The May 30 episode of WWE SmackDown took place at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, marking an important night for the Blue Brand with John Cena performing on home turf. Cena’s dominant presence continued to be felt, highlighted by the surprising return of Cody Rhodes during the main event. The two factions faced off in the ring, ending the show with high energy.
The crowd in Knoxville passionately cheered for Cody Rhodes as he made his entrance, even adopting the British-style “Cody Rhodes” chant to hype him up. Having been absent since WrestleMania 41, Cody shared his thoughts before introducing his partner, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso. The audience engaged with chants as Jay responded in kind.
John Cena interrupted with a message calling Cody and Jay the biggest hopefuls in wrestling, dubbing them “John Cena Wannabes.” He claimed they aspired so much because they wanted to challenge him but labeled Cody as hopeless and Jay as lazy. Cena then praised Logan Paul, highlighting his hustle, loyalty, and respect, and surprised everyone by tagging him as his money-in-the-bank partner.
Logan Paul entered to mixed reactions, with some fans booing him. Cena notably defeated Logan in a display of wrestling prowess, and the crowd continued to show their disdain for Paul, humorously undermining him despite his bravado. Logan engaged with the crowd, calling them “ungrateful” and asserting his claim to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He labeled Cody and Jay as “Nepo Babies” and himself and Cena as “Homemade Men.”
Paul declared Cena the last true champion but insisted the future belonged to him. Jey Uso warned against waiting on the money-in-the-bank cash-in. Tensions rose between Logan and John, leading Cody to mockingly ask Logan if he’d return to “China Peace Director, Poland,” sparking a brawl that culminated with Logan taking a superkick and a cody cutter, closing the night on a dramatic note.
This storyline will be one to watch as John Cena’s final WWE run continues to captivate fans. The 17-time champion is proving he still has plenty to offer, even in his heel persona.
Fan Take: John Cena’s ongoing WWE farewell is more than just nostalgia—it’s a reaffirmation that even legends can evolve and stay relevant. This storyline sets the stage for fresh rivalries and might reshape WWE’s future landscape, keeping fans eagerly invested.
