WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: CM Punk revives 'Basic Thuganomics' before match with John Cena

The 'Doctor of Punkanomics' is playing mind games ahead of Night of Champions on Saturday

Two can play the parody game. Last week, John Cena ripped off Punk's famous "pipebomb" speech. Punk returned the favor by emulating Cena's "Doctor of Thuganomics" persona on the WWE SmackDown before Night of Champions.

Cena and Punk are leaning heavily into nostalgia to sell their undisputed WWE title match. On Friday, Punk and Cena met one last time before Saturday's main event. Punk got the better of the verbal exchange this week after being put through a table seven days earlier.

The loaded SmackDown also featured three title matches and increased hostilities between Ron Killings and Aleister Black. King and Queen of the Ring finalists Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jade Cargill and Asuka also made appearances.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Punk has bars for Cena

SmackDown ended with a final pre-match encounter between Cena and Punk. The champion briefly addressed the crowd, claiming the match was a formality because he had Punk's number. Normally, a rival superstar's music hits when one wrestler cuts off another. But Punk's theme song didn't blare over the speakers in Kingdom Arena. Instead, it was the "Basic Thuganomics" theme song Cena used before 2005. Punk emerged in full Cena cosplay, mimicking the "Doctor of Thuganomics" persona that led Cena to prominence between 2002 and 2003. Punk spoke in rhymes, getting back at Cena for stealing his "pipebomb" promo last week. 

Punk had some solid barbs: accusing Cena of "burying more talent than The Undertaker," how slowly he moves in the ring and claiming Batista is the better Hollywood actor. Punk concluded by comparing himself and Cena to Kendrick Lamar and Drake, respectively, the ultra-public rap feud that Lamar won, according to public opinion. Punk's original theme music hit and he walked away.

I'm a sucker for fan service but everything about this feud feels off. Cena and Punk's recent parodies of each other weren't bad, per se. But WWE is relying too much on nostalgia to promote this match. A feud of this magnitude requires time and intensity. Rushing it with caricatures reduces it to a disappointing tribute act. The potential last match between Cena and Punk should feel big. Instead, it feels like two aging stars using nostalgia for a quick cash grab. Grade: C

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton exchanged polite words before their King of the Ring match.
• JC Mateo def. Jimmy Uso via pinfall with Tour of the Islands. Solo Sikoa ran interference leading to the finish. Post-match, Fatu rescued Uso from a beatdown.
• Women's United States Championship -- Giulia def. Zelina Vega (c) via pinfall with a northern lights bomb to win the title. 
• Alexa Bliss told Charlotte Flair she didn't want to be friends, but convenient allies.
• Asuka and Jade Cargill got physical during an in-ring segment with Naomi.
• Andrade and Rey Fenix def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) via pinfall after Andrade hit Ciampa with The Message.
• Aleister Black blindsided Ron Killings with Black Mass. Black said they're "even" after Killings ruined Black's match last week. Black and Damian Priest had a tense conversation after, which also included Carmelo Hayes.
• WWE Tag Team Championships -- Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) (c) vs. Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy) ends in a no contest after a brawl broke out with Motor City Machine Guns, Los Garza and Fraxiom.
• WWE Women's Championship -- Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing match to retain the title. Naomi tried to cash in but was intercepted by Stratton.