After three months away, John Cena returned to WWE programming on Tuesday's July 4 edition of SmackDown Live.

WWE captured Cena's return in real time when he proclaimed he would return to the ring and prove doubters wrong:

"They say that I am nothing more than a part-timing mascot...I am not a part-timer, I am an all-timer!" Cena said, per WWE Universe.

Once he established his intentions, Cena took aim at Rusev as his next challenger:

While Cena has developed into a part-time Superstar due to his many responsibilities and opportunities outside the ring, he remains WWE's franchise player when he's in the fold.

When WWE initially announced that Cena was coming back on Independence Day, it threw an interesting wrinkle into the works by deeming him a free agent.

Cena was among SmackDown Live's top picks in last year's brand-split draft, but being a free agent will allow the Face That Runs the Place to shuttle between the blue brand and Raw as WWE sees fit.

Although that approach flies in the face of the brand split, it makes sense from WWE's perspective since it can boost either show with Cena's presence when needed.

There is also no shortage of intriguing and fresh feuds for Cena on both brands, and making him a free agent is a move that should allow WWE to utilize the future Hall of Famer in the best way possible.

As things currently stand, Cena appears to be an ideal fit for SmackDown, as there is a bevy of foreign heels for him to engage in rivalries with.

Cena already has a long history with United States champion Kevin Owens, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him lock horns with KO once again in hopes of bringing the U.S. title back to prominence.

Also, while WWE champion Jinder Mahal is currently going at it with Randy Orton, Cena is a logical next opponent for the Maharaja, perhaps at SummerSlam in August.

On the Raw side of things, the likes of Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns could be great foils for Cena, especially further down the line as WrestleMania 34 approaches in New Orleans next year.

Cena has become an attraction in WWE much like Brock Lesnar due to the manner in which he comes and goes, and it can be argued that it has increased both his value and the aura surrounding him.

Provided Cena is back for the foreseeable future and set to become a fixture on SmackDown Live once again, the blue brand is in line to receive a much-needed shot in the arm.

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