This Friday night, USA Network will broadcast another live episode of WWE SmackDown, live from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. You can check out live coverage of the show starting at 8 PM here on Wrestling Notícias.
Matches:
- Giulia (c) vs. Michin – WWE Women’s United States Championship Match;
- Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black;
Attractions:
- John Cena will say goodbye to Chicago tonight;
- Sami Zayn will return to WWE SmackDown as United States Champion;
Coverage:
Tonight’s show kicks off with some earlier-today footage, showing several names arriving for the event, including Damian Priest, Giulia, Kiana James, and CM Punk.
Live from the Allstate Arena, Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the broadcast. We’re then shown one of the highlights from WWE Clash in Paris, featuring the Fatal 4-Way Match for the World Heavyweight Championship, where Seth Rollins retained his title thanks to unexpected help from Becky Lynch.
Back in the arena, John Cena’s music hits. The 17-time World Champion makes his way to the ring to a huge ovation from the crowd. Visibly emotional with the support of the fans, Cena greets the Chicago crowd, saying the city’s fans have no idea how much this means to him. Cena recalls the past, where everything began, and that’s why he’s in Chicago. He says he has nothing planned for tonight, so all he wants is to have fun. Cena explains that he has already given so much during his farewell tour, which is why tonight he simply wants to enjoy himself with the fans.
Cena points out that normally these same Chicago fans would boo him, but with 14,000 people in attendance tonight, he says things feel completely different. He highlights how Chicago’s energy makes people want to come back to the city. Cena then asks if the fans are ready for a big night, because this will be his last time in Chicago, and also on SmackDown. He says that for that reason, he wants tonight to be beautiful, just like it was 22 years ago when it all started in this very arena, facing Kurt Angle.
Cena recalls having faced Triple H at a WrestleMania in this arena, having issued open challenges for the WWE United States Championship, and also losing a historic match to CM Punk. Cena declares there’s no debate about the loudest crowd in the world, firmly giving that title to Chicago. Finally, Cena thanks the city, saying its fans have always been honest with him, and that honesty is what allowed him to reach the heights he did. Cena thanks the crowd for everything, wishing everyone a good night. Sami Zayn’s music hits.
With loud support from the fans, the new WWE United States Champion makes his way to the ring. However, as he begins to speak, Zayn is suddenly met with boos. Zayn turns to Cena, acknowledging that the farewell tour is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say goodbye to the fans. Cena jokes back, saying he also came out for happy hour.
Zayn continues, saying he couldn’t hold himself back backstage without coming out to thank Cena on behalf of the entire locker room for everything he’s done. Zayn recalls that in this very arena, he made his WWE debut against Cena in an open challenge for the United States Championship.
Zayn then says he wants to return the favor, and if Cena allows, he wants to put his title on the line in an open challenge. Cena responds that he admires a fighting champion and supports the idea. Cena begins to leave the ring, but Zayn calls him back. Zayn explains that ten years ago, he was in Cena’s shoes, practically out of WWE, when he was given an opportunity. Now, Zayn says he wants to give Cena that same chance, offering him a shot at the United States Championship as payback for what was once done for him.
The Chicago crowd erupts, as Zayn wants the match right now. Cena shakes Zayn’s hand, and a referee rushes to the ring, making the match official.
WWE United States Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. John Cena
– The match ends without a winner after Brock Lesnar interferes.
Lesnar attacks the referee, dragging him out of the ring. Taking advantage of Zayn and Cena being down and exhausted, Lesnar enters the ring and delivers the F5 to both men, hitting Cena with two of them. The segment ends with Lesnar smiling on the entrance ramp.
Backstage, Brock Lesnar challenges John Cena for Wrestlepalooza. Shortly after, WWE officially confirms the match.
Carmelo Hayes runs into a rushed Nick Aldis and says he wants a chance to face Sami Zayn. Aldis replies that it’s not a good time. The Miz suddenly butts in, asking Aldis for another shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship for him and Hayes. Still in a hurry, Aldis says he’ll consider it and walks away. Hayes complains to Miz about the interruption. Nearby, a black car pulls up in the arena’s parking lot. Stepping out of it is Becky Lynch.
Singles Match: Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest
– black lands a “Black Mass” on Priest, followed by a pinfall.
After a promotional video highlighting the rivalry between Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre, it is announced that the two will face each other on next week’s show. In addition, Tiffany Stratton will defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill, and Brock Lesnar is set to make a special appearance.
Backstage, Tiffany Stratton confidently states in an interview that she will overcome Jade Cargill next week. Elsewhere in the arena, Nia Jax approaches Cargill and claims that she should be the champion right now, but was sabotaged. Cargill cuts her off, telling her to stop talking. She adds that once she becomes champion next week, Jax will be her first challenger—but for now, she orders her to leave immediately.
Inside one of the arena’s locker rooms, Nick Aldis runs into Becky Lynch. Aldis questions her presence on SmackDown, and she replies that she was invited. Aldis says he’s already got plenty of problems to deal with tonight, meaning he doesn’t want Lynch causing any new ones. Lynch answers that he doesn’t need to worry—after all, she never causes trouble.
WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) w/ Kiana James vs. Michin
– Giulia lands a “Hight Knee” on Michin, followed by a pinfall.
After the match, Kiana James lands several punches on Michin before celebrating together with Giulia.
We now see a video from last week, when Secret Hervice injured Charlotte Flair’s knee and also attacked Alexa Bliss.
In the medical room, Charlotte Flair is lamenting about her knee when Alexa Bliss arrives with her doll, Lilly. Bliss checks Flair’s heartbeat and says she seems fine. Flair insists she wants a real doctor. Bliss replies that she can handle it. She says that, because of their friendship, she and Lilly will help Flair.
Back at ringside, Seth Rollins’ music hits, and the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring. He’ll have the mic right after the commercial break.
Back from the break, Rollins is out in the crowd, greeting Chicago. Rollins says tonight is historic, because the legend of CM Punk will die right here and now. The fans break out in chants for Punk. Rollins mocks the crowd and says he’s about to introduce the greatest woman in the industry—his wife, Becky Lynch. Lynch’s music hits, and under a wave of loud boos, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion makes her way to the ring.
As soon as Lynch steps into the ring, the crowd starts chanting for AJ Lee. Lynch gets irritated and demands to know how the fans dare chant for another name while the greatest of all time is standing right in front of them. Lynch says multiple magazines have called her that, but the lack of recognition is typical of the Chicago crowd. She mocks the city’s sports teams, saying that just like the fans, they all stink—including CM Punk. Suddenly, Cult of Personality hits, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Punk makes his way to the ring, watched closely by Rollins from the stands and by Lynch standing right in front of him. Once inside, Punk tells Lynch that this isn’t about her—it’s about the coward Rollins hiding out in the crowd. Lynch fires back, asking if Punk is ashamed. Punk snaps that the only one who should be ashamed is Rollins, who, just like Paul Heyman taught him, is hiding. Punk insists this has nothing to do with Lynch.
Lynch mocks Punk, taunting him about his face and his pride. The crowd breaks into chants for AJ Lee. Lynch angrily yells at the fans to shut up. Punk says tonight Lynch should let the people chant whatever they want—after all, this is Chicago. Punk adds that he could easily call his sisters to jump the barricade and beat her down. Lynch dares them to try and even asks if there’s anyone else. Punk then brings up Rhea Ripley. Lynch slaps Punk repeatedly across the face.
Frustrated, Punk leaves the ring and stops near the entrance ramp while Lynch hurls insults at him. Rollins laughs hysterically from the stands. Punk says he’d rather avoid this, but since he can’t bring himself to hit a woman, he feels obligated to call someone who can. AJ Lee’s music hits, sending the Chicago crowd into a frenzy. Lee skips her way to the ring in her trademark style, while Lynch is left stunned inside the ring.
Inside the ring, Lee stares down Lynch before the Irishwoman makes the first move. Lee quickly takes control, unloading punches on Lynch. She positions her and delivers a brutal slap across the face, sending Lynch crashing out of the ring. Rollins rushes down to ringside to help his wife, while Punk stands proudly next to Lee.
The show closes with Punk and Lee celebrating inside the ring as Rollins and Lynch look on in shock from the entrance ramp.
End of show.