WWE has announced that SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison, The New Day, The Usos, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, The Lucha House Party, and Heavy Machinery will face off in a gauntlet match on SmackDown tomorrow night. Those are the teams that will face off for the SmackDown Tag Team titles in an Elimination Chamber match at Sunday’s pay-per-view.
The team that wins the gauntlet match will enter the Elimination Chamber last on Sunday.
Kofi Kingston and Seth Rollins starred in pre-Elimination Chamber gauntlet matches over the last two years, though those respective gauntlet matches were won by Randy Orton and Braun Strowman.
Miz & Morrison won the SmackDown Tag Team titles from The New Day at Super ShowDown last week.
Tomorrow’s SmackDown is taking place at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley & Sasha Banks will face Naomi & Lacey Evans in a rematch from last week. WWE has also announced that Bray Wyatt will host a Firefly Fun House segment on the show.
John Morrison has won his first title since returning to WWE.
At Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia today, The Miz & Morrison defeated The New Day (Kofi KIngston & Big E) to win the SmackDown Tag Team titles. After Morrison hit Kingston with a steel chair behind the referee’s back, the finish of the match was Miz pinning Kingston with a roll-up while holding onto his tights.
This is the first time Miz & Morrison have been Tag Team Champions since 2009.
WWE officially announced in December that Morrison had signed a multi-year deal to return to the company. He returned to WWE television at the beginning of January and teamed back up with Miz in his feud against The New Day.
Kingston & Big E had been SmackDown Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The Revival in November 2019.
WWE will follow up on Miz & Morrison’s title win as tomorrow’s SmackDown takes place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. John Cena will also return to WWE TV on the episode.
Nikki & Brie Bella are returning to WWE television on this week’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that The Bellas will be Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross’ guests for a Moment of Bliss segment on this Friday’s SmackDown. Dave Meltzer confirmed last week that The Bellas are scheduled to be part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class, though the official announcement of that has yet to be made.
Nikki & Brie revealed last month that they’re both pregnant and expecting babies later this year.
Season five of Total Bellas will premiere on E! at 10 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, April 9.
An eight-man tag match has also been added to this week’s SmackDown. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will team with The Usos against The Miz, John Morrison, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode.
New Day are defending their SmackDown Tag Team titles against Miz & Morrison at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia next Thursday (February 27).
This week’s SmackDown is taking place at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Goldberg will appear on the episode to continue the build to him challenging “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt for the Universal Championship at Super ShowDown.
Carmella and Naomi will face off on SmackDown to determine who will challenge for Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship at Super ShowDown. There will also be a sit-down interview with Lacey Evans on the episode.
Daniel Bryan was Roman Reigns’ mystery partner for the main event of last night’s SmackDown.
Reigns & Bryan teamed up to defeat The Miz & John Morrison on the show. Miz & Morrison had challenged Reigns to find a partner for the match and mocked The Usos for not being able to come to Canada for SmackDown.
There was a storyline where — after “unprofessional conduct” toward production truck employees and a fan last week — Baron Corbin received a fine and was supposed to be suspended from SmackDown last night. But Corbin appeared prior to the main event and bought a ticket to sit in the front row.
After the match, Corbin came into the ring and cheap-shotted Reigns with his scepter.
Bayley defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Carmella last night. It was set up that Naomi and Carmella will face off next week, with the winner challenging for Bayley’s title at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27.
Plus, Hulk Hogan appeared via satellite and was interrupted and threatened by Bray Wyatt.
A tag match has been announced for this week’s SmackDown — though one of the participants for it has yet to be revealed.
The Miz & John Morrison will team against Roman Reigns and a partner on SmackDown tomorrow night. The match was set up by Miz & Morrison and Reigns going back and forth on Twitter today and Morrison challenging Reigns to find a partner for a tag match.
Tomorrow’s SmackDown is taking place at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Miz & Morrison and Reigns’ Twitter back and forth included Miz and Morrison mocking The Usos for not being able to come to Canada. Morrison wrote: “Lol, @wweusos it’s easy to put us on blast when you know you’re not gonna be around in Canada to back up anything you say… I guess that’s what it means to be LOCKED DOWN… or locked out- #JohnnyTimbits”
Miz & Morrison will challenge The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) for the SmackDown Tag Team titles at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, February 27. Reigns is facing Baron Corbin in a steel cage match at that show.
On tomorrow’s SmackDown, Bayley will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Carmella. The Mandy Rose and Otis storyline will also continue with them going on their Valentine’s Day date.
Next week’s SmackDown will feature the return of The Dirt Sheet.
The Dirt Sheet used to be a web series that aired on WWE.com, hosted by John Morrison and The Miz. It was eventually reformatted as a talk show segment that aired on WWE’s version of ECW between 2008 and 2009.
The show was discontinued after Miz and Morrison were drafted to different brands, with The Miz turning on John Morrison.
The two have reunited as a tag team since John Morrison’s return to the company last month. On this week’s SmackDown, Miz and Morrison defeated the Lucha House Party, Heavy Machinery and the Revival in a fatal four way match that would determine the next challengers for the SmackDown Tag Team titles, which are currently carried by The New Day.
Miz & Morrison vs. The New Day was then set for WWE Super Showdown, which will take place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 27.
Next week’s edition of SmackDown will be at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
The Miz & John Morrison are getting a SmackDown Tag Team title shot when WWE returns to Saudi Arabia next month.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) will defend their titles against Miz & Morrison at Super ShowDown on Thursday, February 27. Miz & Morrison were set up as New Day’s challengers by defeating The Revival, The Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado), and Heavy Machinery in a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on SmackDown tonight.
After The Miz gave Scott Dawson the Skull Crushing Finale, Morrison pinned him with Starship Pain. The Revival had hit a double-team superplex/splash combo on Dorado, but Miz tagged himself in during it.
Tonight was the first time Miz & Morrison have teamed together since Morrison’s return. They’ve been feuding with New Day since Morrison came back to WWE television earlier this month.
This is the first match announced for Super ShowDown. The show is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will air live on the WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time.
WWE has announced when John Morrison’s episode of Chronicle will be premiering.
The WWE Chronicle episode on Morrison will debut on the WWE Network after Worlds Collide on Saturday, January 25. It will focus on Morrison’s return to WWE.
The Chronicle episode was first mentioned by Morrison during a promo on SmackDown this past Friday night. Morrison claimed that a Chronicle documentary was being filmed in advance of him returning at the Royal Rumble, but he returned early to be there for The Miz. Morrison also blamed the fans for turning against Miz.
Morrison and Miz are feuding with The New Day, and Morrison will return his return to the ring against Big E on SmackDown this Friday night.
A new WWE 24 episode focused on last year’s WrestleMania will premiere on the Network after the Royal Rumble on January 26.
NXT vs. NXT UK is the theme of the Worlds Collide special. It’s taking place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
John Morrison will be back in action on next week’s episode of SmackDown.
WWE has announced that Morrison vs. Big E will take place on SmackDown next Friday. This is the first announced match for Morrison since he made his return to WWE.
Morrison’s appearance on Miz TV kicked off tonight’s SmackDown. Morrison said he was disappointed in the fans for turning against The Miz just because Miz had a bad day when he attacked Kofi Kingston after their match last week.
Kingston and Big E interrupted the Miz TV segment, and Miz mocked Kingston for how quickly he lost the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar. Miz then faced Kingston in a match that started with Morrison and Big E both on commentary.
Morrison and Big E moved to ringside after Miz shoved Kingston into Big E. Miz got into it with Big E on the outside, Morrison hit a move where he jumped off the steps and laid out Big E, and Miz won with the Skull Crushing Finale after Kingston was distracted.
In storyline, Miz has been unraveling since his feud with Bray Wyatt.
The Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina is hosting next week’s SmackDown. It will be the second-to-last episode of the show before the Royal Rumble.
The build to the Royal Rumble continues as SmackDown takes place from the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana, tonight.
The Usos are set to take on King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler. The Usos made their return when they came out to help their cousin Roman Reigns last Friday. Corbin and Ziggler attempted to cover Reigns in dog food again until The Usos made the save.
Lacey Evans goes one-on-one with Sasha Banks. Evans has been feuding with Banks and SmackDown Women’s Bayley in the last few weeks. Banks taunted Evan’s daughter at ringside a few weeks ago, causing Evans to snap.
The Miz hosts Miz TV with special guest John Morrison. Morrison made his return to WWE last Friday after being gone for several years. Last week, The Miz was frustrated with his inability to gain revenge on “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Miz ended up getting into an argument with Kofi Kingston and challenged him to a match. Kingston defeated Miz, but Miz attacked Kingston after.
Cathy Kelley attempted to interview Miz in his locker room, but Morrison opened the door. He informed Kelley that Miz didn’t have anything left to say that night.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
SmackDown started with The Miz hosting Miz TV.
They recapped Miz attacking Kofi Kingston after losing last week.
Miz received a mix of cheers and boos from the fans. Miz admitted to having a bad day last week, and Kingston’s positivity made him furious. He apologized to Kingston for his actions last week. He talked about the last month was very bad. Miz noted he failed to defeat “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt to win the Universal Championship.
Miz then mentioned one bright spot in the last month. He pointed out that a good friend has returned. Miz then introduced his guest and former tag team partner John Morrison.
The fans gave Morrison a good reaction and chanted, “Welcome Back.” Miz noted he and Morrison were one of the greatest tag teams in the 21st century. Miz then showed a video package covering Morrison’s career.
Miz then welcomed Morrison back to WWE. Morrison talked about the original plans for his return at the Royal Rumble, but he saw what Miz was going through. Morrison blamed the fans for Miz’s recent problems. He ripped the fans for not respecting Miz enough. He began insulting fans in the front row. Morrison seemed a bit shaky and a bit off, but that might be his style.
New Day’s music hit and they made their way to the ring. Big E said he didn’t believe Miz’s apology because he’s not a good actor. Big E joked that Miz couldn’t even land the role as the back end of the human centipede.
Miz said he respected Kingston winning the WWE Championship and then mocked him for losing the title in six seconds. Kingston corrected him that it was eight seconds and noted Miz changed. He’s not cool Miz anymore. Kingston led the fans in chanting “you suck” at Miz.
The Miz (w/John Morrison) defeated Kofi Kingston (w/Big E)
John Morrison and Big E jointed Corey Graves and Michael Cole on commentary.
Miz blocked a monkey flip attempt and went for the figure four leg lock. Kingston rolled up Miz for a close near fall. Miz recovered and used a chin lock to slow the pace down.
Kingston made a comeback and hit a back elbow. He followed up with a suicide dive. Miz then shoved Kingston into Big E. Morrison, and Big E both left commentary and stayed at ringside.
Kingston fought back and hit the boom drop. He attempted the trouble in paradise, but Miz blocked the move and attacked the leg. Kingston recovered and hit a crossbody for a close two count.
Miz regained control and hit a DDT for a near fall. Miz hit a series of It kicks, but Kingston attempted the SOS. Miz avoided the move and attempted the Skull Crushing Finale. Kingston rolled up Miz for a close near fall.
Kingston hit the SOS for a very close two count. Kingston leaped off the top, but Miz attacked the leg again. He followed up by applying the figure four leg lock, but Kingston made the ropes.
Miz got in Big E’s face, and Morrison leaped off the steps onto Big E. Kingston was distracted, and Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
Bray Wyatt hosted another edition of the Firefly Funhouse. He asked the camera to come closer and said he loves you.
Wyatt told Bryan that he’s in a lot of trouble. He first wanted Bryan to remember. Clips aired of Bryan joining The Wyat Family in 2014. Then he tried to change him. Now he wants to hurt Bryan. Wyatt’s furious that Bryan gets another title shot. He promised to defeat Bryan at the Royal Rumble.
In the back, Sonya Deville spoke to Mandy Rose as she got ready for her match. Deville was overly enthusiastic and was excited for Rose to win later.
Rose was distracted and had something to take care of before her match. Rose pulled out a box and looked in it.
In the ring, Elias sang a song about winning the Royal Rumble. He mentioned Brock Lesnar and promised to throw him out.
In the back, Otis and Tucker were getting ready when Mandy Rose approached. She apologized for letting Dolph Ziggler ruin the cake Otis’s mom made. She gave Otis a cake that read, “I’m sorry.” Otis was beyond thrilled.
Mandy Rose (w/Sonya Deville) defeated Alexa Bliss (w/Nikki Cross)
In a video from earlier today, Bliss and Cross both promised to win the Royal Rumble.
Rose shoved Bliss until she snapped and attacked Rose in the corner. Rose briefly took over, but Bliss recovered. Bliss hit a sliding dropkick to the floor.
Deville distracted Bliss, and Cross pulled Deville off the apron. Rose caught Bliss with a knee as she entered the ring.
Rose slowed the pace down and applied a chin lock.
Bliss fired up and made a comeback. She rocked Rose with a slap and dropkick.
Bliss hit the double knees when Heavy Machinery’s music hit. Otis and Tucker came down to ringside, eating the cake.
Bliss was distracted, and Rose rolled her up for the win.
Lacey Evans vs. Sasha Banks
As Evans made her way to the ring, her SmackDown stats included she’s the mother of one daughter.
Bank’s music hit, but she didn’t come out.
On the big screen, SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley explained that Banks isn’t even here tonight. She noted Banks is in the studio working on her next album. Bayley’s there because she has to.
Evans noted she’s ready to fight anywhere and anytime, especially in the heartland of America. The fans popped big and chanted “U.S.A.”
Evans then challenged Bayley to come to the ring and defend the title.
Bayley noted she’s not her mom, and Bayley isn’t Evans’ snot nose kid.
Evans ran out of the ring to the back.
In the back, Evans approached Bayley’s locker room. Suddenly, Bayley attacked Evans from behind. She told Evans to go home and put on her mom jeans.
Evans and Bayley continued to brawl in the back. Bayley avoided the Woman’s right and ran off.
They recapped Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler from last week.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Daniel Bryan in the back. Bryan noted he knows that Bray Wyatt can be beaten, and he will beat him at the Royal Rumble.
Suddenly, Ramblin Rabbit appeared on the screen. He told Bryan there is a way to defeat The Fiend, and he knows the secret. Before he could say it, Wyatt put his hand over his mouth and noted snitches get stitches.
Braun Strowman defeated Intercontinental Shinsuke Nakamura (w/Sami Zayn & Cesaro) In a non-title match
They recapped Strowman defeating Cesaro last week and Nakamura hitting the Kinsasha after the match.
Strowman dominated Nakamura in the early moments. Strowman missed a splash in the corner, and Nakamura took over.
Strowman regained control with a big boot.
Zayn distracted Strowman on the floor. Cesaro shoved Strowman into the ring post, and Nakamura sent him into the timekeeper’s area.
Back from the break, Nakamura was firmly in control and applied a chin lock to slow the pace down.
Strowman rocked Nakamura with a hard clothesline and followed up with a shoulder tackle. He then hit a big splash in the corner.
Strowman went for the power slam, but Nakamura slipped out the back and hit a knee for a near fall.
Strowman hit a huge spinebuster. Zayn tried to distract the referee, and Cesaro slipped in with a chair. The referee caught Cesaro, and Strowman knocked him out of the ring.
Zayn passed Nakamura the Intercontinental title. He tried to hit Strowman, but he ducked and hit the power slam for the win.
After the match, Strowman held up the title but Zayn took it back.
In the back, Sheamus mocked Shorty G and showed footage of his attack on Shorty G last week.
In the locker room, Daniel Bryan found a present waiting for him. He unwrapped it and found a nearly decapitated Ramblin Rabbit.
Roman Reigns made his way down to ring. Reigns talked about 2019 being a blessed year, but it ended rough. Corbin’s crew attacked and humiliated him.
Reigns pointed out he always has back up, but this time, he didn’t need his friends. He needed the help of his family.
Reigns said that 2020 is his year. He promised to win the Royal Rumble and headline WrestleMania for the fifth time. He’s going to do that with his cousins The Usos by his side.
The Usos made their way down to ringside. They talked about sitting on the sidelines and it being tough watching Queen Corbin attacking Reigns. They noted if you mess with one of them, you disrespect the whole family.
King Corbin and Dolph Ziggler interrupted and came down to the ring. Corbin promised to win the Royal Rumble and noted Reigns wouldn’t be able to hide.
Reigns then challenged Corbin to a match at the Royal Rumble, and he accepted. Corbin mocked The Usos and Reigns. The Usos then hit a dive over the top rope on to Corbin’s security.
King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler defeated The Usos DQ
The heels had the early advantage. They isolated Jey and cut him off from his corner.
Jimmy got the hot tag and started running wild. He climbed to the top turnbuckle when The Revival made their way to ringside.
Jimmy was distracted, and Corbin took over. Ziggler pulled Jey off the apron and threw him into the barricade.
Roman Reigns music hit, and he came back out. He gave The Revival the superman punch.
Back from the break, Jey was firmly in control and rocked Corbin with a superkick.
Jimmy hit a dive over the top rope, but Corbin caught him and threw him into Reigns.
Corbin jumped Jey and threw him into the ring post.
Reigns then hit the spear on Corbin on the floor for the disqualification.
Reigns cleared the announce table.
Suddenly, Robert Roode returned and jumped Reigns.
The heels took over and beat down Reigns and The Usos.
Roode gave Reigns a spinebuster on the table, and Ziggler hit an elbow on Reigns through the table.
They then buried Reigns under the broken table and chairs.
Next Week: John Morrison goes one-on-one with Big E.
Morrison’s return came in the form of a brief appearance on SmackDown last Friday. Cathy Kelley was trying to interview The Miz backstage after his match against Kofi Kingston, but Morrison answered the door instead and told Kelley that Miz didn’t have anything left to say that night.
In storyline, Miz has been unraveling since his feud with Bray Wyatt where Wyatt taunted his family. Miz lost to Kingston last week and then attacked him after the match before being stopped by Big E.
The Usos and Sheamus also made their returns on SmackDown last Friday. The Usos will be back in the ring on tomorrow’s show, with them facing Baron Corbin & Dolph Ziggler. Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans is also set.
The first SmackDown of 2020 was a night of returns.
The Usos, Sheamus, and John Morrison all made their returns on last night’s show. The Usos came back at the end of the episode, with them helping Roman Reigns fend off Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler after Daniel Bryan had been attacked by The Fiend.
After five weeks of WWE hyping his comeback, Sheamus appeared last night and laid out Shorty G with a Brogue Kick.
Morrison only made a brief appearance during a backstage segment. Cathy Kelley was trying to interview The Miz after his match against Kofi Kingston, but Morrison answered the door instead and told Kelley that Miz didn’t have anything left to say last night.
Miz had tried to attack Kingston after their match but was stopped by Big E.
John Morrison returned to WWE television tonight after the company confirmed his return last month.
On tonight’s episode of SmackDown, The Miz attacked Kofi Kingston after Kingston picked up a win over Miz. Following a commercial break, Cathy Kelley knocked on the Miz’s door backstage to get an interview explaining why he attacked Kingston. John Morrison opened the door instead and told Kayla that The Miz didn’t have any comments.
It was reported by PWInsider back in September that Morrison had re-signed with WWE. It wasn’t confirmed by the company until December during an episode of WWE Backstage.
Morrison had originally been with WWE from 2002 to 2011, where at one point he was featured in a high profile tag team with The Miz. Since leaving WWE, Morrison had worked the independent scene as well as runs with Lucha Underground and AAA.
Morrison, under the name Johnny Impact, had most recently been with Impact Wrestling, winning their World title back in 2018.
Over two months after it was first reported, WWE has confirmed that John Morrison (John Hennigan) is returning to the company.
The official announcement of Morrison returning was made on tonight’s episode of WWE Backstage. WWE.com noted that the contract Morrison signed is a multi-year deal.
Morrison tweeted about the announcement: “Confirmed. I have signed with @WWE – I’ve never been as good at anything as I am at wrestling & I can’t wait to stand again in a #WWE ring opposite the most talented people in the business”
WWE Backstage’s Ryan Satin said that creative ideas for Morrison’s return are still being worked on and it isn’t clear when Morrison will make his first appearance or which brand he’ll be on.
PWInsider first reported that Morrison had signed with WWE in September, with their report also being confirmed by Dave Meltzer.
Morrison departed Impact Wrestling after Slammiversary XVII this July. He was a one-time World Champion while with Impact.
When Morrison returns, it will be the first time he’s appeared for WWE since 2011.
The man of many ring names is returning back to where he earned his first one as PW Insider’s Mike Johnson reported Thursday morning that John Morrison is returning to WWE for the first time in eight years.
No contract details or start date was given. Our Dave Meltzer also confirmed the report.
The 39-year-old has remained busy since leaving WWE in late-2011 with runs in Lucha Underground, AAA, and Impact Wrestling. He has also been involved with several independent film projects and TV shows including an appearance on CBS’ Survivor.
Morrison (real name John Hennigan) won a developmental contract on the third season of WWE Tough Enough in 2002. After working in OVW, he earned a brief call-up in 2004 before coming up full-time in 2005 as part of MNM with Joey Mercury and Melina. During his six years in WWE, he won the Intercontinental title three times, the tag team titles five times, and the ECW title once.
