SmackDown Highlights – John Cena Returns Home (2/28/20)

The most anticipated episode of SmackDown is here as John Cena returns to WWE TV for the first time in over a year. A return home for the 16-time world champion is one of two massive stories heading into this episode. The second is, of course, the backlash that will follow the Universal Championship title change at Super Showdown. Here are the highlights.

Roman Reigns calls next for Universal Championship

To the shock of no one, the new Universal Champion Goldberg kicked off SmackDown with a sea of boos coming from the Boston crowd. He let the world know it’s not about “who’s last,” but instead “who’s next.” What followed was the music of “The Big Dog.” Roman Reigns made his way down to the ring and had an epic staredown with Goldberg, making the claim that he will be next. The match will forgo the Elimination Chamber PPV and has been made official for WrestleMania. A truly big addition to the card.

Sasha Banks returns in her hometown, Naomi pins Bayley

This is BOSSton now.

Welcome back, @SashaBanksWWE!!! 💰💰💰💰#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6R4uYlg54X

— WWE (@WWE) February 29, 2020

For some unknown reason, we were scheduled to see the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bayley, take on the woman she beat at Super Showdown, Naomi. Literally a day after. But to the delight of many, Sasha Banks made her grand return in her hometown. This would eventually lead to her taking out Naomi and Lacey Evans running down to make the save. Referee Jessika Carr would rule this a restart in the version of a tag team match (playa). Ultimately, it’d be the champion taking the losing fall as Naomi would pin Bayley in the middle of the ring and gaining what should be another shot at the title. Banks looked good in her return, even if it was rather short.

John Cena passes up WrestleMania… Until “The Fiend” lays down the challenge

https://twitter.com/i/status/1233587451022729216

A hero’s welcome was in-store as John Cena returned from almost a full year away from the WWE in his home state of Massachusetts. The crowd exploded when Cena was out to finish off SmackDown the only way he knew how. There was pure emotion on the face of the 16-time world champion as he clearly missed his home that is the WWE. But he made a shocking announcement when he told the world that WrestleMania would not be in the cards for him this year. Cena stated that he believed in the future and that he didn’t earn that spot being gone. As a possible retirement from in-ring competition loomed and Cena would give the salute to the crowd, the lights shut off. Out was the former Universal Champion, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. The same Wyatt who lost to Cena at WrestleMania 30.

He did not attack. Instead, “The Fiend” pointed to the WrestleMania sign. The challenge was set for Cena to accept. Cena tipped his hat in acceptance. John Cena will face “The Fiend” at WrestleMania. Maybe this is how “The Fiend” will bounceback from startling defeat. Beating the man WWE bills as “The Greatest of All-Time.” That’s bigger than any blue belt.