16-time World heavyweight champion John Cena made his return to Smackdown Live last night, opening the show with an Independence Day-themed promo. It was his first time in a WWE ring since WrestleMania 33.
He touched on the rumors that he’s going Hollywood, and that he sold out. “They say I’m nothing more than a part-time mascot,” Cena said. “Well, allow me to retort. I’m not a part-timer, I am an all-timer and that means Monday Night Raw, that means Smackdown Live,” because if his time in WWE is limited, he’s going down in a blaze of glory.
He then started mentioning Superstars such as Brock Lesnar, Jinder Mahal, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins and others. “You line them up, I will knock everyone down.”
A new-look Rusev came out to interrupt him, his first televised appearance since the Fastlane pay-per-view back in February. Rusev told Cena that while he was in Hollywood, he was rehabbing his shoulder and complained that while Cena had commercials plugging his return, he had nothing. He mentioned the video message he sent to Shane and Daniel Bryan around two months ago but no one replied, and he’s tired of waiting.
Cena eventually challenged him to a match but Rusev backed out, ending the segment. It was then announced that the two will meet at Battleground in a flag match.
