legend got laid out by The Bloodline as SmackDown came to an end moments after AJ Styles left the arena in an ambulance.
The 16-time world champion will have to find another tag team partner for Fastlane after Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa brutalised his partner backstage before he could come out for a contract signing late in the show.
The night kicked off with Cena coming down and saying he was ready to face The Bloodline with a partner by his side, with in the ring.
They challenged Solo and Jimmy to a fight there and then, but while the duo got up on the apron they quickly left, with Adam Pearce saying backstage that he needed to speak to Paul Heyman about the potential match.
Jimmy later accepted the terms of a contract without getting permission from Roman Reigns, with a contract signing set to make it official for Fastlane.
However, The Bloodline decimated Styles backstage as Solo hit a huge splash from some high crates, forcing him to be taken in an ambulance.
Heyman, Solo and Jimmy came out to brag about the assault, and while Cena tried to get some revenge, he got laid out himself with a Samoan Spike and Splash as the show came to a dramatic end.
Iyo Sky and Asuka steal the show, Bobby Lashley berates the Street Profits and more
The first match of the night saw the Latino World Order’s Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar look for some revenge against the Street Profits after last week’s attack.
The United States Champion and his protege actually got the surprising win over Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins in a great bout, and the latter two were berated backstage by Bobby Lashley following the loss.
Having him threaten to take everything away from them if they won’t win should be a fantastic way to introduce a real edge to the Profits.
Austin Theory was livid after and tore up the announce table while threatening Michael Cole.
After complaining to Adam Pearce, he got into it with Brawling Brutes duo Butch and Ridge Holland backstage, with Grayson Waller joining in leading to a tag match later in the night.
Iyo Sky retained the WWE Women’s Title over Asuka in an absolute incredible match living up to the hype as they fought in WWE for the first time ever.
Charlotte Flair was at ringside and did play into the action, laying out Bayley at ringside causing a distraction.
Following their backstage row, the new team of Theory and Waller beat the Brawling Brutes in a thoroughly entertaining match which ended when the former US Champ hit A-Town Down on Ridge.
Elsewhere during the show, there was a hilarious skit with Pretty Deadly as Elton Prince continues his road to recovery .
And we also had a rare Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn sighting as the two spooky stars took credit for the curse hanging over the Women’s Tag Team Title division.
WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on TNT Sports 1.
WWE SmackDown results and grades - September 22, 2023
- The LWO (Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar) defeated the Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) (B+)
- WWE Women’s Title: Iyo Sky (c) beat Asuka (A)
- Grayson Waller and Austin Theory defeated the Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch) (B)