This week, WWE had a significant opportunity during Friday Night SmackDown in Chicago—one that fans had been eagerly anticipating. The buzz surrounding the return of a legendary figure in the women’s division reached a fever pitch over the past week, culminating in the long-awaited appearance of none other than AJ Lee. Her first appearance in nearly a decade was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the crowd.
The excitement began when Becky Lynch, who had aligned herself with her husband Seth Rollins, crafted the perfect setup for AJ Lee's return. Rollins emerged from the crowd to introduce Lynch, allowing her to enter the ring and deliver her signature promo. Lynch, known for her fiery personality, took a jab at the Chicago sports teams, playfully avoiding mention of the Bears—of which Rollins is a fan. This clever quip added to the electric atmosphere in the arena.
As Lynch engaged with the audience, she directed some light-hearted banter towards Bulls guard Coby White, sitting front row, calling him out with a humorous insult. The crowd's energy was palpable, setting the stage for what was to come.
Next, the beloved hometown hero CM Punk made his way to the ring, attempting to maintain his composure amid the crowd's adulation. Despite his efforts to shift the focus away from Lynch, their rivalry took center stage. Lynch reminded Punk of their recent altercation on Monday Night Raw, further intensifying the tension.
The fans, fully invested in the storyline, began chanting for AJ Lee, which prompted Punk to reference his "shooters" in Chicago, including his sisters and fellow wrestlers like Bayley and Rhea Ripley. Lynch seized this moment to slap Punk across the face, taunting him with a fierce declaration of his loneliness in the ring. The exchange was riveting, showcasing the chemistry and tension among the wrestlers.
Just when the audience thought the drama couldn't escalate further, AJ Lee made her grand entrance to a thunderous ovation. The crowd erupted with "holy shit" chants as she confidently made her way to the ring. In a captivating moment, Lynch and AJ exchanged no words; instead, AJ delivered a stunning slap to Lynch, solidifying her return in spectacular fashion.
The two women quickly transitioned from rivals to allies, embracing each other in the ring, which left the fans buzzing with excitement. This segment encapsulated the essence of professional wrestling—fun, drama, and unexpected turns that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
As the evening progressed, John Cena received a warm welcome from the Windy City fans. He took the opportunity to tease AJ Lee's return while expressing his gratitude to the audience. However, things took an intriguing turn when current United States Champion Sami Zayn proposed an open challenge for the title.
Zayn cleverly referenced his past history with Cena and suggested a rematch for the championship, prompting cheers from the crowd. Cena, ever the showman, agreed, leading to a match filled with nostalgia and high stakes.
The match, however, was derailed when Brock Lesnar made a dramatic appearance, showcasing his imposing presence by violently dragging the referee out of the ring. Lesnar delivered F-5s to both Zayn and Cena, leaving chaos in his wake. As he exited, Lesnar ominously declared, "Hey John, I’ll see you at Wrestlepalooza, bitch,” adding another layer of anticipation for future events.
In other action, Aleister Black returned to confront Damian Priest, who expressed his desire to rectify the issues plaguing WWE. Their match saw Black utilizing quick thinking to secure a victory, although the bout itself did not garner much excitement among fans.
The women's division also had its moments, with Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax hovering around the championship picture, though the buildup felt lackluster. Michin faced Giulia for the United States Championship, but the match followed a predictable pattern, ultimately resulting in Giulia retaining her title.
In a lighter moment, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were featured in a backstage segment, but it failed to create significant buzz among viewers.
Overall, this week's Friday Night SmackDown was a resounding success, highlighted by the much-anticipated return of AJ Lee. The show delivered on multiple fronts, with engaging storylines and thrilling moments that kept fans entertained. The combination of nostalgia, rivalries, and unexpected appearances made for a captivating episode, earning it an impressive grade of A.
As WWE continues to build momentum, fans are left eagerly anticipating what comes next for their favorite superstars. Your thoughts?
