John Cena to host WWE Payback as star confirms return on SmackDown franchise for an initial two months

John Cena returned to WWE on Friday night’s Smackdown, confirming the rumours that he would be back for a brief story arc on the franchise.

There had been speculation that Cena would come back to the sports entertainment show, which comes at a time when there is no imminent end in sight to the strike by Hollywood writers and the Screen Actors Guild.

That means that only in certain circumstances, actors cannot take part in filming, meaning Cena is freed from any acting obligations and so can make more appearances in the ring.

Cena announced that he would be the host for Saturday night's WWE Payback, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from the crowd, until he was interrupted by rival Jimmy Uso. Uso then compared Cena and Roman Reigns.

Cena and Uso then went at it in the ring and Uso was given an Attitude Adjustment - one of Cena’s trademark moves - after Uso had aimed a kick at the returning star, who embraced his role as the heel.

While celebrities such as The Rock return to the franchise for one-off events, the WWE is going to get the chance to develop Cena’s return with a two-month arc, making eight appearances over the next two months.

He last came back to the WWE in December 2022, and gave SmackDown their best viewing figures. They will be hoping for more of the same from the 16-time world champion.

There is speculation about which wrestlers might be set up as a foe for Cena before he departs for Hollywood once more, with suggestions that one or more of AJ Styles, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight or Solo Sikoa could feature as his nemesis.

Cena has been part of the Fast and Furious and DC superhero franchises in recent years after he made the leap to acting.

Stream one of the biggest WWE events of the year live on TNT Sports Box Office. WWE Payback takes revenge this Labour Day weekend, for the first time in 5 years, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Starting at 01:00 on Sunday 3 September in the UK, get all the info you need here to make sure you're ready to watch along with TNT Sports Box Office.

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