Two big returns took place on today's episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown at the RAC Arena in Perth during the open challenge segment for the Men's United States Championship.
While this episode will air at its usual 8 p.m. ET broadcast time on the USA Network in the United States, it aired internationally at 8 a.m. on Netflix. As such, here is your warning about SPOILERS for the episode, if you're waiting 12 hours for the American broadcast.
As per usual, Sami Zayn came out to defend his US title in his open challenge, which was answered by a returning Shinsuke Nakamura, who has been absent for several months. Nakamura's last match took place on the June 13th edition of SmackDown when he lost a first-round Fatal 4-Way match (featuring Cody Rhodes, Andrade, and Damian Priest) in a failed attempt to qualify for the 2025 King of the Ring tournament.
Renewing their rivalry that dates all the way back to NXT with Nakamura's debut in the company at WWE NXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016, the two were putting on another one of their classic matches (a running theme for Zayn's current title reign as well), but it was ultimately interrupted when Nakamura was attacked by a mystery assailant sporting white face paint and a hood.
After removing the hood, that person revealed themselves to be Tama Tonga, also making his return after an even longer stint away, having last wrestled on the April 11, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown in a losing effort alongside Solo Sikoa against LA Knight and Randy Orton.
Tonga was flanked by the four underlings of Solo Sikoa in the MFT stable—Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo—who all now also wear the white face paint reminiscent of the Guerillas of Destiny days in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Sikoa was not among them, but the four MFTs all beat down both Nakamura and Zayn, laying waste to the segment and establishing their dominance, clearly with a renewed vigor after taking some time off.
Since Nakamura technically won this match by disqualification after being attacked first, it is possible we'll see a rematch in the future, or some kind of tag team match with Zayn and Nakamura against MFTs, but nothing has been announced as of this publication.
What do you think about Nakamura and Tonga returning, as well as the face paint being brought back? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and spark a discussion!