One night before their showdown for the undisputed WWE Championship on Saturday Night’s Main Event, titleholder Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens will speak on tonight’s SmackDown in Hartford, Connecticut.
The last time the two met in a match was at August’s Bash In Berlin when Rhodes defeated Owens to retain his championship. A lot has changed since then.
The semifinals of the inaugural Women’s United States Championship tournament will take place tonight as on one side of the bracket, Chelsea Green will face Bayley. On the other side, Tiffany Stratton takes on Michin. The finals will take place Saturday to crown the new champion.
Bayley advanced by defeating Candice LeRae and B-Fab while Stratton beat Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport.
Carmelo Hayes, who lobbied with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis for a match last week, will step into the ring against a mystery opponent.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 PM Eastern.
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– Footage of Tiffany Stratton and Michin entering the building opened the show. Bayley was shown signing something and Chelsea Green was shown throwing her bag at someone. The Bloodline and LA were also shown walking backstage. Cody Rhodes exited his bus as well. Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out with the aid of a crutch.
The Jimmy Uso segment
Weird. This sure did feel like a retirement speech … but then Jimmy pulled the nose up at the end and said next year is going to be great for him … only to have Drew McIntyre hit him with a kick. I understand furthering the McIntyre story and his issues with the original Bloodline, but this felt so much like everyone – Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, CM Punk, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, etc. – called in sick at the last minute and they had to fill eight minutes somehow. Even weirder was that it opened the show. Anyway, whatever it was meant to be, here’s hoping Big Jim has a speedy recovery from his Big Broken Toe.
Jimmy started by saying War Games was lit. He added that it didn’t “get Big Jim, but it got my big toe.” Jimmy said War Games meant everything because it was all about family. He noted how the OG Bloodline came out on top and War Games is behind them. Jimmy said for years, he’s watched his family dominate the WWE universe and the fact that they get to do that is a dream. Jimmy said he was proud to watch Roman Reigns be the most dominant champion. The crowd launched into an “OTC!” chant.
Jimmy said he watched his twin brother become one of the hottest superstars today and he’s proud of that. Jimmy said he was even proud of Solo Sikoa – he added that he might not like him, but he’s proud of him. Jimmy said he finds himself reading what everyone is saying when they wonder about what’s next for Big Jim. He said 2025 will be a big year for Big Jim. He might win the Royal Rumble, he might go after the U.S. title and he might even go after the Universal title. Jimmy said nothing will stop him from what he wants to do and while none of his friends were there, he showed up with a bum toe. Jimmy said next year will be huge for him.
Out of nowhere, Drew McIntyre showed up and hit Jimmy with a Claymore Kick. Drew kept attacking Big Jim until officials came out. McIntyre grinned and walked to the back while Nick Aldis followed and berated Jimmy.
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– Stratton was shown warming up backstage and Nia Jax and Candice LeRae walked in. Jax said when Stratton wins the U.S. title, she won’t need her MITB briefcase. She followed that up by saying she and LeRae will be watching her match tonight.
– Aldis was shown following McIntyre and chewing him out backstage. Bianca Belair and Naomi walked into the frame and Aldis told Drew to go into his office. Drew obliged. Aldis told Belair and Naomi that the investigation into what happened to Jade Cargill was ongoing. Aldis said because of that, Belair had to relinquish the women’s tag titles. Naomi said Belair has never relinquished anything in her life and if Belair needs a partner, it could be Naomi. Belair asked Aldis if that could be an option. Aldis said he’d run it up the flagpole, but if they really want to do it, they’d have to defend the titles next week.
Michin defeated Tiffany Stratton to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [8:25]
A surprising finish, but I’m not mad at it. The crowds continue to get louder in support of Stratton, so that babyface turn is going to hit like hot chocolate on a snowy morning. The finish clearly didn’t go as planned, and the match lost a couple minutes to picture-in-picture, but I like the twist of Michin getting to the finals in what I’m now convinced will be a hell of a TNA Knockouts title bout when Chelsea Green finds a way to beat Bayley later (but we’ll see). Quick question: Are we to believe if Jade Cargill wasn’t out for whatever reason (legit injury, work, etc.) would this be her in the finals?
The two locked up to start things out and Stratton backed Michin into a corner. Stratton threw Michin to the ground and Michin popped back up and attacked Stratton. Michin landed a dropkick and followed that up with some chops. Michin hit a shoulder block on Stratton and Michin threw Stratton to the outside, where Michin hit a dropkick through the ropes. Michin went for a kick, but Stratton caught Michin and hit a double stomp on Michin on the apron as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Stratton went for another double stomp, but this time Michin moved and hit followed that up with a kick to Stratton. Back in the ring, Michin landed a Tornado DDT. Michin did it again and got a two-count out of it. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but that turned into an Alabama Slam attempt from Stratton – but that turned into a Tarantula via Michin. Michin then tried for a shotgun dropkick, but Stratton moved and hit her Alabama Slam for a two-count. “Let’s go Tiffy” chants broke out.
Michin tried a sleeper, but Stratton broke it up and the two battled on the second rope. Michin went to the top, but Stratton cut her off and hit a rolling Senton. Stratton then went to the top and tried a Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Michin moved, but Stratton still hit Michin. Even so, Michin didn’t sell it and hit Eat Defeat for the win.
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– #DIY offered up a vignette and Johnny Gargano reflected on how they were screwed out of the tag titles in Cleveland earlier this year. Gargano said he bottled that deep inside and soldiered on. Gargano noted how he told everyone he’d do whatever it takes to get those tag titles back. Ciampa weighed in and complained about Motor City Machine Guns getting a title shot right away. Ciampa said they are on to better days because they are now two time WWE Tag Team Champions. Ciampa closed it out by telling everyone they are #DIY.
The Roman Reigns Video
Paul Heyman stood behind Roman. Roman began by saying it’s been a rough year and not that long ago, they ran everything until through the spring and summer, it fell apart. He lost his title, he lost his Wise Man, he lost The Bloodline – the entire Bloodline. He said most importantly, he lost his Ula Fala. Roman said four years ago, Solo Sikoa wasn’t there and he didn’t take the Ula Fala; he earned it. Roman said his uncles crowned him with the responsibility. Roman said January 6 on Netflix, it will be Tribal Combat with him vs. Solo Sikoa and he will take back his Bloodline and his Ula Fala and his respect. Roman said once he has that respect, the whole world will have no choice but to acknowledge him.
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– Legado Del Fantasma was shown talking to Nick Aldis backstage. Santos Escobar asked Aldis what kind of show he was running. Escobar said maybe they’d be better off with Adam Pearce. Carmelo Hayes walked into the frame and said he’d make light work of his mystery opponent and started his walk to the ring. The show then went to a break.
Braun Strowman defeated Carmelo Hayes [1:30]
A simple squash. Poor Carmelo Hayes. He went from being involved in one of SmackDown’s gems each week with the story between him and Andrade and their seven game series. But then that thing ended with a dumb conclusion and … I guess we’re never going to get a proper finale? Did neither guy really want to do the job that bad? Or did the bookers not want either guy to do the job that bad? Either way, now the fella is losing in 90 seconds to mystery opponents. Not great.
Melo made his entrance and stood in the ring … only for Braun Strowman’s music to hit. Strowman walked out and looked bigger than he did before. Melo tried to push Strowman, but Strowman grabbed Melo by the throat. Eventually, Melo jumped at Strowman, but just bounced off the big man. Strowman ran at Melo, but Melo moved and Strowman ran into the ring post. Melo followed up with a dropkick to Strowman’s leg and a DDT for a one-count. Melo jumped off the top rope and Strowman caught Melo, hit the powerslam, and that was it.
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– LA Knight was interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. Knight did all his catchphrases and said the one thing he’s always done throughout his career is handle his business. He referenced how he initially didn’t want to be involved with Bloodline business. Knight said he doesn’t have love for anyone in the family – except he likes Jey Uso, and Knight then offered a “Yeet!” Knight said Solo Sikoa will, in fact, remember Knight when it’s all said and done.
– Solo Sikoa made his entrance and stood in the ring with a microphone. The crowd chanted “OTC!” Sikoa did the “acknowledge me” bit. Everyone booed. Sikoa then said, “Roman Reigns …” but before he could finish his thought, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the ring for their match.
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [11:20]
This was a better-than-expected match. Sikoa and Knight aren’t burning down houses with their in-ring work, no matter how popular they are, but this turned out all right. Knight getting the win, even if it was via DQ, was a tiny bit surprising, but it’s not like Sikoa lost anything coming away as the official loser of the match. Fatu is so great. The way he popped up to attack Knight and end the match was like a live action horror film, but pro wrestling. Kind of. Anyway, good work from everyone involved. Oh, and speaking of that Andrade/Melo feud and what has happened to both guys since and the post-match scene here …
The two jawed at each other after the bell rang before they traded blows. Sikoa got the best of it and repeatedly headbutted Knight. Knight fought back and clotheslined Sikoa over the top to the outside. Sikoa pulled Knight outside and rammed Knight’s back into the ring apron. Sikoa slammed Knight on the commentary table and posed. Sikoa then threw Knight into the crowd barrier. Knight rolled back into the ring, but the action went right back outside. Knight threw Sikoa into the ring steps and slammed Sikoa onto the commentary table.
Knight pounded on Sikoa and rolled Sikoa back into the ring. Before long, Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop on Knight. Sikoa ran at Knight, but Knight got the boot up and hit a bulldog on Sikoa. For the third time, the action spilled outside at about the four-minute mark and Knight dropkicked Tama Tonga. From there, Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Knight on the commentary table. The show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Sikoa had the upper hand. Sikoa set up and tried a Superman Punch to mock Roman Reigns, but Knight countered it into a back suplex. The two got to their feet and exchanged punches, but Knight took Sikoa down with a flying clothesline. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight hit a running knee on Sikoa and set up for a BFT, but Sikoa rolled to the outside. Knight clotheslined both Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga outside the ring. Knight then back body-dropped Fatu over the commentary table.
Back in the ring, Sikoa hit a super-kick and went for a Samoan Spike, but Knight countered with a Side Effect. Knight went to the second turnbuckle and jumped to the top to hit an elbow for a good near-fall that had the crowd heated. Fatu woke up, went nuts and grabbed Knight, ending the match in a DQ. Fatu then hit a hip attack on Knight, who was against the crowd barrier. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Knight and the Bloodline beat him down until Andrade and Apollo Crews ran out for the save. It didn’t quite work because the Bloodline quickly took them out, too. Sikoa, Fatu and Tonga stood tall to end the segment.
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– Strowman was shown walking backstage and he ran into Pretty Deadly. They offered Strowman a spot in “Pretty Deadly The Musical.” Strowman shook his head and walked to Byron Saxton. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller showed up. Waller offered Strowman a chance to be a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect next week. Strowman said he’d do it.
Chelsea Green defeated Bayley to advance to the finals of the Women’s United States Championship Tournament [12:11]
Clunky at times, and the crowd didn’t do them any favors, but they got where they needed to go. Green vs. Michin the finals of this thing really is surprising, but in a good way. Making things more surprising is that there really wasn’t a lot of shenanigans here designed to protect Bayley. Green’s win wasn’t entirely clean, but it wasn’t like Niven had a huge role in the match. If Green wins that title Saturday night, you have to think it’s going to be one of the loudest pops of the night, right? Like Stratton, crowds just refuse to boo her and that momentum builds larger each week.
Green ran right into a Bayley-To-Belly suplex that felt flat and Bayley only got a two-count out of it. The two then traded pin attempts until Green slapped Bayley to slow things down. Green punched Bayley and threw Bayley into a corner, but Bayley moved and took back control with a running clothesline and a two-count. Bayley landed a pair of arm-drags and a clothesline. Green rolled to the outside and Bayley chased Green. When they returned to the ring, Niven tripped Bayley and Green took advantage of that. Green had the upper hand as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Green still had the advantage. Green rolled Bayley up for a two-count. The show cut to a PIP with the trailer for “Mufasa The Lion King” taking the bigger box. Back to it, Green was working over Bayley on the apron and Bayley ran Green into the ring post. Bayley followed that up with a neck-breaker and a sliding clothesline. Bayley then suplexed Green on the outside. Bayley rolled Green back into the ring and executed a back suplex for a two-count.
Bayley went to the top, but Green cut her off and landed a running knee. Green went to the second rope, but missed a Vader Bomb. Bayley sunset flipped Green into the turnbuckles, but Green kicked out at two. Bayley went for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Greej countered with a rollup. Green hit a Rough Rider for a good near-fall. Bayley then planted Green and went to the top, but Niven dragged Green to the outside. It was outside where Bayley hit Niven with an elbow. Green then threw Bayley into the timekeeper’s area. Green returned to the ring and the referee counted, but Bayley beat the count. Green kicked Bayley in the head and hit an Un-Pretty-Her for the win.
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– A Motor City Machine Guns vignette aired. Turns out, Alex Shelley will face Johnny Gargano next week.
– A Nakamura vignette aired. It had subtitles and he said one by one everyone will fall to him. He said LA Knight was just the beginning and Knight is pining for something that he no longer has. Nakamura closed by saying he is inevitable.
– Stratton was walking backstage and ran into Jax, who said it was a tough night, but not everyone is meant to be a champion. LeRae walked in and said next week, LeRae and Jax will team to face Naomi and Belair for the women’s tag titles. Jax was excited and said they need to go brainstorm. LeRae stuck back and told Stratton that maybe Stratton isn’t cut out for singles wrestling.
– Cole and Graves ran down the card for Saturday Night’s Main event.
The Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment
A very underwhelming go-home segment. It was also not what they advertised, in terms of the two talking to each other, but that’s pretty much how these things typically go anyways. The brawl itself even kind of/sort of came up tame and lacked a spark, which was surprising considering how good both guys are at brawling. Just not a lot here. I hope they deliver on Saturday night. If I hadn’t seen any of the build to the match prior to this go-home segment, I’m not sure I would think they will.
Michael Cole stood in the ring and introduced Cody Rhodes. Cody walked to the ring in a suit, sans tie. Cole then introduced Kevin Owens, and nothing happened. Cody said Kevin Owens wasn’t there, but the crowd was there, so he would do the interview with Cole alone. Cole referenced the video from this week with Paul Levesque and Cody and the possibility of the return of the winged eagle belt.
Owens appeared on a video screen, cutting a promo from his car again. Owens said Cody used all his friends to help him finish his story and Owens asked Cole to ask Cody about that. Owens said Cody is as bad a friend as he is a son and a brother. Owens said there was something he meant to tell him: It didn’t matter how long Cody is champion, the truth will always be that Cody was way more interesting as Stardust.
Cody said he was sure Owens had a lot more zingers up his sleeve. Cody threw his belt to the canvas and said he would go find Kevin Owens now. The camera followed Cody through Gorilla and Cody shouted “Kevin!” backstage. Owens appeared out of nowhere and the two brawled in Gorilla and back out into the arena. Owens was getting the best of Cody while wearing a Stardust t-shirt. Officials came out to try and break it up, but Owens fought them off. Cody then got the upper hand and he started beating up the officials, too.
The wrestlers got into the ring and brawled and more security and officials appeared. Cody broke away from them and hit a splash on Owens. Cody kicked Owens and Owens went down. While officials held Cody back, Owens hit Cody in the head with his title. Owens threw the title on top of Cody and the crowd booed. Owens left the ring and the show ended with the visual of Cody being down on the mat.
