WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Logan Paul KOs John Cena, Brock Lesnar looms near

Plus, Randy Orton returns after SummerSlam

John Cena needs eyes in the back of his head. Logan Paul left Cena unconscious at the end of WWE SmackDown as Brock Lesnar's presence still looms.

Many expected Cena to battle Lesnar after the latter's shocking return at SummerSlam. While that match is still on the table, Cena pivoted to a feud with Paul during his retirement run. After Friday's show, Paul is in the driver's seat heading into their match at Clash in Paris.

SmackDown featured plenty of action this week, including a miniature tournament to crown challengers for WWE tag team champions The Wyatt Sicks.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from 3Arena in Dublin

Paul cold-cocks Cena, Lesnar sends a message

Cena received a huge ovation for his last appearance in Dublin. The crowd's adoration for the 17-time world champion was cut short by Paul. The new rivals exchanged barbs: Paul labelled Cena "an actor who can wrestle," and Cena called Paul a parasite leeching off WWE. Cena also echoed fan sentiment that he was wasting time with Paul when he could be delivering classics with Seth Rollins and AJ Styles. Their verbal altercation escalated to blows and ended with an Attitude Adjustment from Cena.

Backstage, Drew McIntyre told Paul he got caught up in Cena's aura. McIntyre advised his ally to correct things by any means. Shortly after, McIntyre interrupted SmackDown's commentary team to insult undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes. Suddenly, Randy Orton -- who'd been absent since losing a tag team match with country star Jelly Roll to Paul and McIntyre -- struck McIntyre down with an RKO.

Cena was spotted leaving 3Arena at the tail end of SmackDown. SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis caught up with him, informing Cena of a message from Lesnar. Before Aldis could pass it along, Paul knocked out Cena with a sucker punch. 

It's hard to get excited for Cena vs. Paul, especially with how few singles matches Cena has on his farewell tour. On the plus side, fans will enjoy watching Cena punish Paul. I'll credit WWE for tying multiple storylines together. Cena, Paul, Lesnar, McIntyre, Rhodes and Orton are all loosely tethered together. It's a great way to maximize time and make the environment feel lively. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Melo Don't Miz (Carmelo Hayes & The Miz) def. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) via pinfall after The Miz covered Sabin, who took a Lungblower from Hayes. The winners earned a No. 1 contender's match for the WWE tag team titles.
• Piper Niven def. Charlotte Flair via pinfall with a Michinoku Driver. Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre ran interference during the match.
• The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) def. MFTs (JC Mateo & Tonga Loa) via pinfall after Ford hit a Frog Splash. Jimmy Uso intervened on their behalf to level the playing field. The Street Profits will face Melo Don't Miz in a title eliminator.
• Damian Priest and Aleister Black brawled around the arena. A planned match between Black and R-Truth was cancelled after R-Truth flew to Dublin, Georgia, by mistake.
• Jade Cargill & Tiffany Stratton def. Nia Jax & Becky Lynch via pinfall after landing back-to-back moonsaults on Jax.