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On Friday night, WWE returns to Chicago for what is set up to be a massive edition of WWE SmackDown. The card inside the Allstate Arena will continue the fallout from WWE Clash in Paris this past weekend. However, there are some huge returns rumored for the event.
WWE Raw star CM Punk will make a rare SmackDown appearance and could potentially reveal the long-awaited return of his wife, and former WWE Divas Champion, AJ Lee. Not to be outdone, John Cena will make what is expected to be his final appearance on SmackDown, and could come face-to-face with long-time rival Brock Lesnar.
Get caught up with all the WWE SmackDown results, top highlights, and match grades below.
Related: WWE SmackDown Spoiler – Another Huge Return Rumored For Friday Besides AJ Lee
John Cena Makes Final SmackDown Appearance
Cena opened the show, letting Chicago fans know how much he appreciated them and why it was his all-time favorite crowd to compete in front of. And Chi-Town showed the love back. However, before the legend could say goodbye, he was surprisingly interrupted by new US Champ Sami Zayn. He would thank Cena for what he has done for the company and remind him that his debut was for the US title against Cena many moons ago. That led him to ask to restart the US title open challenge and request the icon be his first opponent.
- Grade: B+
John Cena vs. Sami Zayn (C) – Men’s United States Title Match
As you would expect from a pair of gifted and entertaining veteran wrestlers, Cena vs. Zayn was highly entertaining. And it again featured the legend paying homage to his rivals. Including a Go to Sleep like CM Punk and a Spear like Edge/Adam Copeland. But also, as rumored, before Cena could lock up a win, he got another visit from “The Beast Incarnate,” Brock Lesnar.
- Winner: Disqualification
- Grade: B+
Damian Priest vs. Aliester Black
Damian Priest and Aliester Black continued their rivalry with a physical and hard-hitting match on WWE SmackDown. The match featured several notable spots, including Priest hitting a nasty Razor’s Edge to Black on the announce table. However, the latter used the referee to avoid being hit with a South of Heaven and landed a Black Mask when Priest’s guard was down to get a surprise win.
- Winner: Aleister Black
- Grade: B
Giulia (C) vs. Michin – Women’s United States Title Match
Giulia and Michin are two rock-solid veteran wrestlers, and they delivered a solid match. Unsurprisingly, Kiana James got involved and distracted the challenger. Leading to a successful title defense for the women’s US champ.
- Winner: Giulia
- Grade: C
CM Punk and AJ Lee (!) Return To Chicago
This week’s WWE SmackDown ended with Punk’s highly anticipated return to Chicago. But Becky Lynch was first to the ring to, of course, trash-talk Chi-Town. However, that was interrupted by the fan favorite. After a verbal exchange, the Intercontinental Champ again assaulted Punk. Leaving him no choice. And what WWE fans have wanted for over a decade happened. AJ Lee is back! She returned looking and moving just like the legend we remembered and put a hurting on Lynch.
- Grade: A
