Multi-time champion returns to WWE SmackDown after over seven years; John Cena reacts!

John Cena's WWE run is set to end in a few weeks, and the new Intercontinental Champion will have his last-ever match in Washington. Meanwhile, the 48-year-old legend reacted to a major return on the latest episode of SmackDown.

In April 2018, Zack Ryder, aka Matt Cardona, had his last match on the brand under Vince McMahon's regime. While Broski worked for the Stamford-based promotion until 2020, he didn't appear on the blue brand and instead focused on Monday Night RAW and Main Event.

After his release from the Stamford-based promotion in 2020, Ryder spent time on the independent circuit, becoming The Indy God and working as Matt Cardona across various promotions. On the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Cardona returned to the promotion as Zack Ryder for the first time in over seven years as LA Knight's opponent in the 'Last Time is Now' tournament.

While the 40-year-old star received a thunderous ovation during his entrance, the multi-time Tag Team Champion didn't advance in the tournament, as he lost to The Megastar. Later, John Cena reacted to the former Intercontinental and United States Champion's return to the blue brand under his former gimmick and uploaded a picture from the show on his Instagram.

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John Cena confirms final-ever WWE RAW match

John Cena was once the face of Monday Night RAW, and The Franchise Player's run lasted a little over a decade in the Stamford-based promotion. From opening the show to competing in the show's main event, Cena has done it all as a performer on the red brand.

Recently, the 48-year-old WWE legend confirmed that his upcoming appearance in Madison Square Garden will be his final RAW appearance as an in-ring performer. Moreover, the new Intercontinental Champion stated that he will compete on the upcoming show, which will be his last on the weekly product.

"Over 23 years you’ve allowed me to have 544 matches on #WWERaw. The most in WWE history. My favorite match.. is my next one! Which will be our LAST ONE! Don’t miss our last chance to grace @TheGarden ring as we say farewell to RAW live, Monday night on @netflix at 8pm ET," Cena tweeted on X.

It'll be interesting to see which star faces John Cena in his last-ever match on Monday Night RAW.

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Edited by Aakaansh Sukale