How will Cena open the final SmackDown of 2013?

Tonight at 8/7 CT on Syfy, 11-time WWE Champion John Cena is scheduled to kick off the last SmackDown of the year!

But what will the Cenation leader have to say to the WWE Universe as 2013 draws to a close? Might he touch on his rivalry – and potentially looming title rematch – with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton? Will he look back at his incredible year that included winning the Royal Rumble, defeating  The Rock at WrestleMania to recapture the WWE Title and adding another  World Heavyweight Championship to his resume? Or will Cena simply look to set the tone for a big 2014?

While it’s uncertain what the decorated Superstar will be speaking about when he travels to the best show on Friday night, one thing is clear: When John Cena speaks, the WWE Universe, and the entire locker room, listens!

Is The Shield primed to execute a Friday night onslaught?

04:20

The Shield takes on a dominating team of John Cena, CM Punk & Big E. Langston.

On Monday, John Cena, CM Punk & Big E Langston went head-to-head with The Shield. And, following a disqualification finish, the three WWE fan favorites stood tall over the black-clad trio to end a rousing Christmas Raw - with the powerhouse Intercontinental Champion looking like a truly dominating force.

Now, The Hounds of Justice are proud, dangerous and absolutely relentless. So, it may be a forgone conclusion that instead of licking their wounds or chasing their tails, United States Champion Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins will be looking to execute quick, painful “justice.”

But with so many enemies, if they do choose to strike tonight, who will be their unlucky prey?

Will the rested Viper be venomous or vindicated?

After The Authority gave him the gift of a night off on Christmas Raw this past Monday, could WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton also be ready to make a vicious statement on SmackDown tonight? Or, as the year comes to a close, does The Face of WWE truly have nothing left to prove?

Watch John Cena vs. Randy Orton Matches

One way or the other, if a well-rested Viper does slither his way onto the blue brand tonight, there is no telling who will be safe from his serpentine fury!

Will Cesaro get Real American revenge?

03:12

Jack Swagger looks to snag a victory over one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions.

After Goldust defeated Jack Swagger on this week's WWE Main Event, Cody Rhodes got the best of Antonio Cesaro in a post-match brawl. Tonight, Cesaro has a chance for payback when he and Cody go head-to-head on SmackDown!

Watch: Los Matadores vs. The Real Americans

With Founding Father Zeb Colter and Swagger in his corner, can the powerful Superstar advance the cause of The Real Americans against one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions? Or, will Cody hand another loss to Colter’s patriotic pair, as the brothers Rhodes look to finish 2013 in style?

Are the buzzards circling The Usos or Daniel Bryan?

03:19

Daniel Bryan teams with Cody Rhodes & Goldust to face The Wyatt Family on Raw.

With their eerie gaze fixed on Daniel Bryan in recent weeks – as well as on WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust & Cody Rhodes – The Wyatt Family’s Erick Rowan & Luke Harper battle The Usos tonight on SmackDown.

While this is a true chance for Jimmy & Jey to make a huge end-of-the-year statement against Bray Wyatt’s terrifying followers, the creepy Rowan & Harper have appeared all but unbeatable in recent weeks.

In addition to their match against the Samoan warriors, it's worth exploring whether Wyatt and his family will have any further business to attend to with The Beard? Whether it’s another appeal to WWE’s flying goat to join Wyatt’s flock, or a brutal beat down and plunge off a loading dock, the buzzards are certainly circling Bryan as 2014 nears.