John Cena kicked off tonight’s SmackDown after Clash In Paris. Fans chanted “Thank You, Cena” and Cena said that means a lot coming from Chicago – thank you! Cena said he has nothing planned for tonight because he wants to have fun, and he’s going to take it in.
Cena said Chicago is special and they make people come back to WWE, and they know what he’s talking about. Fans started chanting “AJ Lee” and Cena said fans are in for one hell of a night. Cena said this is his final SmackDown and there is no argument in his mind – this is the greatest crowd in WWE history.
United States Champion Sami Zayn came out. Sami began speaking and fans booed. Sami said he’s here on behalf of the WWE roster to say thank you to Cena and he wants to thank Cena for what he did for him. Sami said he made his debut against Cena for the U.S. Title.
Sami said, with Cena’s permission, he wants to introduce the Sami Zayn U.S. Title Open Challenge. Cena gave him his blessing and began to leave. Sami said stopped him and said it would be his honor to give Cena a shot at the United States Championship tonight in Cena’s final blue brand appearance.
Zayn quoted Cena: you want some, come get some. Cena accepted the challenge.
During the match, fans chanted “Sami Sucks.” Cena paid tribute to Kurt Angle during the match by hitting the Angle Slam and applying the Ankle Lock. Cena also hit the Pop Up Powerbomb to pay tribute to Kevin Owens. When Cena locked in the STF, Michael Cole went old school and called it the STFU.
Sami kicked out of 2 Attitude Adjustments. Sami hit Cena with an AA too. Cena got dropped on the back of his head during the Exploder Suplex in the corner. Sami hit the Helluva Kick, but Cena kicked out. Cena hit Sami with the GTS, but Sami kicked out.
Cena paid tribute to Edge (Adam Copeland in AEW) by doing the spear and the pre-move hype. However, Cole said Cena paid tribute to the former Big Dog (referring to Roman Reigns). Fans chanted “RKO” next. Cena went for the RKO, but Sami countered. Cena hit the Avalanche AA from the second rope and both men are down, and Brock Lesnar’s music hits and out comes The Beast!
Lesnar took the referee out of the ring and delivered an F5 to Sami. Lesnar then hit Cena with 2 with F5s before leaving.
Backstage, Lesnar said the following while looking into the camera:
“Hey John, I’ll see you at Wrestlepalooza, b*tch.”
WWE then officially announced Lesnar vs. Cena for Wrestlepalooza on September 20.
