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WrestleMania 34



Smackdown: John Cena returns, but AJ Styles brings the fireworks on Independence Day
By DALE PLUMMER -- SLAM! Wrestling

When WWE shows falls on holidays, they can be a crap shoot. They are pulling out all the stops for the Fourth of July by having John Cena make his return. Is that enough for people to come in from setting off fireworks and eating massive quantities of hot dogs? Well, people in Phoenix, Arizona turned out.

Cena kicks off the show by cutting a very pro-America promo, and then sets his sights on the Superstars that have called him a part timer. Cena says he is a free agent so he can go out in a blaze of glory and proceeds to call out the entire WWE roster. Cena says he has nothing to lose.

Rusev, making his return and only representing Bulgaria now, answers Cena's call. He takes offense to Cena implying he doesn't work hard and the fact his return was not hyped at all. Cena challenges Rusev to a flag match.

Rusev agrees, but not today, he will only fight on his terms. Cena calls him a coward and starts a USA chant.

Daniel Bryan calls Chad Gable and AJ Styles into his office to tell them that they will be facing off against each other for a spot in the Battle Royal tonight.

Match #1 - AJ Styles vs. Chad Gable

Did American Alpha split up and not tell anyone? Gable is wearing brand new colors for this match. Gable short circuits the Phenomenal forearm but hitting the ropes, but AJ moves away from an attempted moonsault. Gable counters a Styles Clash into an ankle lock. AJ breaks the hold and counters into the Calf Crusher. Gable rolls out of the hold and follows with a suplex, tossing Styles across the ring. Gable gets caught with a Pele kick. Styles connects with the Phenomenal Forearm and covers to get the win.

Winner via pinfall: AJ Styles

Zack Ryder wants Mojo to put their loss last week in the rear view mirror, and then tells him that he got them entered into the Independence Day Battle Royal.

Miss Money in the Bank, Carmella, and her lackey James Ellsworth celebrate her win in the ring. Carmella trolls the WWE audience as she has James hold the briefcase. She says she can decided where and when she beats Naomi.

That's enough to gets the champ's attention, as Naomi makes her entrance. The champ tells Carmella that she will keep a look out for her, but someone has a message for James.

Smackdown General Manager isn't pleased that Ellsworth found a way back into the arena last week after being barred. Bryan bars him from the arena again, on top of a $10,000 fine and a 30 day suspension. The real kicker, though, if he breaks any of these rules, Carmella will lose her Money in the Bank contract. Carmella tells James to go, now.

Match #2 - Naomi (champion) vs. Lana (challenger) - Smackdown Women's Title Match

Welp, that was quick. Lana is now oh for three as Naomi kicks her and locks in the Feel the Glow. Lana taps.

Winner via submission ... and still Smackdown Women's Champion: Naomi

After the bell, Tamina Snuka hits the ring. She tells Lana to get up and go.

Baron Corbin lays out Shinsuke Nakamura before he can even answer a question from Dasha Fuentes. WWE officials quickly separate them.

The New Day and the Usos had themselves a good old fashioned rap battle hosted by Wale. The Usos have a posse, of "Day Ones" escort them to the ring. Not to worry, the New Day has their own entourage. The battle of words turns physical when Jey shoves Xavier. Wale has no choice but to disqualify the Usos and declare the New Day the winners.

Aiden English is singing in the ring, when he is interrupted by Randy Orton. English hits him in the back of the head with the microphone, so Orton slams him into the ring steps. English returns to the ring to finish his song.

Match #3 - Aiden English vs. Randy Orton

Once Orton says he is okay, the ref starts the match. The fights spills to the floor and Orton throws English over the announce table. He then throws him into the security barrier and ring post. Orton slams Aiden on the table and uses it to hit the elevated DDT. Orton grabs the ring steps and is warned by the ref not to use them. Orton ignores the instructions and nails English. The ref calls for the bell.

Winner via disqualification: Aiden English

After the bell, Orton rolls English into the ring and drops him with an RKO. Jinder Mahal walks out on stage and addresses Orton, telling him that he will destroy his legacy. Orton tells Jinder that no one likes, not because he is foreign, it's because he's a jack ass.

Tye Dillinger talks about the Battle Royal with an undercover Tyler Breeze.

Renee Young is talking about the power of love with Maria and Mike Kannellis. They are interrupted by a crash. Turns out Sami Zayn accidently knocked over a lighting rig while stretching, interrupting the interview. Zayn apologizes earnestly for interrupting them last week and now. Sami digs their message, though, even though he went and ruined the moment.

Match #4 - Independence Day Battle Royal - United State Title Number One Contender Match

The good news is that Jason Jordan is wearing the same colors that Chard Gable was sporting earlier in the show, so American Alpha lives! Kevin Owens joins the announce team. Dolph Ziggler shocks the crowd, but getting eliminated first.

Mojo Rawley eliminates his partner, Zack Ryder, and now there are four. Mojo, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn and Tye Dillinger are left in the ring. Mojo fends off Tye and AJ, only to get knocked out by a Helluva kick from Zayn. Tye punches Sami in one corner and then stomps away at AJ in the other. He hits both men with Tye Breakers. He tries to left both men over the top rope, but AJ and Sami hold on. Sami is able to use a back body drop to eliminate Dillinger.

Sami and AJ trade punches until Zayn connects with an exploder suplex. AJ gets to his feet and dodge the Hellluva kick. Zayn's momentum takes him to the apron. The two lock up, as Sami tries to get him over with a suplex. Styles connects with a Pele kick, sending Zayn to the floor.

Winner: AJ Styles

Kevin Owens hits the ring and lays a beat down on Styles. AJ connects with a kick to the head and looks for the Styles Clash. Owens squirms out and rolls to the floor. AJ is left to pose in the middle of the ring with the US title.
