John Cena returns to SmackDown, will face Rusev at WWE Battleground

Just in time for the 4th of July, John Cena returned to SmackDown Live and a confrontation has led to him facing Rusev in a Flag Match at WWE Battleground.

The unofficial Captain America of WWE, John Cena returned for the first time in months on the 4th of July episode of SmackDown Live. He opened the show, asking fans if they missed him — and getting the expected split reaction. What’s more, Cena talked about America and how great of a nation it is. So on and so forth it went, that is until Rusev came out to interrupt, also making his return.

Wielding the Bulgarian flag, Rusev came out to belittle both Cena and America. Naturally, Cena protested and contended America’s greatness. However, Rusev persisted and stood strong like a good heel (and one that’s welcomed back).

However, this obviously didn’t sit right with Cena. So after telling his new adversary he wanted to go on Tuesday night, Rusev said not right now. Cena had a retort, though, and it appeared that the two made a match for WWE Battleground, the upcoming pay-per-view at the end of July.

SmackDown Live general manager later made the match official, announcing so on Twitter:

Yes, it’ll be a Flag match at Battleground with the Bulgarian flag in one corner and the American flag in another. No, that doesn’t sound like much fun, frankly. However, we’ve seen Rusev and Cena in the ring together several times before. These two guys work a good match with one another, so flags aside, that should be a nice match.

Next: 50 Best Professional Wrestlers Of All-Time

The more prescient point, though, is that we now have John Cena back in our lives. Love him or hate him, he knows how to sell a show and make it better. For that, it’s good to have him back.