The September 1 episode of WWE Smackdown featuring the return of John Cena averaged 2.443 million views and a 0.65 rating in the key adult 18-49 demographic. It was also the last episode before the company's premium live event, WWE Payback on Sep. 6.

The viewership was down from the August 25 episode of Friday Night Smackdown that did 2.647 million viewers and a 0.78 rating, but was a tribute show for the sudden passing of Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk. The recent episode is up compared to the August 18 episode of Smackdown that drew 2.094 viewership, a 0.55 rating, and featured the 25th-anniversary of Edge in the WWE.


On the September 1 episode, Cena returned at the start of the show to a great reaction from the crowd. He shared that he doesn't know how much time he has left to compete in a ring as he ages, but he wanted to thank the WWE fans whenever he can. This led to Jimmy Uso returning and claiming that the fans were more interested in what he had to say instead of the former WWE Champion. Uso reiterated that he turned on his brother because he cares about him and compared Cena to Roman Reigns.

Cena responded by saying that he should've quit WWE instead of his brother, which led to Uso trying to attack him. However, he was caught in the Attitude Adjustment to the crowd's delight.

While Cena wasn't involved as much for the rest of the night, WWE continued to make most of the show revolve around Jimmy Uso.


Later in the show, Uso got into a confrontation with AJ Styles backstage, leading to Solo Sikoa sticking up for him and attacking Styles. Sikoa told Uso after assaulting Styles that he wasn't done with The Bloodline faction unless they said he was.

This led to the main event match between Sikoa and Styles. In the match, Styles tried to land The Phenomenal Forearm on his opponent, but Uso appeared and made Styles slip on the ropes. Sikoa capitalized and landed the Samoan Spike for the win.

Uso went to hug Sikoa after the match and Sikoa attempted the Samoan Spike on him before Paul Heyman stopped him. Sikoa and Heyman left the ring while Uso continued to attack Styles. The show ended with Uso doing the signature Bloodline pose, seemingly showing that he wants to return to the faction.

This upcoming episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown will likely address his status with the group. Styles will try to get revenge as it has been promoted that he will face Jimmy Uso on the show.