New United States Champion AJ Styles kicked off SmackDown LIVE with an Open Challenge

Rusev and Owens ruin Styles' imminent U.S Champion Open Challenge match against Cena: SmackDown LIVE, July 11, 2017

In the wake of AJ Styles' incredible United States Championship victory over KO at Madison Square Garden, an impromptu match between The Phenomenal One and John Cena gets ambushed.

SAN ANTONIO — Following his shocking victory over Kevin Owens to capture the United States Championship this past Friday during a WWE Live Event in the hallowed Madison Square Garden, AJ Styles kicked off the show on Team Blue to declare that he was bringing back the United States Championship Open Challenge. Who would be the first Superstar to answer The Phenomenal One’s call? Well, his name is JOHN CENA!

The Leader of the Cenation, who created the United States Championship Open Challenge, seemed ready to rekindle his classic rivalry with Styles, but before the two could throw down, they were interrupted by KO, who wanted a rematch for the title, and then by Rusev, who snuck into the ring and surprise attacked Cena, his WWE Battleground opponent. Rusev’s assault from behind led to The New Face of America planting Styles with a bone-rattling Pop-up Powerbomb and The Bulgarian Brute locking The Cenation Leader in the devastating Accolade. 

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