John Cena returned to WWE on Friday night’s Payback 2023 go-home edition of SmackDown.
Cena kicked off WWE SmackDown by announcing that he would be hosting tonight’s WWE Payback 2023 pay-per-view event.
Cena was soon interrupted by Jimmy Uso, who came out and stated that while he attacked his brother Jey at SummerSlam 2023 to prevent him from being corrupted by Roman Reigns, he didn’t have any intention to be like Cena.
Jimmy declared that the only difference between Reigns and Cena is “The Champ” keeps a smile on his face.
Cena fired back, saying that the wrong Uso quit WWE. This infuriated Jimmy who tried attacking the 16-time World Champion but ended up taking an Attitude Adjustment.
You can check out some highlights from the segment below:
“You have given me an opportunity for the first time in my two decade career to travel to India…to have my first match ever of my career there in India, and I thank you for that.” – #JohnCena to #WWEUniverse
Thank YOU, @JohnCena! 🇮🇳 ❤️#India #WWESuperstarSpectacle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YX27VnBfp7
— WWE India (@WWEIndia) September 2, 2023
Jimmy Uso got a much-needed Attitude Adjustment courtesy of @JohnCena!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OFMGLNTxG8
— WWE (@WWE) September 2, 2023
BREAKING: @JohnCena is the host of #WWEPayback tomorrow night!@peacock
🦚 https://t.co/xRBTNzqw23
🌎 https://t.co/aEwGYUp0uE pic.twitter.com/whoMWgDdVg— WWE (@WWE) September 2, 2023
During a post-show WWE “Digital Exclusive” interview, Cena reflected on his WWE return, his first time hosting a WWE event, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On his return: “Every single chance I get to go out there becomes more and more special. There is no denying the fact that I’m 46 and staring down 47. I’ve been here for over two decades. As I said out there in the ring, the last one is not tonight, but I know it’s soon. To speak candidly, when you’re involved in this every day in a full-time capacity, you just think about what’s next. The WWE Universe being gracious to invite me and allow me back to be part of this family, for the last two or three years, I’ve been able to focus on what’s now. I never miss any of those wonderful moments in the ring. I know it may sound repetitive, but so is me saying ‘Never give up,’ and I never mind saying that, so I never mind saying ‘thank you’ to the people that make this special. Without them and them caring, I don’t get to come back.”
On hosting WWE Payback: “I’ve never quite hosted. I just found that out right before I went down there and I want to make sure everyone knows I’ll be at the premium live event Payback as the host, and I don’t even know what that means. I have a lot of mutual respect for The Miz, he’s a man that wears many hats, maybe I can engage in a conversation with him and get some suggestions, he’s done the job quite well.”
