John Cena vs. Sami Zayn Ends in Chaos as Brock Lesnar Returns to WWE SmackDown in Chicago

WWE SmackDown kicked off in unforgettable fashion as John Cena laced up his boots one final time on the blue brand in Chicago. His farewell appearance turned into an instant classic when Sami Zayn stepped up and issued a challenge, igniting a match that had the Allstate Arena on its feet from bell to bell.

Cena Pulls Out All the Stops

The bout quickly escalated into a war of endurance. Cena dug deep into his arsenal, hitting two Attitude Adjustments, applying Kurt Angle’s ankle lock variation of the STF, and even paying homage to CM Punk with a Go to Sleep in front of Punk’s hometown crowd. None of it was enough to keep Zayn down.

As the near-falls piled up, Cena’s frustration became evident. He even connected with a thunderous spear, seemingly tipping his cap to Goldberg, but Zayn still found a way to kick out. The crowd roared “RKO! RKO!” urging Cena to use Randy Orton’s finisher, but Zayn countered and fought his way free.

In a desperate attempt to finish the fight, Cena delivered a devastating third Attitude Adjustment off the top rope, but the landing left both men reeling. Cena couldn’t secure the cover, leaving the outcome in doubt.

The Beast Returns

Suddenly, the iconic chords of Brock Lesnar’s music blasted through the arena. The Allstate crowd erupted as The Beast Incarnate stormed the ring for the first time in months.

Lesnar ripped the referee out of the ring and immediately delivered a crushing F5 to Sami Zayn. But he wasn’t finished. Turning his attention to Cena, Lesnar hoisted the 16-time world champion high into the air and planted him with a monstrous F5. The crowd unleashed a mix of boos and cheers as Lesnar smiled and soaked in the reaction.

In a chilling moment, Lesnar picked Cena up again and delivered a second F5, leaving Cena laid out in the middle of the ring. Grabbing his cowboy hat, Lesnar lingered ringside, smirking before walking up the ramp. The lights dimmed, and the Wrestlepalooza logo appeared on the screen, signaling what could be a monumental showdown ahead.

Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

Tonight’s opener was everything WWE wanted: drama, callbacks, legends, and a shocking twist. Cena gave fans every ounce of his greatest hits, while Sami Zayn proved again that the company sees him as a cornerstone talent. But make no mistake — this night belonged to Brock Lesnar. His return instantly reshapes the Wrestlepalooza landscape, and the image of him standing over John Cena in Chicago will fuel speculation for weeks. WWE Creative just lit the fuse on what could be the final chapter of Cena vs. Lesnar, and they did it in the perfect city to make it unforgettable.

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