5 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (5 Sept - Results & Review)

4. The Sami Zayn US Title Open Challenge

The opening segment was your standard 'Wrestler A talks before being interrupted by Wrestler B' layout on paper, but a true master of his craft was in full view. John Cena charmed the Chicago crowd and seemed legit touched by their happiness to see him for the last time. He thanked them, and did a sterling job of cutting a quasi-Hall Of Fame speech before Sami's music hit and the real meat of the segment was revealed.

Sami asked John for permission to run his own title open challenge like Cena did many moons ago whilst United States Champ. That's actually how Zayn got his start on WWE's main roster back on the 4 May 2015 edition of Raw, and he's never forgotten what that one match did for his fledgling career with the company. Showing respect right back, Cena gladly gave him that permission, then they lined up one more match against each other for the very next segment.

Again, wonderful babyface promo from Cena, and it was interesting that Chicago booed Sami even when he wasn’t getting in JC’s face. Triple H’s ears might’ve perked up at that, because it could have an impact on Zayn's main event push going forwards (assuming that's the plan once he drops the US Title, that is).

Can get on board with seeing Zayn defend his title weekly in open challenges though. That's the best use of a workhorse like him, and he should be able to make some NXT call ups look great even if they're only on Smackers for one night in the short term. Yep, for a standard opening promo skit, this worked a treat.