SmackDown opens with Cena in Montreal

John Cena opens the Montreal edition of SmackDown as Cody Rhodes addresses the title and a high-profile tag match headlines the card.

Opening Segment Sets Stage for WWE SmackDown August 8

John Cena is set to open Friday Night SmackDown from the Bell Centre in Montreal, addressing Brock Lesnar's attack at SummerSlam last week. WWE announced the plan on social media, and the moment is poised to frame the show with Cena's familiar star power.

The show also features a tag team bout pitting the Motor City Machine Guns against two members of MFT, with the opponents to be confirmed at air time. Cody Rhodes will make his first appearance on SmackDown since winning the Undisputed WWE Championship, as fans look toward Clash in Paris and the next steps in his title run.

The lineup leans on nostalgia while signaling a move forward for Rhodes as champion. Cena's presence anchors the night, but Rhodes' mic time points to a longer arc that WWE can ride into future pay-per-views. The clash between the mid-card veterans and rising teams adds texture to the program and tests emerging chemistry in the ring.

Montreal's crowd and social chatter will help gauge the show’s momentum. If the night can blend reverence for established stars with clear hints of upcoming feuds, SmackDown could sustain interest beyond one big moment and build toward Clash in Paris rather than stalling on a single storyline.

Highlights

The night tests how nostalgia blends with the new chapter