WWE arrived in Lyon, France for Friday Night SmackDown for one of the loudest TV shows of the year.
Ahead of WWE Clash in Paris, the company geared up for the huge French show by adding another match and booking a United States Championship match between Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn.
The raucous French crowd heightened a fairly middle-of-the-road SmackDown as Logan Paul and John Cena appeared to build their match.
Here are five things we learned from WWE SmackDown.
John Cena calls Logan Paul a ‘pretender’ ahead of WWE Clash in Paris
Cena and Paul opened the show ahead of their first-time-ever bout at WWE’s Clash in Paris on August 31.
Cena roasted Logan Paul by telling The Maverick he was parodying the 17-time champion’s early days in WWE.
The star also provided a heartwarming moment on the show, as Cena apologised to the kid he called ‘toxic’ on WWE Raw in March.
Cena’s current character is miles better than his heel persona, which makes it seem even more of a misstep from WWE.
Michin defeats Kiana James in mere seconds
Kiana James’ WWE SmackDown debut ended in disaster as she was defeated in a matter of seconds by Michin.
This was a bizarre choice from WWE as it basically destroys James’ character right off the bat, but it does look like Michin will get a Women’s United States Championship shot in the future.
Giulia’s United States Championship run so far has been incredibly disappointing, which is shocking considering the talent the Japanese star has.
This was yet another strange decision in one of the weakest aspects of WWE SmackDown week in, and week out.
Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre brawl
After Randy Orton’s return on last week’s show, The Viper confronted Drew McIntyre in the middle of the ring.
McIntyre told Orton that Cody Rhodes was not his friend and he shouldn’t fight battles on behalf of the American Nightmare.
Orton responded by stating Rhodes had nothing to do with his attack on McIntyre, it was just because the Scottish Warrior is a ‘p—-‘.
McIntyre responded with a Glasgow Kiss, and the pair were separated by security before they could knock chunks out of each other.
Orton thanked the security with multiple RKOs, including one to former WWE superstar, The Hurricane, to end the segment.
Street Profits vs Wyatt Sicks is set for WWE Clash in Paris
The Street Profits and Melo Don’t Miz had a solid tag team match before the Wyatt Sicks’ interference allowed Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins to win that match.
The Wyatt Sicks’ distraction spooked The Miz, who didn’t tag when Hayes was looking for it. It allowed Ford and Dawkins to pick up the win.
The two men are now the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships and they will take on the Wyatt Sicks at Clash in Paris.
That means Triple H has finally reverted away from his five-match PLE cards for shows that aren’t WWE’s ‘big four’.
Solo Sikoa retains United States Championship against Sami Zayn
Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn battled in the main event of WWE SmackDown with the United States Championship on the line.
The pair have an extended history in WWE, dating back to their time in The Bloodline together from 2022 to 2023.
Sikoa’s MFTs played the numbers game until Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu laid waste to the underwhelming faction.
That left Sikoa and Zayn alone in the ring, and the Street Champion was able to get the upper hand with two Spinning Solos on the commentary table.
Despite absorbing all that punishment, Zayn was still able to pick up the win with the Helluva Kick and become a first-time United States Champion!