Cena’s shoutout to the Prizefighter! The fans rally up harder, perhaps blaming the ref on that one, but both men go to corners.

Cena runs in, but Sami dodges! Cena POSTS himself, Sami goes corner to corner, but Cena dodges! The kick gets stuck on the ropes! Cena hits an ANGLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives Cena’s tribute to the Olympic Gold Medalist! The fans rally as hard as they can while both men stir. Cena crawls around the way, brings Sami up, and he fires a haymaker! Sami wobbles, but he ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Sami! And repeat! The fans cheer Cena, they boo Sami, but then both men DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans fire up as both men are back down, and we go back to picture in picture.

Cena and Sami stir, and Cena grabs a leg! ANKLE LOCK!! Another shoutout to Angle! Sami endures while the fans go crazy! Sami rolls, kicks at Cena, but Cena just steps over! STF!! Cena uses the move he mastered to defeat Chris Masters and Sami again endures! Sami crawls forward, reaches out, but Cena drags Sami away! And back into the STF!! Sami flails, reaches out, claws at the mat even, and fights with his free leg to move forward! So Cena drags him back again! Sami BOOTS Cena away into buckles! Then Sami fireman’s carries?! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT?!? Cover, TWO!! Cena survives Sami’s take on his own move!

Cena crawls to a corner while the fans rally, “This is Awesome!” Sami rises, he fires the fans up, cheers and jeers alike, then he takes aim. Sami runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sami survives again and no one can believe it!! The fans are on their feet as SmackDown returns to single picture. Sami and Cena stir, and then Cena runs in! Sami catches Cena for a CORNER EXPLODER!! HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cena survives again and again, no one can believe it! Sami is shocked most of all, his best shots didn’t work! Chicago rallies as hard as they can as Cena stirs.

Sami drag Cena up, but Cena is a ragdoll. Sami puts Cena in the drop zone instead before he climbs up a corner. Sami reaches the top, but Cena is up! Sami leaps over Cena, but turns around into a fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!??! Cover, TWO!??! Cena using Punk’s move in Chicago, and it didn’t work! Cena thinks on what could work, and he grins as he goes RATED R! Sami rises, Cena runs in, SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sami survives again, Cena’s edge just wasn’t sharp enough! Fans are chanting for it, “R K O! R K O!” Could Cena be hearing voices? Cena stares Sami down as he rises up, and he coils like the Viper!

R K- NO! Sami shoves Cena, but Cena LARIATS in return! Cena puts Sami up top, then hops up to join him! Cena just escalates like with Logan Paul! But Sami fights with elbows! The fans boo but Cena still rises! AVALANCHE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Both men are down, Chicago is electric, “This is Awesome!” BUT HERE COMES THE PAIN!! The Beast, Brock Lesnar is in Chicago!! The fans go nuts as Lesnar grins and gets his pyro before going to the ring! Lesnar YANKS the ref outta the ring! He drags Sami up, F5!! And then he storms over to Cena! Now the fans boo, because Lesnar stands Cena up and fireman’s carries! F5!!

The Beast roars and the fans boo, but Cena’s most menacing, most powerful, and most destructive rival has returned to ruin things for him again! And he’s not done! ANOTHER F5!! The fans boo as Lesnar leaves, grinning as he goes. But will Lesnar look to end Cena’s farewell tour early? Or can Cena survive through the Fall?

Lesnar storms through backstage.

SmackDown returns, and The Beast says, “Hey, John. I’ll see you at WrestlePalooza, b*tch.” Lesnar storms off, is he about to turn Indianapolis into Suplex City?

Nick Aldis storms through backstage.

Carmelo Hayes walks up to the SmackDown General Manager, and Aldis says sorry, Melo, but now’s not a good time. Right, okay, but- NO, not now, Melo! But Sami Zayn is- The Miz steps in and says they would like an opportunity for the tag titles. The Wyatts ruined that #1 contenders match last week cuz they know #MeloDon’tMiz can beat them! Aldis will take this under consideration, but he has to go. Aldis leaves, Miz is happy, but Melo is not. Why does Miz keep doing stuff like this? Melo wants to speak for himself! Miz says at least they’re getting a tag title match. Melo didn’t want a tag title match!

Wait, a car pulls up to the arena. And out steps… BECKY LYNCH! The Man has come around to Chicago, three guesses as to why.

Aleister Black speaks.

“This. This is what you people wanted of me. See, I came home to the WWE hoping things would have changed, only to find out the well is still poisoned. And that brings me to you, Damian Priest. Tonight, you’re not just standing across from Aleister Black. You’re standing across from years of hate that this industry has carved into me. And I need to purify the well. And if that path leads to my own ruin, then so be it. I can be the king that falls on his own sword. But i will succeed, Damian Priest, because you are who you are, because you follow the rules. And I am who I am because I follow the rules, until I don’t.”

Damian Priest VS Aleister Black!

The Archer of Infamy has owed the Dark Father this fight ever since Aleister couldn’t let things with R-Truth go. These two finally have it out in the ring in a match, but will it end here? Or will things only escalate between these hardened warriors?

Aleister doesn’t even wait for his own entrance, he attacks Priest during his! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Priest ROCKS Aleister! Priest whips Aleister hard into barriers! Priest finally takes his coat off, but Aleister RAMS him into a post! And then KENES him over barriers! Aleister tells Priest this is what he asked for! Aleister goes to the ring while the fans are torn, and medics check on Priest. Aleister sits cross-legged in the center of the ring while he waits, and while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again, Priest is standing on stage and rather dazed from that fall. The refs want Priest to think about this, but he just barges through them to go to ringside! Priest won’t let Aleister “win,” but then Aleister stomps and kicks him from the apron! Aleister goes to the apron, but Priest THROWS him down! Aleister is right up to BUZZSAW! Priest sputters on the floor and the fans fire up. Aleister puts Priest in, the ref has him hold on, and the ref checks on Priest. Priest still insists they fight, so the bell rings. Aleister runs up, and he dodges the haymaker! Priest falls and Aleister grins. Aleister then BUZZSAWS Priest again!

Priest sits up in a daze, Aleister puts him in a corner, and Aleister fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Aleister backs off and he taunts Priest. Aleister kicks Priest around, ELBOWS him, then brings him up, But Priest ROCKS Aleister! Aleister BOOTS Priest, slips around, IRON OCTOPUS! Priest endures, the fans rally, but Aleister sunset flips, TWO! Aleister KICKS Priest’s leg, but Priest picks him up! Priest RAMS Aleister into a corner, but he hobbles away from what could be a concussion. Priest still blocks a kick, but not the KNEE! Aleister goes up, up, and METEORA! Cover, TWO! Priest toughs it out and the fans rally up while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Priest trips Aleister on the top rope! Aleister is stuck up there, and Priest shakes out the stars. Priest adjusts Aleister’s position up there, then has the crucifix! But Aleister fights free! Priest choke grips, but Aleister BACK ELBOWS! Both men wobble, and Aleister runs up to GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Aleister seethes. Aleister drags Priest up, puts him in a corner, and he talks trash. Priest shoves Aleister, then ROCKS him! Aleister wobbles, comes back, and Priest ROCKS him again! Aleister steadies himself to BOOT! Aleister runs in, Priest dodges, and Priest LARIATS!

The fans fire up while both men are down, and the ref makes sure Priest is alright. Priest rises, he pounds the mat, and the fans rally up again. Priest rises, Aleister follows, and Priest ROCKS Aleister! And ROCKS him again! And then DECKS him! Priest DECKS Aleister, KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! ROLLING ELBOW! Priest powers up, and he DECKS Aleister again! The fans fire up and Priest runs to ELBOW in the corner! But Aleister BOOTS in return! Aleister runs but Priest CLOBBERS him! Priest roars, the fans fire up, and Priest wrenches Aleister. Priest goes up the corner, goes Old School, and CROSSBODY!

Priest rises again, but Aleister bails out. Priest goes after Aleister, APRON FLATLINER! Aleister falls back, and Priest clears the desk! The fans fire up for that! Priest drags Aleister up, reels him in, and crucifix lift, RAZOR’S EDGE on the desk! The desk doesn’t break but maybe Priest just did! The fans want that again, but Priest puts Aleister in the ring. Priest slowly rolls in, and now Aleister wants mercy!? Priest laughs that off and brings the straps down instead. Priest storms up on Aleister in the corner, choke grips, and he drags Aleister up, Aleister grabs the ref to stop the choke slam! Aleister shoves the ref at Priest, Priest puts the ref aside, but BLACK MASS hits!! Cover, Aleister wins!

Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall

Priest fought through pain, but Aleister stooped to a surprising low just to take this win! Will Aleister now leave Priest in the dark to go for some gold?

SmackDown hears from Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre.

The Viper says, “You think that a man who’s been around here long enough to see what I am truly capable of would quit while he’s ahead and shut h is damn mouth.” But the Scottish Terminator wants to “make one thing perfectly clear: I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks about me. I’ve always told the truth and did what needs to be done, and the truth is… You’re just mad. You’re not willing to pull the trigger when it counts. But I am.” Randy says Drew must think he has the superpower to read minds, but he doesn’t. And trust Randy, if Drew did, he wouldn’t wanna know what the voices are saying.

Randy says Drew has no idea what is coming for him. But Drew says, “The winds of change are blowing through the WWE, and the future is being written. But you (Randy) won’t be a part of it. The WWE needs a real man, like me.” Randy vows to knock Drew back to reality with the three most dangerous letters in professional wrestling: R K O. The showdown happens next week on SmackDown, but who will survive?

Backstage interview with Tiffany Stratton.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Women’s Champion, and she brings up Tiff has her SummerSlam rematch with Jade Cargill for the title next week. Jade claims she would’ve won if not for the ropebreak, but what is Tiff’s response? Tiff says Jade says a lot of things, and while Tiff does love the sound of her own voice, it seems Jade just loves to run her mouth. Jade says Tiff is not on her level, that she’s The Storm, that she’ll take the title, but that talk ends next week when the bell rings. And Jade won’t worry about Tiff’s foot on the ropes, cuz Tiff is gonna stick her foot right up Jade’s… Well, let’s just call it “the eye of the storm.”

Jade Cargill finishes watching that.

The Storm is annoyed, but then Nia Jax walks in. Nia says it’s funny that Jade is watching film on Tiffy now, but uh, didn’t Jade lose at SummerSlam? Jade says Nia lost, too. Nia says whatever. Jade doesn’t deserve to be #1 contender since she got lucky that Becky Lynch ditched Nia. Jade says cut it. When Jade gets her title off “Blowup Barbie,” Nia can get her shot. But until then, get out of the way or catch these hands! Nia says see you soon, and Jade says bet. But will Jade bring an abrupt end to #TiffyTime? Or will Tiffy reign into the Fall?

Becky Lynch is in Nick Aldis’ office.

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion says hey to the SmackDown General Manager, shakes his hand and pats his shoulder while she says good to see him. Aldis admits, he had no idea she’d be here. Of course not, she invited herself. Well, Aldis is dealing with a lot. He knows they’re in Chicago, and that CM Punk is in the building. Oh, is he? Yes, which is why it isn’t that surprising to see Becky. But Aldis cannot have any more issues tonight, understood? Becky says she never causes issues. Yeah, sure… Becky says she’ll give him some space. Becky makes sure to pick up her belt on the way out, but will she really behave herself? Or is SmackDown in for some big time trouble?

WWE Women’s United States Championship: Giulia w/ Kiana James VS Mia Yim!

Speaking of titles, the champion’s manager could not hold Michin back, and now she has this match! Will Mia truly be the Head Baddie in Charge after tonight? Or will she soon succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

SmackDown returns and Mia makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can go the craziest in Chi-Town!

The bell rings and the fans rally. Kiana already starts shouting from the apron while Giulia and Mia fire hands! The ref reprimands and tells Kiana to back down. Mia backs Giulia down into a corner, stomps away, and Giulia bails out. Mia hurries and SMACKS Giulia off the apron! Mia puts Giulia in, then tells Kiana to back off. Mia hurries into the ring, she dodges Giulia, then dodges to redirect and DROPKICK! Giulia flounders, Mia brings her up, and Mia whips. Giulia reverses, Mia goes Spider-Woman! Giulia runs up but Mia dumps her out! Mia builds speed and slides, but Giulia blocks the dropkick! Giulia spins Mia around, DRAPING NECKBREAKER to the floor!

The fans are torn but Kiana talks trash while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Mia and Giulia trade forearm after forearm! Mia HAMMERS Giulia down, the fans fire up, and she rains HEADBUTTS! Giulia gives those back as she rises, but Mia HEADBUTTS again! Giulia staggers, but she dodges to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mia roars, rises up, and gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Giulia rises up, and they both SLAP! And they both SLAP again! Then they both ROUNDHOUSE! Both women fall and the fans rally up! Kiana coaches Giulia while she and Mia both stir. Mia and Giulia rise up, they fire more shots, then Mia fires a strike fest! PELE! Giulia falls again and scrambles to the corner.

Mia runs in and CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives and Mia is frustrated, but she drags Giulia up. Giulia refuses to Eat Da Feet, and she hammerlocks to scoop, GLORIOUS DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Giulia sits Mia up to KICK! And KICK! Mia sputters but Giulia winds up, only for Mia to block! Mia slips under to lift, and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives and Kiana is relieved. Mia drags Giulia up, wrenches, but now Kiana distracts! Mia just drop toeholds Giulia into Kiana! And then she SPIKE-RANAS Kiana from the ropes! But the ARRIVEDERCI KNEE hits!! Cover, Giulia wins!

Winner: Giulia, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s United States Champion)

Kiana’s assistance pays off, and now she beats up on Mia! The fans boo but Kiana talks trash on Mia, “Who do you think you are?!” The ref gets Kiana to back off, but will Miss Management and her client just move on to bigger and better?

Charlotte Flair is in medical.

The Queen cries, “Does nothing ever good happen to me in this city?” Alexa Bliss walks over and Charlotte asks, “What?” Alexa says, “Dr. Lily will see you now.” Alexa, you were supposed to get a real doctor! Charlotte needs to be cleared, like, yesterday. Alexa says don’t worry, Lily is trained. But they need to get revenge on Chelsea Green ASAP. Alexa uses her stethoscope, and Charlotte assures her, she has a heart, it is there. Alexa says they will get revenge on Chelsea, but now is not the time. Charlotte needs to rest, relax, and let the power of- Charlotte says she is not relaxed. And if she says you-know-what, maybe it will make her feel better.

Alexa says, “Power of… Friendship… heal your pain.” Alexa leaves, Charlotte asks Lily if she’s cleared or not. There are still questions to be answered, but will we see #Charlexa get their revenge on The Green Administration soon enough?

Seth Rollins is here?!

Yes, he is! And the WWE World Heavyweight Champion is up in the crowd! He’s wearing a Chicago Bears orange jacket, but will he be here for friendly reasons? We find out, after the break.

SmackDown returns as Rollins is still up in the stands, and as fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a mic to tell Chicago, “Tonight, we are all witnesses to history! Because the legend of your hero, C M Punk, DIES, right here, right now!” The fans boo but Rollins laughs. The fans chant for Punk, and Rollins says yes, chant his name one last time! “But to do the honors, let me introduce to you the greatest female wrestler in the history of Planet Earth! She is YOUR Intercontinental Champion, and she is MY sexy, brilliant, incredible, Irish wife! Chicago, welcome to the Big Time! I give you The Man, Becky Lynch!”

The fans are torn as Becky indeed makes her entrance from the stage and goes to the ring. Her orange jacket makes more sense now, it’s so she and Rollins can be matching. Becky holds up her belt in the ring as the fans boo, but Rollins holds up his title in return. Becky grabs herself a mic, but the fans chant for “A J LEE! A J LEE!” Becky is annoyed, and she says, “How dare you. How dare you chant another person’s name while I’m standing in this ring! I am the greatest female wrestler of all time! And it’s not just me saying it, other people say it! Sports Illustrated says it! The Chicago Tribune says it!”

The fans still boo, but Becky says classic Chicago. She wouldn’t expect them to know what greatness looks like! All their teams suck! The Blackhawks suck! The Cubs suck! The White Sox suck! The Bulls suck! Especially Coby White! He sucks so bad, the Bulls are trading his ass! And CM Punk SUCKS! The fans boo that most of all! But wait! Here comes Punk! The fans fire up as Becky and Rollins look to the stage. Rollins says yawn, but the fans still sing Cult of Personality. Punk walks out on stage, Rollins mockingly waves to him from the stands, but Punk tells the fans, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk then continues down the ramp and to the ring.

Punk steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and the fans all chant his name. Punk tells Becky, “This isn’t about you. This is about your coward of a husband who’s hiding in a box right now.” Becky says no, this is about her. And she’s surprised Punk showed up at all. Isn’t he embarrassed? Isn’t he? Punk says no, he has nothing to be embarrassed for, unlike her coward of a husband hiding up in the skybox, behind Heyman, behind his goons, and now his wife. Now, this has nothing to do with Becky… Becky asks how Punk’s face feeling. How’s his pride feeling? Punk seethes, but the fans chant for “A J LEE! A J LEE!”

Becky tells the fans to shut up! But Punk says no, let them chant that name! If it bothers Becky that much, maybe she shouldn’t have stuck her nose in his business. They’re in CHICAGO, you don’t think Punk’s got friends? He could snap his fingers and one of his sisters would jump the railing and beat Becky’s ass! Becky says wow, okay, bring it on! She’ll kick all their asses! Punk says, “You don’t think I could give a call to Bayley and have her come out here and beat your ass?” Becky says she’s kicked Bayley’s ass, too. Who else does Punk have? Oh, you don’t think Punk could call in a favor to The Eradicator, Rhea Ripley?

The fans do like that name, but Becky says, “I think…” SLAP! She taunts Punk with, “What’re you gonna do?” She slaps him more and more, asks where any of those “friends” are. Who’s gonna come save him? Becky gets in Punk’s face again, says he’s pathetic, and that he has no one. Punk steps out of the ring, Becky says good, go run away from his hometown. He’s an embarrassment to the city of Chicago, and that’s saying a lot! Punk goes around the outside and back to the ramp. “Becky, this is exactly the situation I wanted to avoid. Because you know, and I know, and everybody knows, I would never put my hands on a lady. Thankfully, I got somebody who will.”

And with that, A J LEE IS BACK!! The fans erupt as the song plays again, because it is once again time to light it up! AJ Lee smiles as she walks out on stage, and Becky has seen a ghost! AJ skips her way down the ramp, around the ring, and over to her hubby. AJ then looks at Becky in the ring, and Becky sheepishly wants AJ to hold on. AJ steps into the ring and the fans start losing their mind! Becky gets mad, runs up, but AJ TACKLES her! The fans fire up as AJ HAMMERS Becky! Becky kicks free, but AJ grabs at Becky before she can get away! The fans fire up as AJ has Becky by her hair, and THROWS her down! Then THESZ PRESS!

AJ rains down more fists, Becky gets free again, but she can’t get away! AJ has Becky by the hair, puts some stank on her hand, and SLAPS Becky down! The fans are thunderous as Becky goes scrambling away! Rollins is in the front row now and Punk dares him to come get his girl. The fans chant for AJ, and then Punk joins her in the ring. Rollins scrambles over to get Becky up to her feet, and AJ leaps into Punk’s arms! The Visionary & Man are freaking out, but will they find they’re far from the real power couple in WWE?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for SmackDown, but it felt far too slapped together for having a whole week to plan and what not. Granted, looking at how Lesnar was involved, maybe they wanted to make sure all things were to his liking. Cena had a great promo to say farewell to Chicago and SmackDown, and Sami wanting to give Cena one last title match on TV was a great move. Not sure what Chicago booing Sami is about, but the match was awesome, and you gotta love Cena busting out more moves from old rivals, and even Sami trying the AA for himself. But Lesnar “ruining” the match was a logical move to not only bring him back to TV but to keep there from being a winner.

Cena VS Lesnar for WrestlePalooza was the obvious move given it’s the start to the ESPN Era. That’s big money and that’s what Lesnar likes. Good promo from Melo & Miz with Aldis, though a quick one. Very good promos from Drew and Randy to build up their match for next week. Not saving this for WrestlePalooza makes me think Cody Rhodes returns and he faces Drew for WrestlePalooza but I guess we’ll wait and see. Great stuff with Priest VS Aleister, such as Priest selling dizziness from the ambush and the fall into the crowd. Aleister bending rules to win was an interesting move, but he did need the win.

Good promos from Tiffany, as well as Jade with Nia, to hype up their title match for next week. I can only see them doing this because Jade will win, but doing so on TV would be very surprising. Fun little promo from Charlotte & Alexa to kayfabe Charlotte needing medical clearance, though this is likely just an excuse to delay the tag title showdown until WrestlePalooza. There’s also the Women’s Tag Triple Threat over on NXT, WWE probably just wants to have all their ducks in a row before deciding the fate of the titles. Giulia VS Mia deserved to be a better match than this, but perhaps time constraints got in the way. It also seemed like Kiana wasn’t 100% sure on her cues, but it still worked out in the end.

And of course, a great confrontation between The Vision and CM Punk. And naturally, as everyone was expected, wanted, and hoped for, AJ Lee returns! She got to slap Becky around and run her off, and this clearly means a Mixed Tag for WrestlePalooza. WWE wants to go big to not just debut on this ESPN streaming service, but to follow/counter program AEW All Out. AEW already moved All Out up several hours just to avoid too much overlap, and I personally will have to get through All Out before I start WrestlePalooza, but all of this can only mean good things (quantity wise) for wrestling fans.

My Score: 8.8/10