Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for July 4, 2017

John Cena returns to WWE for the first time since WrestleMania to start tonight's show. Cena asks if we missed him, then brings up the fact that today is Independence Day in America, and talks about how the WWE Superstars get in the ring every to compete to be the best. He address talk that he is a part-timer by saying he is an all-timer, and if his time in WWE is limited, he is going out in a blaze of glory. After namedropping big SmackDown Live names, he says that if you line them up, he will knock them down. Cena says he is a man who works harder than anyone else and has nothing to lose. Suddenly, Rusev shows up for the first time in months with a Bulgarian flag, and reminds everyone that he got hurt before addressing the fact that Cena has been gone for a while, and that Cena got comeback commercials and he did not. Rusev says he has waited for opportunity, but he will wait not longer, and will not let Cena take opportunity from him. He then goes on to call Cena's comeback and the United States a joke. Cena dares him to get in the ring, and Rusev says that on Bulgaria's independence day, they march and show their strength, while America sits around and eats hot dogs during theirs. After Cena says that America fights to give everyone a voice and is not afraid to stand up for what it believes in, he challenges Rusev to a flag match. Rusev accepts, but says they will fight on his time and his terms. As Rusev leaves, Cena stars a "USA" chant.

General Manager Daniel Bryan talks with Chad Gable and AJ Styles. He tells them that Kevin Owens does not want either of them in his Independence Day battle royal, and proposes that both of them face off in a "win and you're in" match. Both men agree, and the intensity between both men rises immediately with AJ Styles saying he is not afraid of a little competition only for Gable to tell him he is more than a little competition. The match starts after the commercial break.

AJ Styles beats Chad Gable to continue on to the Independence Day Battle Royal. After the match, Styles helps Gable up, then nods at him and leaves.

Zack Ryder meets up with Mojo Rawley, who is in the locker room and is still down about last week. He tells him that they are both in the Independence Day Battle Royal, and Mojo thanks him for the opportunity. Zack tells Mojo he will see him out there.

Carmella and James Ellsworth show up. Elssworth says he is cancelling Independence Day because they are celebrating a "Carmellabration." She laughs about retaining the Money In The Bank briefcase and shoves it in the fans' faces, saying they can't always get what they want. As she talks about how she has everything she wants, she also mentions Naomi, and Naomi shows up with a new light-up SmackDown women's title. Carmella may be the winner of the briefcase, but she is the champion, and she will keep an eye out for her. As for Ellsworth, she brings out Daniel Bryan, who immediately bars Ellsworth from the arena, fines him $10,000 and suspends him for 30 days. Also, if he does not leave right now, or if he breaks any of the rules for any reason, Carmella will be stripped of the Money In The Bank briefcase and contract. Carmella and Ellsworth run away immediately.

Naomi retains the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Lana by submission in mere seconds. After the match, Tamina shows up and tells Lana to get up and come with her to the back.

Dasha Fuentes is about to interview "The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura when Baron Corbin attacks him from behind. Nakamura fights back, and referees leap quickly into place to separate both men.

John Cena vs. Rusev in a Flag Match is official for Battleground.

It is time for the rap battle between The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) with special guest judge Wale. Both sides show up with their own entourages. During the rap battle, Woods tells The Usos that they should be carrying bags for Roman Reigns. This hits a nerve with The Usos, who attack The New Day. Wale disqualifies them, and The New Day wins the rap battle.

Titus O'Neil advertises that Titus Worldwide is taking over 205 Live tonight.

Aiden English sings, but he is quickly interrupted by Randy Orton before their match. Aiden then asks if Randy is finished, because he wasn't done. He then sings.

Aiden English beats Randy Orton by disqualification after Orton hits English with the steel steps outside of the ring. After the match, Orton hits English with an RKO, then Jinder Mahal shows up with The Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir Singh) and raises the WWE Championship up. He calls America "the land of prejudice and the home of ignorance" due to how the fans treat him, but reminds them he is still their WWE Champion. Jinder says he would put all the fans in a Punjabi Prison and beat them with respect if he could, and says he will destroy Orton and his legacy at Battleground to prove he is the Modern Day Maharaja. Before Jinder can speak in Punjabi, however, Orton interrupts, telling Jinder he has no advantage over him at Battleground and that nobody likes him not because of who he is or what he looks like, but because he is a jackass.

Tyler Breeze dresses up as "Tenee Young" and tries to get strategies from "The Perfect Ten" Tye Dillinger for the upcoming Independence Day Battle Royal. Fandango is seen dressed up as a construction worker in the background as Dillinger gives the usual strategies for a battle royal. Breeze and Fandango are convinced their disguises were perfect afterwards.

Renee Young, somewhat flattered by the previous interview, interviews Mike and Maria Kanellis. They say love is ageless and timeless, and everybody wants it but does not always get it. As Mike puts Maria on a pedestal, they are interrupted accidentally by Sami Zayn, who knocks something down as he is stretching. Sami Zayn apologizes and says he is a fan of their message, and after a reference to Huey Lewis and the News' "The Power of Love," he finds out he is late for his match and hightails it out of there. Mike and Maria are convinced that their moment has been ruined.

Kevin Owens guests on commentary for the next match.

AJ Styles wins the Independence Day Battle Royal to become #1 contender for the WWE United States Championship at Battleground, lastly eliminating Sami Zayn. Kevin Owens attacks Styles after the match, but Styles fights back and goes for the Styles Clash only for Owens to run away.

On Talking Smack, Naomi talks about her new glowing SmackDown Women's Championship.

Here are the top 10 moments from tonight's show!