Tag: Wwe Smackdown Results

WWE SmackDown live results: Triple H addresses WrestleMania press conference

Posted on by Colin McGuire

One day after the WrestleMania 40 press conference in Las Vegas, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H will address Thursday night’s events. 

At the press conference, Cody Rhodes announced his intentions to challenge Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The Rock slapped Rhodes as the event wound down, prompting Rhodes, The Rock, Reigns, and Seth Rollins to be separated.

The Rock and Reigns were angry at Rhodes for talking about their family. They warned Triple H to fix the situation.

Also on tap tonight, Bayley is scheduled to discuss why she left Damage CTRL last week. Bayley will challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. 

DIY will take on Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate. The winners of the match advance to Elimination Chamber to challenge Judgment Day for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.

Bianca Belair will square off against Michin in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match as well. Plus, Nick Aldis will reveal United States Champion Logan Paul’s Elimination Chamber challenger.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Corey Graves welcomed everyone into the show as video of Triple H walked backstage. A video recapping the WrestleMania XL press conference from Thursday aired. Back in the arena, Triple H’s music hit and out, he came. 

The Triple H segment

It’s hard for me to think if you’re a WWE fan that you don’t know about what happened last night, but Hunter did a nice job of solidifying what we all thought was coming after last night. I’m not sure how they shoot the press conference angle and don’t immediately follow that up with Rock and Roman the next night on SmackDown, but I’m just a guy with a keyboard. Plus, there is a PLE in two weeks that they have to start to put together. Anyway, I was expecting a little more from this, but basic isn’t always bad. 

Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce were already in the ring for the segment. The crowd chanted “Triple H!” Hunter opened by saying it feels like they are on the road to WrestleMania. He followed that up by saying the press conference Thursday kicked off the journey down the road to WrestleMania. The crowd chanted “Rocky sucks!” Hunter said it felt like there was confusion in the air because “some people don’t know their role.” 

Hunter mentioned that someone tried to assert their authority, and they don’t have authority. He followed that up by saying there’s only one person who has authority and it’s him. Hunter then made the announcement that Roman Reigns will defend his title against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania. The crowd chanted “Cody!” Hunter said his decision might disappoint some people, but (in a Rock voice) “It doesn’t matter if you don’t like that decision.” Hunter finished up by saying “Welcome to the road to WrestleMania.” 

Aldis stepped forward and brought up Seth Rollins and the World Heavyweight Championship. Aldis said that Rollins’s challenger at WrestleMania will be determined at the Elimination Chamber. Aldis then handed things off to Pearce, who announced Randy Orton, Bronson Reed, Kevin Owens, Logan Paul, AJ Styles, The Miz, Bobby Lashley, Ivar, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, LA Knight and Dominik Mysterio will compete in separate matches to determine who will wrestle at Elimination Chamber. Pearce then announced that McIntyre will face Styles will take place right now in the first qualifying match.

McIntyre walked out with a microphone and Drew thanked everyone for feeling the same way about CM Punk as he does. Drew said Punk won’t get any profits from the t-shirt that Drew has been wearing featuring Punk’s grave. McIntyre took credit for Cody choosing Roman and said “you’re welcome” to the crowd. McIntyre said he’s going to save the world title by winning the Elimination Chamber and he would give WWE a champion who is best for business. Styles made his entrance and the show went to a commercial break. 

**********

– Sami Zayn and Randy Orton were shown arriving to the building earlier in the day. Those two will face off in the second Elimination Chamber qualifying match of the night. 

– As the Styles/McIntyre match was about to begin, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked to the ring to sit in on commentary. 

Drew McIntyre defeated AJ Styles to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [11:18]

A pretty good WWE television match. It was a nice touch to see McIntyre on SmackDown if only because it made the match feel fresher than some opening matches have felt in recent weeks/months. At first glance, my guess is Styles costs Knight his spot in the Chamber whenever Knight has his match and Styles and Knight work together at the Chamber, but feel free to rub it in when that prediction turns out to be wrong. Also of note: Wow, that bump Styles took from the top rope to the floor towards the end of the match looked wild for a regular, old SmackDown match. Kudos to him for going for it. 

Styles went after McIntyre’s knee to begin the match. McIntyre chopped the hell out of Styles, though, and that took Styles down. Styles went for a splash, but McIntyre caught Styles and slammed Styles. McIntyre hit more chops until Styles stood right back up and chopped McIntyre, who eventually hit a back-breaker to keep control. Styles fired up with a dropkick and went back to Drew’s knee. Styles went to the top and McIntyre chopped Styles off the top to the floor outside. From there, McIntyre threw Styles into the timekeeper’s area as the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from that break, the match was in the ring and Styles landed a tornado DDT. Styles followed that up by kicking McIntyre’s knee and landing a running elbow. Styles fired the crowd up so I guess he’s a babyface again? Styles set up for a Styles Clash, but McIntyre countered and ran Styles into a corner. McIntyre lifted Styles and went to the second rope, but Styles countered that into a running powerbomb for a two-count. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. 

Styles tried to lift McIntyre, but Drew got out of it and landed a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre sold knee pain while setting up for his finisher. Drew ran at Styles, but Styles moved and worked a calf crusher until McIntyre made it to the ropes for a break. Styles went for a springboard move, but McIntyre caught Styles and threw him to the floor, where Styles hit an enziguri before McIntyre threw Styles over the commentary table. Knight poured water on Styles and that made Styles mad. Drew then hit Styles and rolled him back into the ring. Styles rolled McIntyre up, but Knight distracted the referee. As a result, McIntyre followed that up with a Claymore Kick and got the win.

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Sami Zayn backstage. Zayn said nothing is certain in WWE around WrestleMania season. Zayn noted how he was in the main event of WrestleMania last year and this year, he’s watching as his window for this year is closing fast. Zayn said Randy Orton is one of the best to ever be in a WWE ring. Zayn said it won’t be an easy path to get to WrestleMania, but it’s a path, so he’ll take it. 

– Footage of NASCAR champion Ryan Blankey arriving to the building earlier today aired. 

– Pretty Deadly were shown walking outside. They looked to the sky and Queen Elizabeth appeared. Kit Wilson showed the effects Pete Dunne’s work on his hand in last week’s match. Wilson and Prince then yelled “Yes boy!” as the segment ended. Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne – as well as #DIY – were shown warming up for their match backstage. 

– A video recapping the Damage CTRL breakup from last week aired. Bayley was then shown arriving to the building earlier in the day. Bianca Belair made her entrance for the next match. 

Bianca Belair defeated Michin to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [7:07]

This was nice in that Michin got more shine than I anticipated she would. It was also a welcome touch to see Belair become borderline obsessed with the WrestleMania sign, signaling how much it would mean to her to punch her ticket to the show. Yeah, two minutes of this was lost to commercial, but all told, this was a pleasant surprise, if only because of how gracious Belair was for Michin, taking her finisher, giving her a lot of offense, etc. Michin is a weird one these days. It’s hard to expect she’ll ever win whatever match she is in, but she’s had some pretty good outings lately, and her match with IYO SKY was a fun television title bout. This was one of the better women’s matches on SmackDown recently. 

Michin started fast and Belair ended up on the outside of the ring. Michin then kicked Belair and the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and both women were down inside the ring. The two traded blows until Michin landed a series of kicks and a neck-breaker. Michin went for a Cannonball, but Belair moved and hit a back-breaker. Belair was on the top rope and Michin landed a super-plex for a two-count. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but Belair countered into a KOD attempt. Michin worked out of it and did hit Eat Defeat, but Belair rolled to the outside. Back inside the ring, Michin set up for a Styles Clash, but Belair back-body-dropped her way out of it, kit the KOD and that was it. 

**********

– Bron Breakker and Triple H were shown talking backstage. Hunter said Bron has been impressive and he’s anxious to see what he can do on the main roster. Breakker said he wanted to pick Hunter’s brain about where he thinks Bron should go. Paul Heyman walked into the frame out of nowhere and shook Bron’s hand. Breakker then left the scene and Hunter asked Heyman what Heyman wanted. Heyman said he’d give Hunter some space, but he’ll be back next week and when he’s back next week, he’s going to bring Roman Reigns and The Rock. 

The Bayley segment

Umpf. And I say that respectfully. I root for Bayley as a performer. I really do. And I’m inclined to like Dakota Kai, too. But I’m still a little confused about how this ended. Kai looked like she was going to attack Bayley, she then kind of/sort of tried to, but Bayley moved and Kai kind of/sort of hit SKY and then followed that up by trying to hit Asuka and Sane … but Kai initially came at Bayley, right? Or am I imagining things? Kai and Bayley standing tall and together in the middle of the ring to end the segment (I guess?) suggests they’re aligned in some way, but perhaps not? I’m not sure what they were trying to accomplish, but whatever that was, I don’t think they did it. On the bright side, at least the crowd seems to be fully behind Bayley, which is fun to see again after so many years of her being a heel.

Bayley soaked in cheers as she stood in the ring. Bayley said she’s been having a tough time trying to put words together about what happened last week. The crowd chanted “Bayley!” and Bayley smiled. Bayley said maybe she had it coming last week, but right now, she and the fans “are cool right now.” Bayley noted how the fans know how much she gives to pro wrestling. Bayley said Damage CTRL meant everything to her and “You deserve it!” chants broke out. Bayley said Damage CTRL was her family and she always put the group ahead of herself. She said all Damage CTRL did was take from her. 

Bayley said she thought her former stablemates would be happy for her after she won the Royal Rumble, but she knew they were talking about her behind her back. Bayley said at WrestleMania, SKY is going to learn the hard way. Dakota Kai interrupted things without music and walked to the ring saying she’s been worried Bayley had been ghosting her. Kai said she was put in a tough spot, but she always believed in Damage CTRL. Bayley asked Kai why she didn’t tell Bayley what was happening. Kai said she and Bayley were like sisters and they always had each other’s back. Kai said she wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for Bayley. 

Kai touted Bayley winning the Royal Rumble. Kai said she thought the situation with Kairi Sane and Asuka would blow over, but it didn’t. Bayley asked Kai where she stands. Before Kai could answer, IYO SKY’s music hit and out came SKY, Asuka and Sane. Kai rolled out of the ring and Sane, Asuka and SKY surrounded Bayley. Kai grabbed a chair and set up to hit Bayley, but instead, Kai hit Sane and SKY with the chair. Kai looked confused and dropped the chair. “Hug it out!” chants began. Bayley’s music hit to end the segment as both Kai and Bayley looked confused and reluctant. 

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Randy Orton backstage. Orton recalled Zayn’s words that it’s not a given that people make it to WrestleMania. Orton recalled how he was injured for ‘Mania last year. Orton said he learned patience because of that. Orton said he plans on getting to the Elimination Chamber and the three most destructive letter in all of sports entertainment are “RKO.”

– Turns out, Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley will be one of the Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. 

Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tomasso Ciampa) to advance to face the Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber [8:28]

Hey there. I didn’t know I was covering AEW’s Rampage again. Or. I went to a SmackDown and an AEW tag team match broke out. Or … all right, that’s enough. This was a lot of fun and not what we’re used to seeing on WWE TV. You could tell all four guys wanted to go out and burn the place down and they pretty much did just that. Good on them, too, because the crowd got behind them at various spots and it felt like both teams benefited from this match, no matter the winner. I don’t know what Triple H has up his sleeve for Dunne and Bate, but I’m not going to complain about this little push they’re receiving. Considering the earlier Pretty Deadly vignette, my guess is they figure into Dunne and Bate losing at the Chamber, but the match should be pretty good before it gets there. This was really fun. 

Bate and Gargano started the match and shook hands. They traded a ton of pin attempts. Dunne tagged in and shoulder-blocked Gargano to the canvas. Ciampa tagged in and took Dunne down before the action spilled outside, where things broke down and Gargano landed a splash on Bate. Gargano and Ciampa did the pat-themselves-on-the-back thing and the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Ciampa was cleaning house and landed an inverted DDT on Bate for a two-count. 

All four were in the ring again and Gargano landed an assisted Poison-Rana on Dunne. Gargano hit a discuss lariat on Bate, but before long, Bate worked an airplane spin/swing combination on Ciampa and Gargano. Dunne got back into the mix and stomped on Gargano’s hands. Ciampa tagged in and kneed Bate. Ciampa hit a Project Ciampa on Bate for a good near-fall. Bate and Ciampa traded strikes and Bate got the best of it until Ciampa kneed Bate in the head and tagged in Gargano. 

Gargano was bleeding from the nose (I think). Bate hit a double clothesline on Gargano and Ciampa. Bate hit a suicide dive on Ciampa outside the ring. Meanwhile, inside the ring, Dunne landed the Bitter End on Gargano for the win. 

**********

– Byron Saxton interviewed Dominik Mysterio backstage and Dom said he’s going to win Elimination Chamber. Dom said he doesn’t care who he has to face in a qualifying match … and Kevin Owens walked into the shot saying he will face Dom next week in a qualifying match. Owens said he’s going to beat Dom next week and dedicate the win to Rey Mysterio. R-Truth then showed up and called Owens “Miz.” The crowd chanted “We want Truth” very loudly. 

– Pearce and Aldis were shown talking backstage. Logan Paul walked into the room and complained about being in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Paul whined about having to wrestle next week in Utah. Paul said he should be getting “The Rock Treatment,” but said he’ll still do it, even though he won’t be happy about it. Aldis said next week, Paul will face The Miz on next week’s SmackDown to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. 

– Next week, Logan Paul vs. The Miz and Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio will take place. Also, Shotzi vs. Tiffany Stratton and Naomi vs. Zelina Vega will happen. All four matches will be Elimination Chamber qualifying matches. 

Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn to qualify for the Elimination Chamber [10:50]

Poor Sami Zayn. The guy was in the middle of the hottest his career has ever been in pro wrestling last year around this time and 12 months later, he feels … directionless? Kind of. Maybe. Probably. Much like I do for Bayley, I root for Zayn, but he feels cold now and the prospects of that changing soon seem slim. In the meantime, he worked hard here and along with Orton, produced a good-enough match. Of all the matches tonight, this suffered the most from predictability – Randy Orton isn’t missing the Elimination Chamber, friends – but that didn’t stop both guys from going out there and doing what they could to get the crowd up. With McIntyre and Orton as the first two who secured their spot in the Chamber, it should be fun to see who joins them as the weeks unfold. 

Orton had control early. It wasn’t long until Orton found himself on the outside and Orton walked around the ring. Back in the ring, Orton worked a series of punches, until Zayn turned things around and worked his own punches. Orton returned the favor and finished things with a European Uppercut. The two went outside the ring and Zayn hopped on the barricade and landed a moonsault on Orton. Zayn tried to another dive, but Orton caught him with a forearm. Zayn then slammed Orton on the commentary table and the show went to its final commercial break of the night. 

When the show returned, Zayn was pounding on Orton inside the ring. Zayn landed a tornado DDT for a two-count. Zayn went to the top, but Orton cut him off. Orton hit a super-plex from the top. Zayn eventually fought back with some shoulder blocks. Orton came back with a series of clotheslines and a snap powerslam. Orton set up for a draping DDT, but instead, Zayn dumped Orton to the outside and Zayn landed a suicide dive. Orton then slammed Zayn on the commentary table. 

From there, Orton ultimately hit the draping DDT. Orton set up for the RKO, but Zayn rolled Orton up for a two-count. Zayn followed that up with a Blue Tunder Bomb for a good near fall. Zayn tried a springboard move off the second rope, but Orton moved, hit an RKO and that was enough for the win. 

After the match, Drew McIntyre stepped into the ring. Orton and McIntyre jawed at each other to close the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Royal Rumble go-home show

Posted on by Colin McGuire

On the eve of the Royal Rumble, SmackDown takes place from Miami tonight.

A singles match between LA Knight and Solo Sikoa is part of the lineup for the episode. At the Royal Rumble, Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles are challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWEUniversal Championship in a fatal four-way match.

Santos Escobar will go head-to-head with Carlito tonight as well. Carlito was out of action recently due to an attack from Escobar.

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane). Chance & Carter retained their titles against Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn last week.

Also, in a rematch from two weeks ago, Austin Theory will step in the ring with Carmelo Hayes. There will also be a face-to-face confrontation between The Street Profits & Bobby Lashley and The Final Testament.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show. The Kabuki Warriors and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter were shown walking backstage. We then got a video recapping last week’s main event. 

– Eladio Carrion made his entrance. With a microphone inside the ring, Carrion welcomed everyone into SmackDown. Carrion then introduced Randy Orton. 

The Randy Orton segment

This was pretty basic, but essential to try and get some final heat on the four-way at the Rumble. Styles kicking Orton was mildly surprising, and it didn’t really pack a punch, but it was a nice way to get out of the segment. Knight showed good fire here – more than he has in a while on WWE TV – but while that stood out, there wasn’t much to say about any of this.

Orton said he bet nobody thought he was friends with Carrion. Orton said he was there to talk about the Bloodline. Orton said the Bloodline has been on a hell of a run and mentioned how Roman Reigns has been holding his title for almost 1,300 days. Orton said that’s unheard of and nobody can stop the Bloodline … except for him. Orton said the only number after Saturday night that will matter is “15,” because Orton will be a 15-time world champion after he beats Reigns. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton said he is going to win courtesy of the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, “RKO.” 

AJ Styles’ music then hit and Styles walked out. Styles asked Orton if he was looking past AJ Styles. AJ said he asked Nick Aldis if he could have a match with Solo Sikoa and instead, Aldis gave the match to LA Knight. Styles walked into the ring and told Orton that Orton should know better. Styles reminded Orton of their history together and Styles said Orton has a receipt coming. Styles said he will step over Orton, Reigns and Knight. On cue, Knight’s music hit and Knight came out. 

Knight had a microphone and said “Let me talk to ya!” from the walkaway. Knight talked about how Styles has been “crying” ever since be came back to WWE. Knight noted how he didn’t really want to fight Sikoa later. Knight said Paul Heyman lobbied to have Knight wrestle tonight to soften him up for the Rumble. Knight said he’s not going to complain. Knight said he was going to walk over everyone at the Rumble to become the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion. Knight said “Yeah!” and threw the microphone down. Knight left the ring and Styles Pele Kicked Orton to end the segment. 

**********

Santos Escobar defeated Carlito [9:50]

Is it me, or was Carlito moving a bit slower than anticipated there? Either way, these two worked fairly well together. The headline is Lopez’s call up to the main roster and I’m very curious to see how she does under the biggest spotlight WWE has to offer. She’s been a work in progress in the ring on NXT, though her mic work has improved significantly. Will she wrestle more on the main roster or will she be positioned as Legado Del Fantasma’s manager? It should be interesting to see how that faction evolves after the Rumble. 

Carlito fired up to open the match and threw a series of punches and kicks. Carlito kept control with a fury of strikes until Escobar ran Carlito into the middle turnbuckle. Carlito went to the outside and was the recipient of a dive from Escobar as Humberto and Angel distracted Carlito. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from break, Carlito ran into an elbow and Escobar got a two-count out of it. Escobar then ripped Carlito’s shirt off of his upper body. 

Escobar tore the tape off Carlito’s shoulder. Escobar hit a double knees in Carlito and followed that up with a Frankensteiner from the top rope for a two-count. Escobar worked an arm bar on Carlito. Escobar pulled Carlito down by his hair and stomped on Carlito. Escobar went back to the arm-bar, but Carlito fired up and took Escobar down with a dropkick. Carlito landed a neck-breaker and a spine-buster. Carlito followed that up with a knee and Humberto distracted the referee as Angel pulled Carlito to the outside. The LWO and Humberto and Angel brawled on the outside. Out of nowhere, Elektra Lopez attacked Zelina Vega, which distracted Carlito. Escobar then rolled Carlito up for the win.

**********

– Styles was shown walking backstage and he ran into Jimmy Uso. The rest of The OC walked up and asked Styles what that was about. Styles told them not to worry about it.

– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Ava walked into the frame, asking Aldis for tips. In walked the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley, who drew a number for the Royal Rumble. Escobar walked in and drew a number for himself. Neither number was revealed. 

– A video profiling Bayley aired.

– R-Truth was shown drawing a number for the Royal Rumble alongside Aldis and Ava. Truth called Aldis “Adam” and “Mr. Pearce.” Truth asked the GMs if he had to quarantine, so I suppose the guess is he drew 19. 

The Kabuki Warriors (Kairi Sane & Asuka) defeated Katana Chance & Kayden Carter to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship [9:02] 

Perhaps the most predictable outcome of the WWE weekend. Good for Chance and Carter at least getting a tiny run as champs on the main roster, but this outcome felt more probably than anything else on the card. The story of Damage CTRL having all the gold and then Bayley maybe winning the Royal Rumble seems as intriguing to me as anything else the company has going on in its women’s division. The match here was pretty good despite a couple iffy moments. Chance and Carter worked hard, but if those tag titles are going to get back to having a notable profile, they need to be on Asuka and Sane moving forward. Sane’s InSane elbow is one of prettiest moves in all of wrestling. 

Carter and Asuka started the match, but it wasn’t long before Chance tagged in and the champs landed a couple double-team moves. With Asuka and Sane on the outside, Chance hit a plancha on both as the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Sane and Asuka hit a series of double-team moves on Chance to keep control. Asuka ran at Chance, but Chance pulled the second rope down and Asuka spilled out to the floor. Sane ran at Chance and Chance threw Sane to the outside, but Carter wasn’t on the apron for a tag. Eventually, Carter tagged in and hit a splash onto Sane and Asuka. 

Carter hit a running boot to Asuka before landing a springboard leg-drop on Asuka for a two-count. Sane tagged in and the Warriors hit a double-team move on Carter for a near-fall. Sane landed a spinning back-fist on Carter and Sane went to the top. Sane went for her elbow, but Carter got her feet up and Sane landed on those feet. Asuka tagged in and Carter got in a modified Sister Abigail. Chance tagged in and the champs hit the Keg Stand, but Sane broke the pin attempt up. 

Things broke down and Sane and Chance fought on the outside. Sane Slammed Chance onto the commentary table. Asuka kicked Carter in the head and tagged in Sane. Sane went to the top and this time landed the InSane Elbow for the win. After the match, the rest of Damage CTRL came out and celebrated with the new champs.

**********

– Paul Heyman was talking to Solo Sikoa backstage. Heyman asked Sikoa to “fix the problem” and to not be merciful in his match later. Jimmy Uso said Sikoa was scary and Heyman told Jimmy said Roman got to Tribal Chief level because he saw a moment and seized it. Heyman mentioned Seth Rollins and told Jimmy to seize the moment and enter the Royal Rumble, win it and challenge Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. 

– Bianca Belair and Bayley were shown picking their numbers for the Royal Rumble match. 

The Final Testament/Street Profits/Bobby Lashley segment

I don’t think we can debate Kross needed this reboot. I think it’s working. Kind of? Maybe? OK, so perhaps it’s too early to tell for sure, but I’m willing to keep an open mind as this Final Testament stuff unfolds. They need a strong start and they’re off to it, getting the best of Lashley and the Profits each week. This was no exception.

Bobby Lashley introduced the Profits and himself to the crowd. Lashley said the people of Miami came to see a fight and a fight is what they wanted to bring the Final Testament. The Final Testament’s music then hit and out they came. Scarlett walked into the ring and stared down Lashley, who called Kross a coward. Montez Ford said the Final Testament is scared. Paul Ellering had a microphone and spoke from the walkway. Ellering said there is no fear in Karrion Kross, who then began to speak and the crowd gave him the “What?” treatment. Kross told the crowd to “shut the hell up.”

The crowd booed heavily. Kross told Lashley that Lashley wasn’t in control anymore. Kross said Lashley wasn’t going to get his fight tonight. Lashley said Kross lied because they indeed are going to fight tonight. Scarlett jumped onto Lashley and Kross ran Lashley into the ring post. AOP beat the Profits down in the middle of the ring. The faction then attacked Lashley. Kross his the Kross Hammer and stood tall to end the segment. 

**********

– Jimmy Uso showed up to Aldis’s office to draw his Rumble number. Jimmy seemed unhappy with his number. 

– A video recapping the Kevin Owens/Logan Paul stuff from last week aired. 

Austin Theory defeated Carmelo Hayes [6:59]

A seven-minute match with a commercial break in the middle of it. Did we really need to do this? I appreciated WWE’s position on stopping their first match out of caution, but that didn’t mean we had to do the whole thing again if it was just going to be this. The biggest story here was the appearance of Trick Williams on main roster TV and damn, that crowd let the world know he wasn’t going to disappoint. I know he’s over in NXT, but holy cow, turns out he’s over in all of WWE. There’s a lot of money in Hayes and Williams in the coming years. Here’s hoping WWE doesn’t drop the ball on them.

Hayes gained an early edge and Theory went to the outside. the match reset and Theory threw Hayes outside, where Grayson Waller hit Hayes. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Hayes fired up and hit a face-buster for a two-count. Hayes went to the second rope, but Waller distracted him and Theory pulled Hayes to the ground. Theory landed the Ataxia for a two-count. Theory lifted Hayes, but Hayes worked out of it. Waller got on the apron and Theory and Hayes traded roll-up attempts, but Theory grabbed the tights and ultimately got the win. After the match, Waller and Theory attacked Hayes, but Trick Williams’s music hit and Trick made the save. The crowd went nuts and yelled “Whoop that Trick.” Hayes appeared bothered that Williams was there. 

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Carrion backstage. Braxton asked him who he thought would walk out as champ and he said he thought Randy Orton would. The Bloodline walked into the frame and stared Carrion down. 

LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [8:40]

Poor Solo Sikoa (and so much for that squash against John Cena). This was fine for what it was. The final minutes of the last three or four SmackDowns have all been far too similar for my liking, but that’s just me. Knight looked fired up, carrying that same energy he brought to the show’s opening segment, so that was a welcome surprise. The match was just kind of there, between the commercial break and the fomulaic nature of everything. Sikoa, meanwhile, has become the beacon of losses. Here’s hoping that changes after the Rumble this weekend, but seeing is believing. 

Knight had control early and stepped on Sikoa’s hands before kicking Sikoa to the outside. Knight followed him and slammed Sikoa’s hand on all the tables on the outside. Knight ran Sikoa into a ring post and wrapped Sikoa’s hand around the post before slamming it against it multiple times. Knight rolled Sikoa back into the ring and went for a springboard splash, but Sikoa caught Knight with a punch. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night. 

When the show returned, Sikoa landed a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Before long, Knight rallied and landed a bulldog from the second rope. Knight hit a bunch of punches and a running clothesline, complete with a side Russian Leg Sweep. Knight stomped on Sikoa. Knight punched Jimmy Uso off the apron and then DDT’d Sikoa. Knight clotheslined Sikoa over the top rope and the action spilled outside. Knight slammed Sikoa on the commentary table. Knight landed a running knee on Sikoa, but AJ Styles appeared out of nowhere and hit Knight with a flying elbow to give Knight the DQ win. 

Styles ran Knight into the ring steps after the match. Jimmy Uso approached Styles with a chair and Jimmy put the chair down, suggesting Styles attack Knight with it. Styles picked up the chair and Sikoa yelled at Styles. Instead of attacking Knight, Styles attacked Jimmy and Solo with the chair. Randy Orton’s music then hit and Orton ran to the ring. Orton hit Styles and powerslammed Uso. Sikoa pulled Orton to the outside and Orton dropped Sikoa on the commentary table. Orton took his shirt off the and crowd cheered. Orton grabbed Uso and set him up for a draping DDT. Jimmy took it. Styles got back into the mix and Orton did the same to Styles. Orton RKO’d Styles and that was enough to end the show … until Knight showed up and gave Orton a BFT to truly end the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Royal Rumble contract signing

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Roman Reigns will be in the house at SmackDown tonight to sign the contract for his fatal four-way title defense at the Royal Rumble.

Reigns is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles at the Rumble on Saturday, January 27. They will meet tonight to sign the contract and make their match official.

Also on tap, Orton will square off against Bloodline member Solo Sikoa. Last week’s show ended with Sikoa and Jimmy Uso being laid out by Orton, Knight, and Styles after a three-on-two handicap match.

The KO Show returns as Kevin Owens welcomes United States Champion Logan Paul as his guest. The two are set to face off at the Royal Rumble for the U.S. title. 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defend their belts against Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn tonight. Carlito, Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro are taking on Santos Escobar, Angel & Humberto. And Butch & Tyler Bate are facing Pretty Deadly.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– A video recapping last week’s Bloodline developments aired. It included all of the main event (which, again, I apologize for the power outage on my end, thus ruining the end of last week’s review. But, hey: it’s a new week!). 

– Jimmy Uso was talking to Solo Sikoa backstage. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman walked into the frame. Reigns said he was there because the rest of his family didn’t fix things like he asked them to. After Reigns walked away, Sikoa said, “I’ll fix everything.”

The Royal Rumble contract signing

It was intriguing in a mild way that Reigns didn’t appear in the opening segment. It makes me wonder if he’s actually physically in the building despite the cold open and if perhaps they produced some pre-tapes for the episode. I’ll probably look foolish for that by the end of the night when he ends up factoring into the Orton vs. Sikoa match, but I digress. Anyway, this was fairly formulaic. My biggest takeaway from the Styles/Knight/Orton stuff all this time is that it really seems like Knight and Styles don’t like each other and that’s the next big feud for both of them once everyone moves past the Rumble. If it ends up playing out like that, everyone involved is doing a very good job heating that up. Orton, meanwhile, comes across as a shelf above both guys in terms of star power, and I’m not so sure about how many favors that might be doing for Styles and Knight.

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis was in the middle of the ring. Aldis welcomed the crowd in. Aldis introduced AJ Styles, who walked to the ring and signed the contract. Aldis then introduced LA Knight, who played to the crowd and signed the contract as well. Aldis followed all of that up by welcoming Randy Orton to the ring. Once in the ring, Orton signed the contract as well. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Finally, Aldis introduced Roman Reigns, who did not initially appear. Instead, Paul Heyman walked out with a microphone in hand. 

Heyman said he and Reigns had just arrive and they had not had the chance to submit the contract to an attorney beforehand. Heyman said he didn’t even have a chance to get his eyes on the agreement. As a result, Heyman said Reigns will not sign the contract. Aldis it’s fine if Reigns won’t sign the contract because he already has three signatures on the contract, so if nothing else, a triple-threat match for the “vacant” WWE Universal Undisputed Championship will take place. 

Heyman marched back to the ring and said he cared deeply about Aldis. Heyman said he respected and admired the mediocre job he’s done as the person in charge of SmackDown. Hey complimented Aldis’s suits and said there would be no way Aldis could sell that scenario to anyone, including the Tribal Chief. Heyman said Reigns should be defending his title in a one-on-one match at the Royal Rumble. Heyman tried to go on, but Knight told him to “shut the hell up.” Knight said he’d “cut bacon off” Heyman’s back if he says another word. Knight said it should have been his match, but Orton and Styles came back to skip the line.

Styles chimed in and said the Bloodline tried to end his career and Knight walked over Styles’s dead body to get his match with Reigns and Knight lost. Styles said Knight was lucky to be in the match. Knight said Styles should watch the bass in his voice when he talks to Knight and Styles should turn his attention to Reigns. Knight told Styles he’d leave Styles laying and did his catchphrase. That kicked off a brawl between Styles and Knight until WWE officials broke them up. The crowd, meanwhile, chanted “Randy!” as Orton stood and did nothing. Left in the ring was Orton and Heyman and Orton grabbed Heyman’s tie. Orton said what Heyman tried to do won’t work because he’s going to drop Sikoa later in the show. After that, Orton said he would reintroduce the “RKO” letters to Reigns. Orton’s music played the segment out. 

**********

– Aldis was shown walking backstage and was stopped by Styles, who told him he wants LA Knight in a match for later. Aldis told Styles he’s got it. 

Santos Escobar, Angel & Humberto defeated Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde  & Carlito [8:25]

This was fine for what it was. You watch enough WWE, you can’t help but get the formula down as a viewer and that’s pretty much what this match turned out to be. You had to think the heels would get a cheap win and they did. Here’s my biggest question: What happened to the Wilde leaping spot from NXT? That was nuts. Why can’t they re-create that on the big stage? My hopes were high as the match went to a commercial break and the heels were on the outside, but it was not to be. The initial NXT moment was a fun, viral memory and it’s one Del Toro and Wilde could use on the main roster. Also, I may be in the minority, but can we start to move away from these six guys and these two factions and have them all move on to something perhaps bigger? I feel like everyone involved here has been working together in one way or another for months (yes, I know Angel and Humberto are relatively new to the equation, but … damn, guys, let’s try to branch out a little). 

Angel and Carlito started the match as Angel took Carlito’s knee out. Carlito quickly rebounded and chopped Angel to the ground. Del Toro tagged in and traded blows with Angel. Wilde tagged in and worked a double-team move that resulted in a springboard moonsault on Angel. Humberto tried to interfere, but Wilde got the best of them. From there, Del Toro and Wilde completed stereo dives onto Angel and Humberto, who were on the outside. Escobar stared at the babyfaces as the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from the break, the heels had control as Angel landed an assisted neck-breaker. Escobar ultimately tagged in and Humberto and Angel threw Wilde onto Escobar’s knee. Angel tagged in and bullied Wilde before Humberto tagged in and worked a chin-lock. Wilde eventually worked his way out of it and hit a spike DDT. Ultimately, Carlito received the hot tag and he cleaned house on the three heels. Carlito slammed Humberto, but Escobar broke things up. Things broke down and a lot of super-kicks were traded amongst the wrestlers. Escobar got in a blind tag and after Carlito hit a back-stabber, Escobar ran into the ring and rolled up Carlito for the win.

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Pretty Deadly backstage. They said they had been studying tapes on Butch and Tyler Bate and they are “pretty smart boys.” The two then made their entrance. 

– Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits cut a vignette. They called out The Final Testament and said they just need to name a time and place and when that happens, they will show the Final Testament “what real intimidation looks like.”

Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) [7:20]

I said in the last few weeks that I have a soft spot for Dunne and Bate, so I enjoyed this. Dunne returning to Dunne was really neat and he even showed more fire and less of that goofy, wild, crazy stuff he was asked to do with the Brutes. This feels more authentic and I’m here for it. My only concern is that the live crowds still don’t seem to be all that behind Dunne and Bate. Maybe they are still getting acquainted. But maybe it’s not working, either – and that’s my fear. Levesque seems to give wrestlers a longer rope compared to the previous regime when it comes to getting over, so here’s hoping Dunne and Bate get more of a chance then just a few TV matches. Meanwhile, what’s up with Pretty Deadly? They seemed to be positioned for a push when they first got to SmackDown, but they’ve been taking nothing but losses lately. Both teams are curious cases when it comes to the future, but both cases are interesting enough to keep me caring about them week to week. 

Tyler Bate made his entrance first and instead of coming out as Butch, Pete Dunne came out as … well … Pete Dunne, complete with his old gear. Very cool. Bate and Wilson started the match, but Dunne tagged in soon and instantly started going after Wilson’s fingers. Dunne had a ton of fire and aggression as he stretched Wilson. Bate tagged in and spun Wilson around a bunch before Wilson rolled to the outside and the show went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned, Prince had control on Bate inside the ring. The heels kept control as Wilson tagged in and landed a gut buster. Wilson leapt at Bate, but Bate caught Wilson and suplexed him. Dunne then received the hot tag and Dunne fired up with a German Suplex and a stomp on Wilson’s hands. Dunne then kicked Prince and suplexed Prince onto Wilson. Dunne ran at Prince, but Prince kicked Dunne. Bate then tagged in and punched Prince and clotheslined Wilson. Dunne then tagged in and did the finger spot on Prince before hitting the Bitter End on Prince for the win.

**********

– Pretty Deadly was shown walking backstage and they ran into Braxton. Wilson yelled that they weren’t ready. Prince said they were prepared for Butch, but not for who came out. They kept yelling and walked out of the frame. 

The KO Show with Logan Paul

Man, the crowd was up for this. A lot more up for it than I thought they would be. Atlanta loves them some Kevin Owens. The two did a good job establishing who they are – Paul as the obnoxious entitled celebrity and Owens as The Guy To Defend Wrestling. It’s an easy story, but it works, and it worked here. So much so that it made me raise my eyebrows even more for their match at the Royal Rumble. Clearly, Owens will have an out with his arm – and my guess is Paul walks out with that title still in his possession – but it should be a lot of fun getting there. 

The crowd chanted “KO!” and seemed to love Owens, who thanked them for loving him. Owens said he was about to say something he never thought he’d say: “Please welcome my guest on The Kevin Owens Show, Logan Paul.” Paul made his entrance. There were no chairs in the ring, so the two just stood in the middle of it while holding microphones. Paul mocked The KO Show and said he wasn’t honored to be there. Paul called it a bottom of the barrel show. Paul said he is the show. Paul said he owed Owens a thank you because Owens is the reason Paul is in WWE. Paul threw to a clip, which showed Owens giving Paul a Stunner at WrestleMania 37 in 2021 in Tampa. 

The crowd chanted “one more time!” Paul told the crowd to direct their anger at Owens because he’s the reason Paul became a WWE superstar. Owens responded by saying he’s been wrestling for almost 25 years and to him, Paul was just another celebrity he Stunned. Owens gave Paul credit for putting in the work as a wrestler. Owens said as good as Paul is, he’s not “one of us,” referring to other wrestlers on the roster. Paul said thank God for that because he’s “one of one.” Paul used a ton of superlatives to say who he is. Paul followed that by saying Owens is just Owens. Owens funnily responded by saying he didn’t know what any of that meant. The crowd chanted “Logan sucks!” 

Owens said he heard all the put-downs Paul lobbed Owens’s way, but Owens said he isn’t allowed to say everything he wants to say about Paul. Owens said Paul is protected and sheltered. Owens said Paul was offered all the tools he needed to win a title once he got to WWE. Owens said Paul holding the U.S. title is a joke and he will put an end to that joke at the Royal Rumble. Paul claimed he wasn’t listening to anything Owens said. Paul noted how Owens’s arm is protected and the only way Owens knocked Paul down was because of Owens’s cast. Paul said it will only take a second to “KO K.O.” 

Owens said everyone knows he can take more punishment than anyone else. Owens said there isn’t a punch Paul could throw that could knock him out. Owens then gave his word that he wouldn’t have the cast on the the Rumble. Owens took the cast off and out of nowhere, Paul sucker-punched Owens, who was knocked down. But Owens got up and yelled at Paul and speared Paul. The action spilled outside and Paul rammed Owens’s hurt hand into the ring post. Paul stood over Owens, holding the U.S. title to end the segment. 

**********

– Roman Reigns was shown talking to the Bloodline backstage. Reigns was lecturing Jimmy Uso, but Solo Sikoa stepped in and said last week was on him. Sikoa said tonight, he’ll show Reigns that he can fix everything. Sikoa walked out of the frame and Jimmy followed him. 

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeated Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship [2:56]

Not much to this. So much so that I feel bad for all four women involved. Shoot, I feel bad for all nine women involved – throw the Damage CTRL ladies in there, too. In a different world, Chance, Carter, Fyre and Dawn could have a very good 12-minute match. SmackDown, these days, isn’t that works. As a result, this was just sort of there. The slow match to Asuka and Sane holding those belts continues.

Damage CTRL stood at ringside for the match and Bayley sat in on commentary. Unholy Union jumpstarted the match and attacked Carter. Chance eventually tagged in and tried to fire things up by working over Dawn. Things broke down early as the four women brawled. Fyre tagged in and traded roll-ups and pin attempts with Carter. Ultimately, Carter landed a Destroyer on Fyre and from there, Carter and Chance hit their finisher for the win. 

After the match, Asuka and Kairi Sane taunted the champions by holding the women’s tag titles. Chance and Carter grabbed them away from the Damage CTRL duo and asked them if “they want some.” Bayley said it looks like we know who the next challengers for the women’s tag titles will be. 

**********

– The OC was shown backstage and AJ Styles walked in. Luke Gallows told him that no matter what, they still have Styles’s back. Styles walked away.

– A Final Testament vignette aired. From there, a recap of the Austin Theory/Carmelo Hayes match aired. That included the way it abruptly ended. HAyes was then interviewed by Cathy Kelley. Hayes said thankfully, last week, both guys were able to walk away. Hayes said even though he didn’t win, he also didn’t lose. Theory walked into the frame and said Hayes tried to end Theory’s career last week. Hayes challenged Theory to a match on next week’s SmackDown. Grayson Waller accepted the challenge on behalf of Theory and Theory looked unhappy about it. 

– Next week, Carlito will wrestle Santos Escobar. Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits will go face-to-face with The Final Testament. Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory will happen. Plus, the Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & and Kairi Sane) will go up against Carter & Chance for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. 

La Knight defeated AJ Styles via DQ (I think?) [4:48]

There was never an official announcement on the winner, but Sikoa attacked Knight first, so one could only assume he’s the winner despite AJ taking the bulk of the attack after the bell rang to end the match. The match screamed “angle alert” and wouldn’t you know it, the thing turned out to be little more than an angle. I maintain that Styles and Knight will work a program coming out of next Saturday, but only time will tell for sure. As for this, there wasn’t much to say. They got in what they could while they could.

The two brawled to begin the match. Knight ran Styles into the second turnbuckle. Knight followed that up with a vertical suplex and a cover attempt. The two trade chops amid a tiny bit of miscommunication. Styles won that war and and hit a back-breaker. Knight fought back and slammed Styles for a two-count. Styles rolled to the outside and Knight followed him, only to run into a knee from Styles. Styles threw Knight into the barricade and Knight returned the favor by dropping Styles on a barricade. Knight slammed Styles’s head onto the commentary table. 

Jimmy Uso then walked out. Knight addressed Uso and Uso backed off. When Knight returned to Styles, Styles landed an enziguri. Out of nowhere, Solo Sikoa appeared and gave Knight the Samoan Spike. Sikoa ran Styles into the ring steps. Sikoa then hit a Samoan Spike on Styles. Sikoa grabbed a microphone and said “Two down, one to go.” Sikoa called out Randy Orton. 

Randy Orton defeated Solo Sikoa [5:12]

… And speaking of “angle alert” … . The main event was not really a main event – and as I wrote elsewhere this week, can we please start talking about how Sikoa has taken almost 20 straight losses since that dominating win over John Cena in Saudi Arabia? That said, there was nothing to the actual match here on this night. The set up for Roman ultimately signing the contract and running into an RKO was fairly predictable, but entertaining, nonetheless. How they go home next week should be interesting because I’m not sure what else they could do between the four wrestlers involved in the title match to make it more interesting. Still, go-home week is typically a lot more fun than just a regular, old week. We’ll see.

Sikoa took control early, hitting a hip attack before Orton rolled to the outside, where Sikoa slammed Orton on the commentary table and ran Orton into the ring steps. Sikoa posed as the show went to its final commercial break of the night. When the show returned, Orton suplexed Sikoa onto the commentary table, but the table didn’t break. Sikoa bounced back, landed a few strikes and rolled Orton into the ring. From there, Orton hit the draping DDT and fired up the crowd. Jimmy Uso walked to the ring, but Knight attacked Uso from behind. Uso tried to leave, but Styles attacked Uso, too. Back inside the ring, Orton hit the RKO for the win.

After the match, Orton, Styles and Knight stood in the ring. Knight hit Styles. Orton RKO’d Knight and mocked Knight’s catchphrase. Orton then RKO’d Styles. Orton posed, but Reigns appeared out of nowhere and Superman-Punched Orton to stand tall (so much for my pre-tape theory). Nick Aldis, who was at ringside, gave Reigns the contract and Reigns then signed the contract while smiling. Reigns geared up for a spear on Orton, but instead, Reigns ran into an RKO. Orton’s music hit and Orton stood up, much to the delight of the crowd. Orton was the only one standing to end the show.

WWE SmackDown live results: Royal Rumble build continues

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble challengers are set to appear on tonight’s SmackDown from Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles are all slated to be featured after SmackDown GM Nick Aldis announced last week that the three will challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble. Aldis made the decision after Reigns and The Bloodline disrupted a triple threat number one contender’s match.

Also on tap: Bianca Belair vs. Bayley. Last week, IYO SKY, Bayley’s Damage CTRL stablemate, told Bayley to take out Belair after Belair confronted the faction. 

The LWO’s Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro are set to face off against Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo. Wilde & Del Toro are still seeking revenge on Santos Escobar for turning against the LWO. 

Grayson Waller will also wrestle Cameron Grimes after the two interacted backstage last week.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Kevin Patrick welcomed viewers into the show. Grayson Waller’s music hit and Waller came to the ring with Austin Theory. Patrick then threw to a video recapping last week’s main event, including the development that the fatal four-way match was made for the Royal Rumble. Cutting back to the show, The Bloodline was shown attacking Cameron Grimes as he made his way to the ring. 

The Bloodline segment

I’m a fan of switching up the WWE formula, so I can’t complain about how the show began, with the attack on Grimes and all. My only complaint is that … well, come on. When will Cameron Grimes ever get any booking love? Anyway, I got a kick out of how Waller and Theory bailed so quickly when The Bloodline got into the ring. And I like selling Jimmy and Solo as badasses, but at this point, they are getting to the point where they take too many losses to be taken seriously. Quick poll (that will be obsolete and make me look stupid by 10:01 p.m. EST): Do we think the Bloodline gets a third man? And if so, who will it be?

Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa were the main attackers and they ran Waller and Theory off. Paul Heyman then got a microphone and called Nick Aldis a “James Bond wannabe.” Heyman said it’s practically guaranteed that Roman’s title will be lost at the Royal Rumble because of the stipulation. Aldis walked to the ring as Heyman said Aldis was the bad guy. Aldis then grabbed the microphone out of Heyman’s hand. 

Aldis started by saying Heyman is not Aldis’s equal. Aldis then said the four-way match at the Royal Rumble is a done deal. Aldis said The Bloodline will not ruin anymore matches because they will be in the main event of tonight’s show. Aldis then announced Sikoa, Uso & Roman Reigns vs. AJ Styles, LA Knight & Randy Orton as the main event. Heyman was fuming and tried to grab the mic back, but Aldis wouldn’t let it go. Heyman told Aldis that Reigns wasn’t in Nebraska for the show. 

Aldis said Reigns started something he can’t finish. Aldis said Heyman has until the main event of the show to find a third man. If he can’t, Aldis said it will be a 3-on-2 handicap match. Patrick and Corey Graves then ran down the card for the night. 

**********

– Heyman was talking to Solo and Jimmy backstage and Heyman told them not to worry and he would find them a tag partner for later. 

Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo defeated Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro [9:54]

And here I was convinced that we were going to get the LWO launch spot we got from NXT in some way. Sad. That aside, these four guys worked really hard and I thought they looked very good together – so much so that I wouldn’t oppose a rematch at some point because this was overshadowed by the Carlito/Escobar brawl. This incarnation of the Garza/Carrillo team feels the strongest it’s been in WWE, so here’s to high hopes for them moving forward. 

Santos Escobar sat in on commentary. Del Toro and Wilde had control early, complete with a stereo dive onto the heels on the outside. Quickly, the heels got the upper hand as Garza held the roped and Del Toro fell to the outside. Garza then landed a running knee on Del Toro and the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from break, the heels landed a pair of impressive double-team moves to get a two-count on Del Toro. Eventually, Garza tagged in, but Del Toro got the hot tag to Wilde and worked over Garza, including a spike DDT for a two-count. Carillo and Garza threw Wilde off the top and Carrillo hit a nice-looking sit-out powerbomb for a two-count. Garza tagged in and super-kicked Wilde. 

The LWO trio regained control with a corkscrew plancha from Del Toro onto Carillo on the outside. Carrlito’s music then hit and Carlito brawled with Escobar through the crowd. Garza then rolled up Wilde and held the ropes to get the win. 

**********

– Aldis and Carmelo Hayes were talking backstage but they were interrupted by Theory and Waller. Hayes mentioned how he beat Waller a lot. Hayes challenged Waller to a match tonight. Waller said he couldn’t, so Aldis made an Austin Theory vs. Hayes match for later. 

– Backstage, the LWO was walking backstage and Heyman walked into the frame to offer Carlito a spot in the main event. Heyman even had an apple in his hand. Carlito turned him down, but took Heyman’s apple and walked away. 

– Logan Paul cut a promo saying he might sue Kevin Owens because of the black eye he has from the shot he took via Owens’s cast last week. Paul called Owens a cheater. Paul said if he’s going to have a match with Owens, Owens is going to have to do it without his cast. 

– A video from earlier today aired with Butch and Tyler Bate. They were sharing coffee. Butch said he can handle himself. Bate said they had fun beating Pretty Deadly last week. Butch told Bate to shut up. Bate pitched meditating with Butch, who said everything they did was in the past and they should do things separately. Bate said they could show the world what British Strong Style is all about. The video ended with Butch staring into the distance and without resolution.

**********

Bianca Belair defeated Bayley [16:24]

Wow. Nearly 17 minutes for the women. You love to see it. The story between Bayley and Damage CTRL continues, and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s about to jump the shark. We get it. This has been building for a while. When does the next step come? As for the match, it was pretty good. Two professional wrestlers put on a very good professional wrestling television match. The awkwardness with the pins toward the end can be forgiven, if only because of how much weight they were carrying. Good for them, though. They got the time and they delivered. 

The two locked up and Belair rolled up Bayley a few times to no avail. Belair had control for a lot of the first third of the match, but Bayley fought back as the crowd chanted “Bayley sucks!” Belair fired up and hit a trio of bodyslams. Belair ran at Bayley, but Bayley tripped her up and draped Belair on the second rope. Bayley was jawing at the rest of Damage CTRL and that allowed Belair to take control. Belair then landed a splash on Bayley, who was on the outside. Belair was pumped and the show went to break. 

Back from that commercial, Bayley had control on Belair inside the ring. Bayley pounded on Belair. Belair fought out and hit a spine-buster to even things out. Belair fired up and landed a shoulder-block. Bayley fought back and hit a running knee. Bayley then tied Belair’s braid to the bottom rope. Bayley ran at Belair, but Belair used the braid to trip Bayley and then free herself. Belair stretched Bayley on a ring post, but Bayley came back by running Belair into the ring post. 

Belair lifted Bayley for a KOD and instead threw Bayley into a ring post. Back inside the ring, Belair landed a series of shoulder-blocks. Belair hit a vertical suplex on Bayley. Bayley tried to pull on the braid, but Belair used it to her advantage and and punched Bayley. Belair landed a back-breaker for a two-count. Belair went for a springboard moonsault, but Bayley caught her and ran Belair into a corner. Ultimately, Belair bounced back and hit that moonsault and it resulted in a near-fall. Belair lifted Bayley for a KOD, but Bayley countered and went to the top. Bayley landed an elbow drop and that resulted in a near-fall. 

Bayley tried to roll up Belair for the win and used the ropes, but the referee stopped her. Belair rolled to the outside and Bayley wanted Damage CTRL to attack Belair, but they wouldn’t and that caused frustration. Back in the ring, Belair hit a spear and the KOD for the win.

**********

– Kevin Owens cut a promo backstage and said he needs to talk with Logan Paul about stuff next week face to face on SmackDown. Owens then invited Paul onto The Kevin Owens Show next week. 

– Dakota Kai talked to Bayley backstage and tried to reassure her. Kai said Bayley would have to win the Royal Rumble match on her own, which is why the faction didn’t interfere. Bayley looked disappointed as the scene ended. 

– Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits walked to the ring without suit jackets and meant business. Lashley grabbed a microphone and called out the Kross/AOP faction. Lashley told them they wanted to settle things right here and right now. The lights went out and Paul Ellering walked out to point at the big screen. A Karrion Kross/Scarlett video aired on it. Kross introduced AOP. Kross revealed the group’s name as The Final Testament. That was the end of that.

– Backstage, Pretty Deadly approached Heyman and pitched themselves as the partners for Sikoa and Uso later. Heyman said he needed only one person so Pretty Deadly backed off. 

– A Carmelo Hayes vignette aired. Hayes then made his entrance for the next match. 

– Lashley and the Profits were shown walking backstage. Heyman approached them and asked Lashley to work out his aggression by teaming with Uso and Solo later. Lashley said the only time he wants to be in the ring with the Bloodline is when he’s standing across from Roman Reigns. 

Austin Theory vs. Carmelo Hayes ended in a no contest [9:04]

Umpf. You hate to see the X sign, no matter what. The two were having a pretty good match up until it, but I actually thought Theory’s head-plant on the apron before the commercial break got Theory down. The move that called the match off did not help. Here’s hoping both guys are all right. 

Theory backed Hayes up into a corner and jawed at him. Hayes worked multiple head-locks before hitting a standing dropkick. Theory was draped on the second rope and Hayes hit a Fadeaway. Hayes then slammed Theory’s head on the apron and the show went to break. Back from break, Theory landed a rolling shotgun dropkick. Theory tried to suplex Hayes, but Hayes countered with a suplex of his own. Hayes followed it up with a springboard clothesline and a face plant for a two-count. The two traded unsuccessful pin attempts before Hayes landed a super-kick. Theory ran Hayes into a corner and Theory went for something from the second rope, but both guys landed awkwardly and the ref held up the X sign to signal the end of the match. 

**********

– Next week, Dawn & Fyre will take on Chance & Carter for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. The contract signing for the Royal Rumble main event will take place. Also, The KO Show with Logan Paul will go down. 

– Backstage, Heyman was talking to Uso and Solo. Heyman said there wasn’t any man in the building worthy of standing beside the Bloodline. 

– Randy Orton made his entrance, but Sikoa and Uso attacked him from behind as the show went to break. 

La Knight, AJ Styles & Randy Orton defeated Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso [maybe 12:00?]

For the first time in my history of covering live wrestling on television, all of everything went out – electricity, internet, television, all of it. But I wanted to get the result up ASAP. The match was going along well enough until everything cut out. Orton, from what I understand, made his triumphant comeback, as was expected, but I can’t lie to you – I can’t speak truth to the full match and I very much apologize. Here’s to thinking this inspires Roman to go full-on a-hole next week because at this point, after all the technology nonsense, I’m happy to side with a-holes. 

Because of the attack, Orton went to the back and we got a traditional tag team match. Styles had control over Uso and tagged in Knight, who worked over Uso with a series of kicks and punches. Styles tagged back in and eventually, Knight and Styles hit a bunch of chops on Sikoa, which took Sikoa to the outside. From there, the show went to its final commercial break. 

Back from break … well, my internet connection went out. But, from what I understand, the babyfaces got the win. 

WWE SmackDown live results: New Year’s Revolution

Posted on by Colin McGuire

SmackDown kicks off 2024 tonight with a special New Year’s Revolution episode.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is set to make an appearance on the show. His challenger for the Royal Rumble will be determined tonight when Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles square off in a triple threat match. All three have been staking claim to being the number one contender to Reigns’ belt.

Also on tap is the finals of WWE’s United States title number one contender’s tournament. Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar will face off with the winner advancing to challenge Logan Paul for the US title at the Royal Rumble.

Paul, meanwhile, is also slated to appear on tonight’s show. 

Michin will challenge IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship tonight. Michin was part of a team that beat Damage CTRL on the December 22 edition of SmackDown.

Butch must also find a partner to team with him against Pretty Deadly. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– A video recapping The Rock’s return on Raw aired to open the show. An SUV pulled up in the back and Roman Reigns stepped out of it. Reigns was met by Kayla Braxton, whose microphone didn’t initially work, so I’m not sure what she asked. Either way, Reigns just laughed and walked away. 

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. Kevin Owens’s music hit and to the first match, we went. The commentary team was Patrick and Corey Graves, so the two were swimming without the lifeboat that is Michael Cole.

Kevin Owens defeated Santos Escobar to win the U.S. title tournament [16:47]

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a welcome change of pace to have the show begin with a match and not some 12-minute promo that sets up an unannounced main event. So, kudos to WWE for that. The match itself was pretty good, but it never kicked into the next gear for me. Both guys worked hard and crowd was fantastic, biting on almost every near-fall, adding great texture to everything that went down in the ring. Still, the outcome felt predictable considering how we had to think they would go with a babyface vs. heel dynamic at the Royal Rumble. Escobar is a heel. Owens is a babyface. The math is easy. Either way, this was a fine opener – good, but not great. 

Before the bell rang, Logan Paul’s music hit and Paul walked to the ring, where he sat in on commentary. The LWO’s Del Toro and Wilde ran out and fought Carillo and Garza to the back. Owens capitalized on that and ultimately landed a frog splash for a good early-match near-fall. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Owens had control and stared at Paul. Owens went to the top, but Escobar cut him off and Escobar slammed Owens’s arm into the ring post. 

Escobar worked Owens’s arm inside the ring. With Owens on the outside, Escobar landed a tope suicida and posed. Escobar went for Owens’s arm, but Owens kicked his way out and rolled back into the ring, where Escobar went to the top. Owens climbed up with him, but Escobar fought him off and jumped off the top, where Owens caught and planted Escobar with a DDT. The two went back to the top and Escobar set up for a super-plex, but Owens countered into a package suplex of his own. The show then went to another commercial break. 

Back from that break, the two were on the top rope yet again and they fought out of it. Owens super-kicked Escobar to the outside and Owens landed a Cannonball before going back to the top, where Owens went for a Senton, but Escobar got his knees up. Escobar then landed a double-knees and a Frankensteiner from the top rope. Escobar landed a splash for a two-count. The crowd chanted “Logan sucks!” and Paul played into it from the commentary table. 

Escobar then placed Owens back on the top rope and hit a step-up enziguri. Owens grabbed Escobar and landed a rolling Senton from the second rope for a good near-fall. Owens went for a Stunner, but Escobar rolled Owens up for a two-count. Owens hit a super-kick and then, after one failed attempt, a pop-up powerbomb. Owens then hit the Stunner and got the win.

After the match, Paul got a house mic and told Owens he will face the greatest United States Champion in history. Paul mentioned he’s had his title for 62 days. Paul got into the ring and said, “You thought a Canadian could have the United States Championship?” Paul mocked the idea of the Vancouver Canucks winning the Stanley Cup. Paul tried to say his own name, but Owens knocked Paul out with a punch from his cast hand. 

**********

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits made their entrance. It’s going to be an All Mighty New Year, they say. As such, the show then went to a commercial break. 

– Logan Paul was walking backstage and was interviewed. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller stepped in and helped Paul. Cameron Grimes then came into the frame and laughed at everyone. Waller shoved Grimes and the show went back into the ring, where Lashley and the Profits were waiting. 

The Bobby Lashley/Street Profits segment

And so, the rumors were true. I won’t lie: I’m intrigued by the AOP/Kross pairing, if only because I guess this means Ellering feels better about going on the road again and Ellering brought so much to that act before he decided to pull back. Whatever the faction ends up being, it could be dominating, which would be welcome for Kross, as he’s been spinning his wheels on the WWE main roster for what feels like lightyears. The presentation here was pretty good and they’re off to a strong start. I’m cautious, but I’m optimistic for where this group goes. 

Lashley welcomed everyone into New Year’s Revolution. Lashley said 2023 was probably the toughest year of his career in WWE. Lashley said he didn’t get the results he wanted in 2023. Lashley said the highlight of the year for him was hooking up with the Profits. Lashley said their resolution is simple – they are going to fight for and take everything they deserve in 2024. Montez Ford chimed in and the crowd chanted “Bobby!” 

Ford said they will take full advantage of every opportunity when it comes to capturing championships. Dawkins spoke, too, and said Judgment Day needs to keep their head on a swivel. Lashley added his personal goal for 2024 is to get back to being “The All Mighty.” Lashley then declared for the Royal Rumble Match. On cue, Karrion Kross’s music played and he walked out with Scarlett – as well as Paul Ellering. A returning AOP then attacked the Profits from behind while Kross walked to the ring and attacked Lashley. AOP hit the Super Collider on the Profits and Kross landed his new finisher on Lashley. Kross and AOP stood tall in the ring to end the segment. 

**********

IYO SKY defeated Michin to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [10:19]

This was really very good despite a few moments that gave me pause. I’m all for seeing Michin/Mia Yim get some national TV time and they gave her all the offense and then some throughout this match. In fact, I’d say it was probably 80-85% Michin dominating and 20-15% SKY getting in what she could. I’d love to think this means Michin will stick around the title picture (or for that matter, in some meaningful way on SmackDown), but I have my doubts. Forget the cynicism for now. This was a strong match between two very good wrestlers and the second-rope Styles Clash that Michin pulled off was nuts. Good on WWE (again) for making sure there was no nonsense involved here, too. No interference. No eye rolls. Solid stuff. 

Michin made her entrance flanked by The O.C., who then went to the back. Damage CTRL then flanked SKY during her entrance, but they also went to the back. The two started off fast without either woman getting the upper hand. Michin tried a couple roll-ups, but SKY ultimately landed a standing double stomp to slow Michin down. SKY ended up on the outside and Michin hit a dive through the ropes to take SKY down. The show then went to a commercial break. 

Back from that break, Michin still had control, and after an odd powerbomb exchange, Michin landed a knee to SKY’s chin and a then Cannonball for a two-count. Michin slapped SKY and then hit a sort of reverse code-breaker. Michin worked a half-crab until SKY made it to the ropes for a break. Michin went to kick SKY, but SKY caught her. Even so, SKY tried a springboard move, but Michin cut her off with a punch to the head. SKY then landed a bridging German Suplex on Michin on the apron to take control. 

SKY followed that up with a springboard shotgun dropkick. SKY tried an Over The Moonsault, but Michin got the knees up. Michin followed that up with a Dragon Suplex for a nice near-fall. Michin tried to lift SKY, but SKY countered with a double knees. SKY went back to the top, but Michin cut her off and went to the top herself. SKY cut Michin off, but Michin caught SKY and ultimately landed a wild Styles Clash from the second rope … but SKY got her hand on the bottom rope to break up a pin attempt. 

With SKY on the outside, Michin went for another dive, but SKY moved and hit a Meteora on Michin on the barricade. SKY got Michin back into the ring, hit a double knees, and, of course, the Over The Moonsault for the win. 

**********

– Paul Heyman was shown backstage and was remotely interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Heyman said The Rock name-dropped Reigns because The Rock wants to sit at the head of the table. Heyman said The Rock needs to be invited to sit there, but The Rock will not be invited. Heyman said there are two ways to go viral in this world – 1. Date Taylor Swift. 2. Call out Roman Reigns. Heyman mocked Cody for talking about finishing his story. Heyman called out CM Punk for saying he was the OG Paul Heyman Guy. Heyman said the man who wins tonight in the main event will be smashed at the Royal Rumble by the Tribal Chief. Heyman said there isn’t one man on the planet who could beat Roman Reigns. 

– SKY was shown walking backstage and Damage CTRL ran up to her to congratulate her on the win. Bayley said she sees greatness in all of Damage CTRL. SKY said IYO’s Era will never end. Bayley kept talking about her plan, which will include Asuka and Sane winning the tag titles and Bayley winning the Rumble match. Bianca Belair walked into the frame and congratulated SKY for winning. Belair said Bayley won’t win the Rumble match because Belair is going to win the Rumble match because Belair just now declared herself in the match. Dakota Kai said Bayley has to take care of Belair and Damage CTRL walked away from Bayley. 

– With Pretty Deadly in the ring, the Brawling Brutes music hit. Butch walked out first, and then walked out … Tyler Bate. That was fun. 

Butch & Tyler Bate defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) [7:51]

Hey, look. It’s Tyler Bate! I’m inclined to err toward Butch and Bate because I stuck with that initial WWE UK stint some six, seven years ago, and those two were destined to be absolute stars coming out of their battles with one another. Shoot, just look up their NXT Takeover bout and watch those kids cook. So, seeing them reunited here makes me feel warm, but that sentiment clearly was not shared by the live crowd, which has been very hot at times, but here, was painfully subdued. Still, for those of us who have followed Bate and the former Pete Dunne, this was a ray of hope that both guys will get more main roster love moving forward. As for the match, Bate played the hits while Butch felt overly enthusiastic. What more could anyone want? Now the question suddenly must be asked: What happens to Pretty Deadly? They seemed to be on a fast track to a high spot on the card and now … not so much.

Bate and Wilson began the match. Bate worked a head-lock and executed some of his signature Tyler Bate spots. Bate toyed with Wilson and posed, which got a very mild response. Butch tagged in and so did Prince. Wilson ran in and Butch worked his fingers spot on Wilson. With both of Pretty Deadly on the outside, Bate and Butch landed stereo dives to send the show to a commercial break. 

Back from the break, Prince was working over Butch. Butch fought his way out and suplexed Prince. Wilson tagged in, but Bate got the hot tag and cleaned house. Bate landed a European Uppercut from the second rope on Wilson. Bate hit a standing shooting-star press and spun Wilson around and around and around. Butch tagged in and the two landed a double-team move, but Prince broke up the pin attempt. Butch went to the top, but Wilson cut him off. Prince then pushed Butch off the top. Butch tagged in Bate and they hit a double Tyler Driver 97 on Wilson for the win. 

**********

– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Ashante Thee Adonis walked into his office. Ashante said he feels lost, but he’s been ready and he just needs an opportunity. Aldis said he believed in Ashante. Aldis said he had ideas for Ashante and the scene cut away. 

– Next week, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley is booked. Cameron Grimes vs. Grayson Waller will also be on tap. Also, Wilde & Del Toro will square off against Angel & Humberto. The show went back to the ring, where AJ Styles made his entrance for the main event. 

Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight ended in a no-contest [19:21 of TV time]

This was a really fun match until the end. Not that the end was bad, because it apparently set up a four-way between everyone involved here, but it would have been far more interesting to see a clean finish between the three advertised wrestlers. I guess this opens up possibilities – maybe The Rock interferes and costs Reigns the title at Royal Rumble and that’s why we get Rock vs. Roman? I don’t think any of us believes that will happen, but it’s a tiny possibility. Anyway, the match was pretty good. The three guys worked hard and I still don’t know what happened to Knight that led to him getting color the way he did. The referee pull-outs were kind of fun (if not a bit trite) in their own way. But while this lasted, it was a strong television main event. 

The match was joined in progress and Styles was working over Orton, until Knight attacked Styles and clotheslined Styles over the top. Orton then clotheslined Knight over the top and everyone was on the outside. Knight slammed Styles off the commentary table repeatedly, but then out of nowhere (pun intended) Orton hit a back body-drop on both Knight and Styles. Knight got it twice. Orton tried again with Styles, but Styles countered and did the same to Orton. 

Styles ran Knight into the ring steps. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Orton was in the ring and Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton cut him off. Orton went for the draping DDT and ultimately hit it on Styles. Orton got the crowd fired up and they were chanting “Randy!” Orton set up for an RKO, but Knight pulled Orton outside and Knight ran Orton into the ring steps. From there, Styles hit a running dropkick on Knight on the outside and all three guys were down as the show went to another commercial break. 

The show returned and Styles was in control, landing a running forearm on Knight. Styles hit a knee to Knight’s stomach. Styles landed a back body-drop on Knight for a two-count. Orton climbed back into the ring, but Styles kicked the hell out of Orton. On the outside, Styles ran Orton into the barrier. Styles slammed Orton’s head into the ring steps. Back in the ring, Knight fought back on Styles and hit a series of punches and kicks to take Styles down. 

Orton came into the frame, but Knight hit a series of punches on Orton. Knight then hit a side Russian leg-sweep on Orton. Knight fired up, but Orton stopped Knight’s momentum with a snap power-slam. Ditto for Styles, who ate the same move. Orton went for an RKO, but Knight countered into the BFT. The ref was going to count to three, but Styles stopped the referee’s count. From there, Knight and Styles traded blows. Styles landed the Pele Kick on Knight to slow things down. 

Styles planted Knight and went to the apron, where he set up for the springboard 450 Splash and he actually hit it. Even so, Knight kicked out at 2.8. Knight was bleeding from his forehead. Styles set up for a Styles Clash, but Orton broke things up. Knight went to the outside and Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm on Orton and Styles actually hit it. But as the pin attempt went down, Knight pulled the referee to the outside to break it all up. 

Roman Reigns’s music hit and Reigns walked out with the rest of the Bloodline. The faction walked to the ring with purpose. Solo Sikoa attacked LA Knight, who really was busted up. Jimmy Uso and Reigns attacked Orton and Styles. Sikoa rammed the ring steps into Orton’s head. Inside the ring, Reigns powerbombed Styles. Nick Aldis appeared as Reigns threw Styles out of the ring. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Knight. Reigns followed that up with a spear on Knight. 

Next up was Orton, who was out on the ring canvas. Reigns hit a spear on Orton as Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Orton as well. Aldis confronted Heyman at ringside and said off mic that Reigns just got himself a fatal four-way with the other three wrestlers at the Royal Rumble. Heyman looked concerned as the show went off the air. 

WWE SmackDown live results: AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa

Posted on by Colin McGuire

For the first time since September, AJ Styles is set to compete in a SmackDown ring tonight when he takes on Solo Sikoa. 

Styles made his return to WWE TV last week when he helped Randy Orton and LA Knight fend off The Bloodline. But Styles then turned heel by attacking Knight as the show was about to go off the air. 

Also, two United States title contender’s tournament semifinal matches will air. Kevin Owens will square off against NXT’s Carmelo Hayes for a trip to the tournament finals. The other match will feature Bobby Lashley going head-to-head with Santos Escobar. 

The NXT North American Championship will be on the line when champion Dragon Lee defends against Butch.

And a Holiday Havoc eight-woman tag-team match will go down as Damage CTRL face off against the team of Bianca Belair, Michin, Zelina Vega & Shotzi. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show opened with a video recapping The Bloodline developments from last week, complete with AJ Styles’s return.

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. Styles’s music hit and Styles walked out in all black. 

The AJ Styles/LA Knight/Randy Orton segment

When you run a live show every week and you come across one of the few that are taped, boy does the editing make things feel like a completely different production. Styles barely spoke and the crowd seemed a little flat for him, but I like the new attitude and look. It’s not a Big Grand Change, but it does freshen him up a bit. I’m probably in the minority, but I was actually kind of hoping for a four-way between Styles, Orton, Knight and Reigns at the Rumble if only because Roman’s singles matches feel way too formulaic anymore. Either way, it should be interesting to see who ends up facing Reigns and then how the other two (presumably) do in the Rumble match.

Styles talked about how Randy Orton wants Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Styles then talked about how Knight wants Reigns. Styles said he didn’t blame either guy and he also didn’t “give a damn about Randy Orton or LA Knight.” Styles said he is No. 1 when it comes to getting his hands on Reigns. Styles said he wanted Reigns at the Royal Rumble, but on cue, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out with a microphone in hand. 

Knight said, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said there is nothing to argue about because after what happened at Crown Jewel, Styles can have Reigns … as long as Knight gets to Reigns first. Knight led the crowd in the “LA Knight, yeah!” moment. Styles talked about how Knight stepped over Styles to becomes buddies with John Cena and get his match. Styles said if Knight or anyone else gets in Styles’s way, Styles will drop them, too. Cue up the Randy Orton music. 

Orton walked out with a microphone and said he can appreciate their issues with Reigns and the Bloodline. Orton said the Bloodline put Orton on the shelf for 18 months. Orton said nothing would get in his way toward Reigns. Knight chimed in and said that the Bloodline took Styles and Orton out, but they did not take Knight out. Knight told them to come along for the ride, but Knight will be the one who gets Roman Reigns.

SmackDown GM Nick Aldis walked out and calmed things down. Aldis said each guy has a claim to face Reigns. Aldis said in two weeks, it will be SmackDown New Years Revolution and at that event, Styles will take on Knight and Orton in a triple threat match. The winner of the match will get Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Styles said that’s fine and walked out of the ring. Styles then said if anyone gets close to the ring during his match with Solo Sikoa later, he will take them out. Styles’s music hit and that ended the segment. 

**********

Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Michin & Zelina Vega defeated Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY, Asuka & Kairi Sane) [12:44]

Shotzi is always good for a terrifying spot in matches like these, but that trashcan lid strike from Sane was nuts. For the obligatory holiday brawl that WWE likes to do, this packed a punch and had a lot more coming out of it than I anticipated. I was just wondering where Dawn and Fyre have been and it should be fun to see them work with Asuka and Sane (presumably) as this plays out into the new year. And good for Michin. She barely ever gets any booking love from WWE brass, but her getting the pin over SKY felt like a nice feel-good touch for a wrestler who deserves more attention than she’s been getting (and I guess the whole AJ/Good Brothers/Michin thing is done?). I had low expectations for this and it far exceeded them. 

The eight women jumpstarted the match and brawled to the outside. The only two in the ring were Belair and SKY and the two traded flips before Belair landed a dropkick and a vertical suplex to take the upper-hand. Bayley ran into the ring and kicked Belair to the outside. Shotzi then entered the ring with a big gift box that had a chair in it. Bayley attacked Shotzi and picked up the chair for herself. Ultimately, Shotzi gainec control and landed a splash onto Bayley after jumping off the chair. Shotzi then landed a splash onto all of Damage CTRL, who were on the outside. 

Michin and Vega fired up, but they were attacked by Asuka and Sane with kendo sticks. Shotzi and Belair then attacked Sane and Asuka with kendo sticks of their own. Belair and Shotzi pulled out a table from underneath the ring. Bayley and SKY cut them off, however, and ran the table into Belair and Shotzi, who were down on the outside of the ring as the show went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned, it was chaos in the ring as bodies were spread throughout the ring, along with gift boxes. Asuka and Michin faced off and Michin hit a power-bomb on Asuka, but SKY followed that up with a shotgun dropkick for a two-count. SKY and Belair were alone in the ring and Belair kicked SKY before breaking a gift box on her head. Shotzi then came off the top and kicked the box off SKY’s head in a wild spot. Sane busted open another gift box and found a trash can lid, which she used to nearly decapitate Shotzi. 

Sane through Shotzi into a Christmas tree and Vega attacked Sane. Asuka then used the mist on Vega. Bayley attacked Belair and Bayley with Asuka worked over Belair on the outside. Sane and Asuka found a bigger gift box and opened it. Isla Dawn popped out. Alba Fyre popped out of a different box and the former women’s tag champs worked over Sane and Asuka. Back inside the ring, Belair lifted Bayley and hit the KOD, but SKY came off the top to hit a moonsault. Michin ran in and landed Eat Defeat on SKY and put SKY on a table. Michin hit a Senton on SKY through the table to get the win.

**********

– Jimmy Uso was talking to Solo Sikoa backstage and the camera panned to Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman, who were sitting down. Reigns asked Heyman who the SmackDown GM was. Heyman told Reigns it was Nick Aldis and Reigns asked Heyman to bring Aldis into the room. Back to the ring, we went, as Dragon Lee made his entrance. 

Dragon Lee defeated Butch to retain the NXT North American Championship [9:43]

Don’t look now, but it appears WWE is content giving Dragon Lee about 10 minutes every Friday to do … well, just to do something. Anything. With whoever. And it works. Pretty much all the time. It works. I have to think the crowd would have responded with more vigor to the late near-falls if it wasn’t such a long day at the office, considering how this was taped last week. But Lee continues to impress and Butch never misses any opportunity he is given. Even if those quick-counter, no-sell PWG sequences last only a handful of seconds, it’s awfully cool to see stuff like this on WWE television – and even more so, on FOX. Both guys worked hard and color me excited to see how often Dragon Lee appears on main roster television to defend this title. 

Butch went for the arm-bar early, but Lee fought out and the two slowed down to square up. Butch ran at Lee and hit an elbow. Butch worked Lee’s arms and fingers. Butch chopped Lee, but ultimately, Lee fought back and hit a boot the face. Butch answered with a chop, but Lee went back to a boot to the head. With Butch on the outside, Lee went for a dive, but Butch cut him off with a kick and a suplex on the apron. The show then went to a commercial. 

With the show back, Butch returned to working Lee’s fingers and arm. Butch stomped on Lee’s hands, but Lee evened things out with a leaping Frankensteiner that took Butch to the outside. Back inside the ring, Butch was in a corner and Lee landed a running dropkick. Lee went for a powerbomb, but Butch countered with a Tiger Bomb for a good near-fall. The two were on their knees and traded chops. They then traded snap German Suplexes. Butch lifted Lee, but Lee got out of it and hit a sit-out powerbomb for another good near-fall. 

A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. Butch went to the top, but Lee cut him off and Butch was stuck in a Tree Of Woe. Lee went to the top, but Butch snapped Lee’s finger. Either way, Lee landed a double stomp. Lee then ran at Butch, but Butch countered with a Bitter End attempt … until Lee countered that with a Destroyer. From there, Lee hit the Operation Dragon for the win. The two shook hands over the match and Butch looked disappointed. 

**********

– Reigns was shown sitting backstage and Heyman introduced Nick Aldis, who stook in front of Reigns, who asked Heyman to leave. Aldis sat down. Reigns asked Aldis if he booked the triple threat and Solo vs. AJ. Reigns said those were good ideas, but a better idea would have been if he ran in it by Reigns first. Reigns said he’s the head of the table and everything goes through him. Reigns said Adam Pearce understood that. Aldis said Pearce is more middle management and Aldis is a general manager. Aldis said the buck stops with him and Aldis recounted how Sikoa took care of John Cena in a way Reigns wasn’t able to take care of Cena. Aldis then said he’s looking forward to the triple threat match and he appreciated the communication. Aldis then said he hoped he and Reigns could get to know each other better. Reigns snarled as the scene ended. 

Kevin Owens defeated Carmelo Hayes to advance to the finals of the U.S. title tournament [10:21]

I’m happy they didn’t go with another cast finish from Owens, so at least there was that. This was a fine TV match. Nothing really spectacular, but nothing disappointing, either. It felt like Owens was willing to do anything he could to help Hayes get a good showing here and Hayes did his best to comply. You had to think Owens would wind up in the finals of this tournament if only because of his recent interactions with Logan Paul, but Hayes showed good fire in both of his matches and it can’t hurt that he at least got one win on The Big Stage. Now, the question must be asked: When do you think we see him again on it?

Logan Paul cut a picture-in-picture promo from somewhere saying that Hayes needed to beat Owens because basically, Paul hates Owens. The two locked up, but nobody had control early. Hayes tired to work Owens’s arm, but Owens got his leg on the rope for a break and the two traded head-locks. Both missed a series of moves until Hayes landed a dropkick and posed a bit. Owens responded with a back-fist and some chops. Owens hit a Senton, but Hayes came back with a springboard clothesline. The action spilled outside, where Owens threw Hayes into the ring steps. The show then went to a commercial break. 

Back from that break, Hayes slammed Owens. Hayes hit a step-up enziguri and an axe kick for a two-count. Hayes went for a suplex, but Owens fought his way out, until Hayes hit a face-buster on Owens for a two-count. Owens draped Hayes on the top rope and hit a spike DDT for a two-count. The two traded super-kicks. Owens chopped Hayes and landed a stiff clothesline. Owens went for a pop-up powerbomb, but Hayes countered and went to the top for Nothing But Net … but Owens ultimately landed the powerbomb, a Swanton Bomb and a Stunner for the win. After the match, Owens extended his hand and lifted Hayes up. Owens shook Hayes’s hand and left the ring. 

**********

– AJ Styles was shown backstage and Michin, Gallows and Anderson approached him. They asked Styles if he was good. Styles pushed them aside and said, “I don’t know. Are we?” The show went back to the ring, where Bobby Lashley made his entrance. 

– A Karrion Kross vignette aired. It ended with Scarlett asking, “Do you see the vision?”

Santos Escobar defeated Bobby Lashley to advance to the finals of the U.S. title tournament [8:16]

It felt like WWE wanted to keep Lashley strong, so I’m a tiny bit surprised this is how the match went, but if you’re looking for a way to debut Carrillo and Garza with Escobar, this packed the biggest punch of their options. The match was OK in a fundamental way. Escobar works big man’s leg. Big man limps a little. Outside interference. Escobar wins. Escobar vs. Owens should be good, though it’s hard to buy into the idea that Escobar comes out of the tournament as the winner (see my previous comment on the Owens match). The story here was the post-match stuff. There just isn’t much else to say. 

Escobar ran at Lashley to begin the match, but Lashley hit a clothesline and then worked Escobar over with some punches. Lashley landed a belly-to-belly suplex that took Escobar across the ring. Lashley threw Escobar around and that wound up with Lashley throwing Escobar over the top rope to the outside. From there, a commercial break commenced. Back from that break, Escobar landed a dive onto Lashley, who was on the outside. Inside the ring, Escobar worked over Lashley’s leg. Escobar went for a pin, but Lashley popped up. 

Escobar landed a pair of double-knees. Escobar worked over Lashley in a corner and placed Lashley on the top rope. Lashley got mad and threw Escobar off the top. Lashley sold leg pain, but still hit a face-buster. Someone appeared at ringside in a mask, but Lashley lifted Escobar high and choke-slammed him. Another masked man appeared and fought the Street Profits out of ringside. Escobar rolled up Lashley and held the tights and got the win. After the match, it was revealed that Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza were the masked men. 

**********

– Butch was walking backstage and started an interview until Pretty Deadly showed up. A brawl then ensued. Nick Aldis broke it up and said Butch needs to find a tag partner and he, along with whomever that is, will face Pretty Deadly in two weeks. 

– Logan Paul cut a promo backstage saying Escobar isn’t in his league while Owens looks like “if Reddit was a person,” which was kind of funny. Paul said the two were only receiving “temporary clout.” 

– In two weeks, Michin will face IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship. The triple threat to see who will face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble will also happen. And the finals of the U.S. title No. 1 contender tournament will commence between Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar. 

AJ Styles defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [11:41]

I mean. SmackDown played that stupid Sikoa attacking Styles video at least 52 times throughout the episode, so I guess we were supposed to care more about this match than at least I did, but a lot of this felt less than stellar. OK, so Styles is pissy. Cool. The crowd, meanwhile, I guess tried to cheer him? All of that felt weird and out of place throughout the actual match here. There wasn’t much to any of it. The show started with Styles, Orton and Knight bickering and the show ended with Styles, Orton and Knight actually fighting. The babyfaces(?) looked dumb all the way around. I suppose the Bloodline wins again.

The two brawled to start the match. Styles hit some chops until he ran into a back elbow from Sikoa. Styles dropkicked Sikoa’s knee and took control with a series of strikes. Styles kicked Sikoa to the outside, where Styles landed a running knee and a splash. The show then went to its final commercial break. 

The show came back and Sikoa back-body-dropped Styles. Sikoa landed a series of punches and headbutts on Styles. Before long, Sikoa threw Styles into the second turnbuckle, head-first. Sikoa landed a hip attack on Styles. Sikoa went for a headbutt form the second rope and Styles moved. Styles hit a pari of forearms and got the crowd fired up before landing a moonsault for a two-count. 

Styles ran at Sikoa, but Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Sikoa went for a clothesline, but Styles countered with a Pele Kick. Styles set up for Phenomenal Forearm, but Sikoa countered into an attempt Samoan Spike, which failed, too. Styles, in due time, hit the Phenomenal Forearm. Out of nowhere, Roman Reigns ran into the ring and attacked Styles for the DQ. 

Reigns lifted Styles, but Styles got out of it and kicked Reigns. Sikoa reappeared and beat Styles down until Randy Orton’s music hit and Orton ran to the ring. Orton had control until Jimmy Uso ran out and beat down Orton. LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran down to the ring to fight the Bloodline. Orton and Knight cleared the ring of the Bloodline. Styles got up and yelled at Orton and Knight. The three bickered until Styles attacked both Orton and Knight. Knight went back at Styles and Orton tried to break it up and … yeah, the three guys beat each other up as the show went off the air. 

WWE SmackDown Tribute to the Troops live results: CM Punk returns

Posted on by Colin McGuire

For the first time in nearly a decade, CM Punk will appear on SmackDown.

Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series two weeks ago and appeared on the next night’s Raw, but this will mark the first time Punk has been featured on the blue brand since coming back to WWE.

Also set for tonight’s special Tribute to the Troops edition of SmackDown is an appearance by Cody Rhodes. Signed to the Raw brand, Cody last appeared on SmackDown last month when he helped LA Knight fend off The Bloodline. 

Speaking of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso will team up to face Randy Orton & Knight tonight. Orton returned to the ring at Survivor Series after being out for nearly 18 months with an injury. Last week, he officially signed on to be part of SmackDown’s roster.

The United States title number one contender’s tournament kicks off as Bobby Lashley faces Karrion Kross and Santos Escobar steps into the ring against Dragon Lee.

Also, Asuka will go one-on-one agains Charlotte Flair. Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show opened with shots of service members in the crowd chanting “USA!” This was the 21st Tribute To The Troops. The War And Treaty performed “God Bless America.” I interviewed them three days ago. It’s weird how life works. The crowd turned up the “USA!” chants after the performance as pyro shot off behind the duo. Michael Cole welcomed everyone in alongside Kevin Patrick and JBL, who sat in on commentary for the night. Patrick and Cole talked about some of the show’s card. Santos Escobar then made his entrance for the first match. 

Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee to advance in the United States Title Tournament [9:09]

This is a hot crowd and a stacked card, so I expected a little more from this. The finish weirdly came out of nowhere and played to the quietest the crowd had been all night to that point. Lee feels neutered on the main roster. There’s a lot of dropkicks to people in corners and a lot of head-scissor attempts, but little else. We all know he’s got it in him; I just wonder if the decision-makers are toning him down a bit, because there was potential here for both guys to have a very good match. Instead, it never managed to get into the next gear and this was ultimately just kind of there.

Before the match started, Dominik Mysterio’s music hit and Dirty Dom walked to ringside. Escobar ran at Lee to start the match, but Lee moved and clotheslined Escobar over the top rope. Back in the ring, Lee kept control as Escobar found himself on the outside again. From there, Lee landed a splash and threw Escobar back into the ring, where Lee hit a series of kicks for a two-count. Lee climbed the ropes, but Escobar pushed him off to slow things down. Escobar followed that up with a neck-breaker and a two-count. Escobar jawed at Lee and headbutted him. Escobar ran at Lee, but Lee countered and put Escobar on the apron. Lee attempted to follow that up, but Escobar caught Lee and hit a power-bomb as the show went to its first commercial break. 

Back from that break, Lee fired up and landed some punches on Escobar. Lee followed those up with some more strikes and a kick to an upside-down Escobar’s head. Lee hit a running dropkick for a two-count. Escobar eventually got in a hard-hitting super-kick for a nice near-fall. Escobar lifted Lee for his finisher, but it ultimately turned into a sit-out power-bomb for Lee for a good near-fall. Lee landed a running knee that took Escobar to the outside. With Escobar back in the ring, Lee went to the top, but Escobar cut Lee off and hit the Phantom Driver for the win.

After the match, Dominik entered the ring and stood tall over Lee. Dirty Dom left to a bunch of boos. A video recapping Randy Orton signing to SmackDown last week then aired. 

**********

– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Randy Orton walked in. Orton asked Aldis why Aldis booked his tag match for later. Orton said he barely knows who LA Knight is. Aldis said all Orton needed to know was that both Orton and Knight want The Bloodline. Orton was apparently fined in storyline because of last week and Orton paid double the amount because he said he wanted to get the next fine’s payment out of the way now. 

The Cody Rhodes segment

The crowd offered some very loud “Cody!” chants, and Cody looked genuinely moved. Cody did the “What do you wanna talk about?” line and the crowd responded accordingly. Cody noted how it is WWE’s Tribute To The Troops. The crowd went nuts and that’s an understatement. Cody said on behalf of everyone at WWE, he wanted to say thanks to all the service men and women in the arena and watching around the world. Cody threw it to a video package chronicling Tribute To The Troops through the years. It focused on John Cena’s involvement. 

Back in the arena, the crowd erupted into “USA!” chants. Cody thanked everyone for their service again and then welcomed in the U.S. Army’s Drill Team. Brad Nessler was then shown at the commentary table because he’s going to call the Army vs. Navy game Saturday on CBS. Michael Cole asked Nessler if he wanted to stick around and call a match and Nessler agreed. Bobby Lashley then made his entrance.

Bobby Lashley defeated Karrion Kross to advance in the United States Title Tournament [6:47]

This was never in doubt. As if crowds need more reason to loudly cheer for Lashley these days, here was an Army veteran wrestling in front of an arena of service members on a show called Tribute To The Troops. If you thought Lashley might lose this, you probably also still think CM Punk is going to be revealed as the devil in AEW. The match was what it should have been, so it’s hard to complain about it. I continue to wonder about Kross, though. It feels like every four to six weeks, there’s some report somewhere stating that he’s ready for a “big push” or a “strong story,” but nothing ever seems to happen for the guy. He was fine here, as The Guy Designated To Lose To Bobby Lashley – and he was very good at it, to boot – but how much longer until he finds something meaningful?

Lashley cut a picture-in-picture promo during his entrance talking about how he and his father served in the armed services. Lashley ended it by saying “God bless America.” Montez Ford was also part of a video package chronicling his time in the Marine Corps before the match started. Once the match did start, Kross attacked Lashley with a series of kicks and knees. Lashley went for The Hurt Lock early, but Kross fought out of it and went back to some punches and elbows. Kross tried to throw Lashley into ring steps on the outside, but Lashley jumped over them and came right back at Kross. 

After things quickly moved back inside the ring, Lashley landed a German Suplex and then clotheslined Kross over the top to take him back outside of the ring. With Kross on the outside, the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Kross had the upper hand and worked some elbows and a vertical suplex. Nessler noted on commentary how he hadn’t seen Kross since “like August,” so you know that guy’s a fan. Kross went for a punch and eventually hit a kick for a two-count. Kross ran at Lashley, but Lashley caught Kross and planted him. The crowd started a loud “Bobby!” chant. Lashley hit a swinging neck-breaker and followed that up with a vertical suplex. 

Lashley ran at Kross, but Kross got a knee up. Even so, Lashley came right back and slammed Kross before setting things up for a spear, which he hit. That spear was enough to get the 1-2-3. Lashley will face Santos Escobar in the next round of the U.S. title tournament. 

**********

– Damage CTRL was shown backstage and Asuka hesitantly gave Bayley a high-five. Bayley said she’d stay in the back and noted how Charlotte vs. Asuka is a WrestleMania rematch. Dakota Kai stepped in and said they would accompany Asuka to the ring while Bayley stayed back. 

The CM Punk segment

Well. This was better then whatever happened on Raw a couple weeks ago. I’m not so sure the crowd got the punching-people-backstage line – or even the Kevin Owens line for that matter – as much as Punk or others would have liked, but it’ll probably mean more with the online wrestling community, which is fun in its own right. For anyone who thinks CM Punk doesn’t listen to the noise, this promo should be reason enough to know that at this point, he pays attention to everything at all times. He heard the criticisms of his Raw promo. He pulled off the gloves as much as WWE would let him, complete with vague AEW drama reference, and the crowd loved it. He’s very, very good at speaking to all sets of wrestling fans at the same time and that’s one thing I’m not sure he gets enough credit for these days. All told, this was pretty good. And it felt more like CM Punk than anything else that’s happened since he returned to WWE.

Punk looked a bit inspired as he made his way to the ring. Plus, well, he smiled. A lot. “CM Punk!” chants then echoed loud. Punk referenced how his time got cut on Raw a couple weeks ago and naturally, the crowd responded with even louder “CM Punk!” chants. Punk talked about maybe signing to Raw and said the crowd might have been louder on Raw. Punk asked the crowd if they want him to be a Raw superstar or a SmackDown superstar. When the poll got to SmackDown, the crowd cheered. Punk asked the crowd if they want him to rin the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania and boy, those CM Punk chants could be heard in downtown Boston. 

Punk referenced Cody and asked “What do you guys want to talk about?” Punk noted how some people are upset about him being in WWE. Punk actually called himself happy-go-lucky. Punk said he wanted to turn it up to 11 and be “the spicy CM Punk you all know and love.” Punk said he’s putting his feet on the couch and his feet have mud all over them. Punk said it wasn’t “what,” but “who” they want him to talk about. Punk called out Roman Reigns and the crowd went nuts. Punk congratulated Reigns and said, “Don’t forget who the OG Paul Heyman Guy is.” 

Punk said Roman wasn’t there, but his cousins were. Punk shouted out Jey Uso. Punk stumbled on Jimmy Uso’s name. Punk talked about how the Usos have tons of cousins. Punk referenced Randy Orton and wondered if they could get along. Punk said LA Knight would tag with Punk and even did the LA Knight thing, which the crowd ate up. Punk mentioned Kevin Owens. Punk wondered if they could tag together or fight each other. Punk said he and Owens are probably too much alike. Punk referenced “randomly punching people in the face backstage.” Oh boy. 

Punk mentioned JBL at the commentary table. Punk said everyone has welcomed him back except that one guy. Punk said he’s “not even The Man in his own household.” The crowd then sang Seth Rollins’s theme song. Punk encouraged the singing and the crowd obliged. Punk said they will find out where he will sign – on Raw or SmackDown – on Monday night, and he even teased signing with NXT. Punk said he is the monkey wrench in everyone’s plans and goals. Punk said he is back to finish what he started and on Monday, he will put pen to paper. Punk said finishing his story is main-eventing WrestleMania. Punk dropped the microphone and mimicked hitting a baseball out of the park as the crowd chanted his name. 

**********

– Punk was shown walking backstage and came across The Bloodline locker room. Punk then walked away … until Kevin Owens stepped into the frame. The two exchanged a few words and walked their separate ways. 

Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair [6:21]

Friends, I was in New Orleans to watch Asuka wrestle Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania in 2017 and I had the highest of high expectations. This match went six-and-a-half minutes, had a commercial break in the middle of it, featured some type of spot that I must have missed because the commentary team laid heavy into Charlotte perhaps being injured, ended with a distraction finish – and even then felt like it was rushing to get to the end line (and maybe that was case and maybe Charlotte is legitimately injured, and if so, here’s hoping for a speedy recovery). But damn. There’s not much to say because not much happened. And it pains me to say that. 

Before the match started, Zelina Vega and Michin ran out and fought Damage CTRL members to the back. Shotzi and Bianca Belair joined the fun and we were down to a one-on-one match between Charlotte and Asuka. Charlotte had control early and the match spilled outside, where Charlotte landed a bunch of chops, until she missed one and chopped the ring post. Asuka briefly had the upper hand until Charlotte back-dropped Asuka on the guardrail. Charlotte then went for her moonsault off the top to the outside and missed it almost entirely. Still, Charlotte stood tall as the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from break, Asuka had control with a few kicks. Charlotte came back by slamming Asuka’s head into the second rope. Charlotte was limping and went for a figure-eight, but Bayley appeared out of nowhere and pulled Charlotte away from Asuka. Charlotte elbowed Bayley, but as a result, Asuka rolled Charlotte up for the win. 

**********

– Backstage, Nick Aldis handed Punk a contract for SmackDown and Cody stepped into the frame. Cody said it sounds like for Punk to finish his story, he’d have to win the Royal Rumble. Cody said that’s interesting. The two shook hands and Cody walked away. 

– Randy Orton was shown backstage. LA Knight walked into the frame. CM Punk then walked into the frame. Punk wished them good luck. Orton asked Knight if he was ready for tonight. LA Knight, predictably, said, “Yeah.” To the ring, we went, for the main event. 

– Roman Reigns will return to SmackDown next week. Also next week, Grayson Waller will go up against an NXT superstar in the U.S. title tournament. Kevin Owens will wrestle Austin Theory next week, too, as part of the tournament. 

Randy Orton & LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa [12:13]

I like this tiny place LA Knight finds himself in. He’s getting all the rubs from all the stars and in the meantime, it feels like he keeps showing respect to them all, thus making him both a fan favorite and a locker room favorite? Maybe? I don’t know. I’m not there. Either way, he feels like the most famous secondary player in every situation WWE puts him in and it serves him well. As for the match, it was entertaining, if not a little expected. Orton wasn’t going to lose his first match back on SmackDown and it kind of/sort of feels like Sikoa and Jimmy are moving into “They can take loss after loss” territory, which I’m not so sure is a good thing. At the end of the day, they sent the crowd home happy, which is pro wrestling 101, so good on them for it. This was a very good television show from start to finish. The crowd was up, the wrestlers delivered and then, well, CM Punk. 

Orton and Jimmy started the match. Orton worked over Uso with a series of punches. Knight tagged in, though it looked like Orton wasn’t too thrilled with that. Knight hit an elbow, but then Orton blindly tagged himself back in. Orton and Knight had a tiny bit of words and Sikoa tagged in. Orton and Sikoa engaged in a stare down but Jimmy ran in and hit Orton from behind. From there, we went to our final commercial break of the night. 

Back from that break, Jimmy was working a chin-lock on Orton, until Orton hit a back-drop to make things even. Knight received the hot tag and Sikoa tagged in as well. Knight landed a neck-breaker on Sikoa and proceeded to stomp a mud hole in Sikoa. Knight ultimately walked into a belly-to-belly suplex from Sikoa. Jimmy got in a cheap shot on Knight, who was draped over the second rope. Sikoa landed a snap suplex on Knight for a two-count. 

Sikoa hit a hip attack on Knight, who was sitting in a corner of the ring. Jimmy tagged in and mocked Knight. Uso hit a chop and tagged Sikoa back into the match. Uso and Sikoa whipped Knight into a corner and posed a bit. Sikoa went for another hip attack, but Knight moved and landed a bulldog from the second rope. From there, Orton received the hot tag as the crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton cleaned house and hit the snap power-slam on Jimmy. 

On the outside, Orton slammed Jimmy onto the commentary table before rolling him back inside the ring. Orton hit the draping DDT on Jimmy and the Greatest Hits were in full effect. Orton set up for the RKO, but Sikoa ran in and broke that up. Sikoa teased the Samoan Spike, but Knight cut Sikoa off with a DDT. Knight went for the BFT on on Jimmy, but Orton hit the RKO on Jimmy instead for the win. Knight and Orton posed on separate corners to end the show.

WWE SmackDown live results: Randy Orton and Logan Paul appear

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Six days after returning to the ring at Survivor Series, Randy Orton will appear on tonight’s SmackDown from the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Though Orton was sidelined for about 18 months due to a back injury, he returned at Survivor Series as part of a team with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn & Seth Rollins. They defeated The Judgment Day & Drew McIntyre in WarGames.

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis invited Orton to tonight’s show after Orton appeared on Monday’s edition of Raw. Orton stated on Raw that he has unfinished business with The Bloodline.

Also tonight, Logan Paul returns to WWE TV for the first time since defeating Rey Mysterio for the United States title at Crown Jewel. 

Kevin Owens is set to square off against Grayson Waller in one-on-one action. Owens teamed with LA Knight to defeat Waller & Austin Theory on last Friday’s SmackDown. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show and he was on the commentary team with Corey Graves and Michael Cole. Bianca Belair made her entrance and a video package chronicling the women’s War Games match from last Saturday aired. 

The Bianca Belair segment

This was pretty paint-by-numbers – WWE opening a show with a promo, a brawl happening and many entrances commencing. Nothing was particularly interesting and nobody sounded profound. But it did set the table for more between the women who competed in Saturday’s War Games match. Bayley’s absence was the only noteworthy element, but I suspect we’ll hear answers about that as the show continues. 

The crowd chanted “EST” and Belair was happy about that. Belair said she it was great to be in Brooklyn. Belair said she and her team did “exactly what needed to be done” at War Games. Belair shouted out Becky Lynch, Shotzi and Charlotte. Belair said that while the win felt good, her war with Damage CTRL still isn’t over because she wants her title back from IYO SKY. From there, SKY’s music hit and Damage CTRL, sans Bayley, walked out. 

Dakota Kai had a microphone and said it was great how Belair could get everyone to cheer for her. Kai told the crowd to shut up. Kai said SKY said earlier today that Brooklyn smells. Kai followed that up by saying SKY said Belair is already in over her head. Kai said if Belair wants another title shot, she’s going to have to go through all of Damage CTRL. Belair said they could all come and get it and from there, Charlotte’s music hit. Charlotte and Shotzi walked down the entrance way. 

Charlotte said Belair isn’t the only woman coming for Damage CTRL. Shotzi said it seemed to her like there was enough Damage CTRL to go around and all the women brawled in the ring. The babyfaces got the better of the interaction, complete with Belair slamming SKY. Belair’s music hit to end the segment and the heels retreated up the entrance way. 

**********

– Damage CTRL were shown walking backstage and they ran into Bayley. Kairi Sane vs. Bianca Belair was made for later. Bayley wondered why they didn’t tell her they were going to the ring. Kai said not to worry about that because they need Bayley to help Sane prepare for Belair. 

Bobby Lashley defeated Butch [8:06]

Brooklyn sure does love them some Bobby Lashley. You would have thought CM Punk was walking through the curtain with the way they popped for Lashley getting the win. The match itself was fine and they gave Butch a couple nice hope spots, though it was nothing that truly had anyone buying into the idea that he might pull out a win. The Curious Case of Butch/Pete Dunne continues. He was a badass in NXT/NXT UK and you can’t say it’s necessarily a bad thing to bring him into the main roster mix alongside Sheamus and Ridge Holland. But now that Holland and Sheamus aren’t out there with him, he kind of feels like he’s on an island. Anyway, good work from both guys here and if Bobby Lashley wanted to run for mayor of Brooklyn, he’d win in a landslide. 

Before the match started, Lashley took a microphone and was drowned out by “Bobby” chants. Lashley told Butch not to try and make a name for himself through Lashley. Butch slapped the hell out of Lashley and the match began. Butch jumpstarted the match and leapt onto Lashley, but Lashley threw Butch off him. Lashley whipped Butch into a corner. The crowd chanted “Let’s go Bobby!” Butch eventually cut Lashley off and dropkicked Lashley to the outside. While Lashley was outside the ring, Butch landed a moonsault from the second rope to take the show to a commercial break. 

Back from the break, Lashley had control again inside the ring. Lashley held Butch in a vertical suplex, but Butch fought out … until Lashley met Butch with a high slam. Lashley threw Butch to the outside. Lashley rammed Butch into a ring post. Back in the ring, Lashley went for a spear, but Butch moved and Lashley ran into a ring post. Butch fired up and hit a double stomp onto Lashley’s arm. Butch then landed a Blockbuster. Ultimately, Lashley stopped Butch’s momentum and got in a powerslam for a good near-fall. Lashley yelled at Butch to stay down and after Butch slapped Lashley, Lashley eventually hit a wild spear to get the win.

**********

– Nick Aldis was shown in his office. Paul Heyman walked in and asked Aldis if he invited Randy Orton to SmackDown. Aldis said he did because he wants to sign Orton to a SmackDown contract tonight. Heyman asked if Roman Reigns knew about it and Aldis said their interaction currently meant Reigns would know. Aldis then asked Heyman what he’d do about it it if he ends up signing Orton. Heyman said, “Anything it takes.”

– Butch was shown walking backstage and Kayla Braxton showed up to ask Butch while Ridge Holland walked out on him last week. Butch said he didn’t know and he didn’t care because he was there to fight. Pretty Deadly walked into the frame and told Butch to not be sad. They said Butch’s career is a dead end and Butch attacked both guys … until they threw Butch into a road case and Butch was left lying. 

– Santos Escobar was backstage and Cathy Kelley interviewed him. Escobar said he’s only finishing what Rey Mysterio started. Escobar said Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro are still blinded by Mysterio. Escobar said he’s going to put Wilde on the shelf “right now,” so to the ring, Escobar went for a match.

Santos Escobar defeated Joaquin Wilde [4:02]

A longer-than-it-needed-to-be squash for Escobar. I understand giving your friend some time to shine, and we all know Wilde and Escobar have been up and down the WWE roads together for years, but as Escobar continues to gain momentum as a heel, this should have been shorter (when was the last time you saw Wilde wrestle as a singles competitor on WWE TV in a meaningful way? It wasn’t yesterday and it wasn’t the day before that, either). I like keeping Escobar and Dragon Lee together coming out of Survivor Series because I think they could put together a series of very good to great matches, so the post-match stuff was a welcome development. This match, though? It was just kind of there.

Wilde started the match quickly with a dropkick. Wilde followed that up with an elbow and Escobar rolled to the outside, where Wilde landed a springboard splash. Wilde rolled Escobar back into the ring, but Escobar rolled out of it again and from there, Wilde landed another impressive splash. Back in the ring, Escobar cut Wilde off and draped Wilde from the top turnbuckle. Escobar then hit a running dropkick and pounded on Wilde before ripping off Wilde’s LWO shirt. 

Escobar worked Wilde’s arm, but Wilde kneed his way out of it. Wilde got in some punches and then ultimately a dropkick to Escobar’s knee. Wilde followed that with a running knee to Escobar’s head. Wilde then landed a pretty rolling DDT for a two-count. Wilde ran at Escobar, but Escobar countered with a super-kick. Escobar then hit a Phantom Driver for the win. 

After the match, Escobar pounded on Wilde until Dragon Lee’s music hit and Lee ran into the ring to run Escobar off. It looked like Escobar left, but Escobar appeared again and attacked Lee, until Lee fought Escobar off with a series of kicks. Lee hit a running dropkick and Lee’s music hit to end the segment. 

**********

– Nick Aldis was shown backstage and Logan Paul walked over to shake Aldis’s hand. The show went to a commercial break.

– Aldis was shown in his office again and Adam Pearce came into the room. Pearce asked Aldis if he was really going to try and sign Orton. Aldis said he was going to do that. Pearce said he had a contract for Raw, too, and Pearce will try to sign Orton to Raw tonight as well. 

The Logan Paul segment

There are far too many tournaments in professional wrestling these days (we can probably thank AEW for that), but I actually kind of like this idea because it’s not common for WWE and this so clearly plays into at least a couple ongoing storylines on SmackDown. Paul was crazy, entertaining, obnoxious and an anchor – everything he should be in a WWE promo. Combine that with Owens’s always-solid work and this was a lot of fun. Because they leaned so heavily into the idea that Owens will win the tournament and face Paul, I’m inclined to think that’s not where we’re going, but that could be a very entertaining match. We’ll see.

Paul started by saying “To every friend who stabbed him in the back and prayed on his downfall … where are you now?” Paul said the more people hope he fails, the harder he works. Paul said the harder he works, the more he wins. Paul shouted like the Tasmanian Devil and it was kind of funny, which probably wasn’t the desired effect. The crowd booed him. Paul said a champion is only as good as his challengers and he couldn’t give Mysterio a rematch because Mysterio is injured. Paul said he and Aldis created a tournament to name his next challenger. The tournament will feature eight superstars. Among those involved will be Austin Theory, Dragon Lee, Grayson Waller, Kevin Owens, Santos Escobar, Karrion Kross and an NXT superstar. Owens’s music then hit and Owens walked to the ring. 

Owens soaked in some cheers as he stood in the ring. Owens called Paul being there a nightmare. Owens said the first time he saw Paul was 10 years ago on the app Vine and it took him six seconds to know Paul was a jackass. Owens then called Prime a “crap drink.” Owens told Paul that the nightmare is about to end because he’s in the tournament. Paul said he had been in the ring with the greatest boxer in the world and six seconds is more than he needs to KO Kevin Owens. Owens said Paul was clever. Owens said boxing is another world and the WWE ring is Owens’s world. Owens stepped to Paul, but Waller’s music hit and Waller came out with Theory. 

Theory said they were standing in a ring with Paul, who knocks people out. Theory was mouthing off and Owens punched Theory out … again. Owens stepped to Paul and Owens’s music hit as the two stared each other down as the segment ended. 

**********

Kevin Owens defeated Grayson Waller [10:52]

Grayson Waller really should send Kevin Owens a Christmas card because the amount he’s gained during these interactions over the last several weeks has done wonders for his main roster on-screen presence. Yes, he isn’t getting many wins, but he’s having good matches with one of WWE’s best. This was no exception and the story about Owens’s hand/arm was worked very well here – to the point where I wonder if they’ll carry it over to their next interaction (or, at the very least, Owens’s run in the tournament to crown a challenger for Paul). Paul was kind of a hoot on commentary here, too, even if he was subdued. His one-liners were on par with some of the great heel commentators. It might be nice if he had a bit of personality behind them … but, you know. We take what we can get.

Logan Paul sat in on commentary. Owens had control early and the action spilled outside. When they got back into the ring, Waller had the upper hand for a minute or three. Waller laid in some blows and hit an elbow drop from the second rope for a two-count. Waller went for a suplex, but Owens countered into a vertical suplex of his own. Owens went for a cannonball, but he stopped running when Waller rolled to the outside. Waller slammed Owens onto the commentary table, but Owens came back with a clothesline and a frog splash onto Waller from the apron onto the ringside floor. 

Owens fired up the crowd, but Waller ran Owens into the ring post. Theory stomped on Owens’s hand while it was on the ring steps and from there, Waller worked on Owens’s hand. The show then went to commercial break. Back from break, Waller was still working on Owens’s hand and arm. Waller went for his rolling DDT, but Owens countered into a DDT of his own. Owens hit a headbutt and some chops. Owens then landed a cannonball and went to the top to follow up with a Swanton for a nice near-fall. Logan Paul called Owens “Otis on a diet,” which was funny. Paul slowed things down by going back to Owens’s hand/arm. Owens made it to the ropes for a break, but Waller went to kick Owens’s hand. Still, Owens moved and rolled Waller up for the win.

**********

– A video looking at CM Punk’s return aired and Punk will be on next week’s SmackDown. Bianca Belair made her entrance for the next match.Damage CTRL were shown backstage and Bayley was a little removed from the group. IYO SKY told Bayley to stay behind and the faction made their way to the ring. 

Bianca Belair defeated Kairi Sane [10:26]

While you can probably say it’s predictable, I tend to like the story they are telling between Bayley and the rest of Damage CTRL. You can’t say she’s messing things up. Sane’s loss here wasn’t her fault; Bayley did all she could to help, just like she did at War Games, and it just wasn’t enough. The sympathy Bayley will ultimately receive as a result of all this kind of stuff will be worth the wait. As for the match, it was good, but clunky at moments. Both women are very good in-ring workers, but they didn’t click at times here and it showed, sadly. One of those Belair slams towards the end of the thing felt like a good, old-fashioned, “OK, let’s settle down and get the rest of this right” moment. They recovered well enough. One down for Belair. Who’s her next victim on the inevitable way to a SKY rematch?

Sane kicked Belair in the butt early on, but Belair responded with a shoulder-block. Sane went for a head-scissors takedown, but Belair flipped through it. Belair lifted Sane, but Sane punched out of it and engaged in a tug-of-war with Belair’s braid. Belair went to run the ropes, but Asuka tripped Belair and Sane took control. Sane then ran the ropes and Charlotte tripped Sane. The referee saw that, though, and the ref ejected Charlotte and Shotzi from ringside. Asuka tried to get in the ring and the referee saw that, too, so he ejected all of Damage CTRL from ringside, too. The show then went to a commercial break as the match went one-on-one. 

Back from the commercial break, Sane worked a twisted Boston Crab before running Belair into a ring post. Before long, Belair rolled Sane out of a submission attempt. Belair fired up and slammed Sane repeatedly. Belair threw Sane across the ring and did the punches-in-a-corner spot. Belair followed that up with a springboard standing moonsault for a near-fall. Sane ran at Belair, but Belair caught her and dropped her awkwardly for a two-count. 

Sane got up and hit a spinning back fist. Sane went to the top and landed an elbow for a two-count. Sane went for another back fist, but Belair cut her off and went for Jaded, but Sane rolled Belair to the outside. As a result, Belair hit Jaded on Sane, draping Sane over the guardrail on the outside. Belair tried to get back in the ring, but Bayley showed up and cut off Belair. Bayley was pumped and Sane went to the top, but Belair stopped Sane and hit the KOD for the win.

**********

– Next week, Lashley will face Kross and Lee will face Escobar in matches for the U.S. title tournament. Asuka will wrestle Charlotte as well. Plus, as we already mentioned, CM Punk will appear. The show will be the company’s Tribute To The Troops. 

The Randy Orton segment

And the plot thickens. Orton being on SmackDown sets up a ton of stuff and at least keeps the Bloodline in an interesting position moving forward (yes, that entire thing had been in question in recent months as the faction’s story has been both sparse and spinning wheels). Giving Aldis an RKO was a nice touch, and the Brooklyn crowd more than held up its end of the equation not just here, but all night, really. Good stuff. Randy looks great. Roman has a reason to show his face again. And LA Knight is still over. Why complain?

Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce stood in the ring. Aldis announced Orton and Orton made his entrance. The crowd chanted Orton’s name and Orton played into it, hopping onto the second rope to get them fired up more. Orton took off his vest and threw it as they chanted “RKO!” Pearce started to talk and Aldis interrupted him and the two GMs kept interrupting each other. Pearce offered Orton a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Aldis said he could offer Orton “the guys who took you out.” On cue, Paul Heyman said “Ladies and gentlemen,” into a microphone. Heyman walked out with no music and said his name is Paul … yeah, you get it. 

Heyman said, “Look who’s back.” Heyman said Orton came home to look for revenge, but Heyman said there will be no RKOs this evening and there will be no decision made by Orton because the Bloodline is going to make the decision for Orton. Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa, along with Jimmy Uso, made their respective ways to the ring. Uso and Sikoa put the boots to Orton. LA Knight’s music hit and the crowd went nuts. Knight ran into the ring and took down both Bloodline members … until Sikoa pulled Knight outside and those two fought to the back. Inside the ring, Orton threw Jimmy to the apron and hit the draping DDT on him. Orton landed an RKO on Uso and Heyman looked on, angry. 

The crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton asked for both contracts and picked up a microphone. Heyman said, “Go to Raw! You’re safe on Raw!” Orton threw the Raw contract away and signed the SmackDown contract instead. Orton threw the contract down on Uso, who was laid out in the middle of the ring. Orton had a microphone and said, “Hey, Paul. You can call Roman Reigns. And you can tell him, Daddy’s back.” Orton’s music hit and Orton jawed at Heyman. Aldis entered the ring to raise Orton’s hand and Orton RKO’d Aldis in a fun twist. Orton then posed on the second rope to end the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso

Posted on by Colin McGuire

After costing LA Knight a chance to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel, Jimmy Uso goes one-on-one against Knight on tonight’s SmackDown from Evansville, Indiana. 

At the November 4 premium live event in Saudi Arabia, Knight appeared to have a victory against Roman Reigns in his grasp until Uso placed Reigns’ leg on the bottom rope to break up a pin attempt. As a result, Knight called out Uso last week before Knight defeated Grayson Waller. A match between Uso and Knight was made for tonight. 

Also slated for the program, Solo Sikoa makes his return to WWE TV. Sikoa was last seen at Crown Jewel, where he defeated John Cena in convincing fashion. Paul Heyman will be appearing alongside Sikoa tonight.

The build to Survivor Series continues with Damage CTRL appearing. We’ll see if the women’s WarGames match is made official.

Plus, there will be a number one contender’s match with Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits vs. The Brawling Brutes. The winning team will be next in line for a shot at Damian Priest & Finn Balor’s Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.

**********

– A video package recpping last week’s Damage CTRL’s developments aired to begin the show. Kevin Patrick, who was joined by Michael Cole and Road Dogg on commentary, then welcomed everyone in and the group’s music hit. Out walked the five women. 

The Damage CTRL segment

This was a pretty good way to set the table for the “new and improved” version of Damage CTRL. I enjoyed how they played into the notion that Bayley might be the odd woman out, only to turn that around and officially induct Asuka into the group. I can’t be alone in thinking this will lead to Bayley’s ouster … but I also recall being convinced they were going to pull the trigger on an IYO SKY/Bayley separation all the way back at SummerSlam, so what do I know? Very little, is the answer. Anyway, the babyfaces showed good fire again, but they’re going to to continue to be outnumbered until they find their fourth for the proposed War Games match. My money still lands on Jade Cargill, even if that’s based solely on a gut feeling. That said, remember: What do I know?

The group soaked in a bunch of boos to begin things. Bayley said they were just there to have a good time and she welcomed everyone in to SmackDown. Bayley called the crowd dumb-dumbs. Bayley called last week’s developments one of the top five moments in WWE history. Bayley said they are playing chess while the other “idiots” are playing Candy Land. Bayley said nobody was ready for Asuka and laughed. The rest of the group didn’t really laugh.

Asuka then spoke in Japanese to Kairi Sane and IYO SKY and SKY and Sane laughed. Dakota Kai chimed in and said it wasn’t the new and improve Damage CTRL because there was someone in the ring who wasn’t in the new Damage CTRL. The audience reacted accordingly, thinking Kai meant Bayley, but Kai said it was actually Asuka who wasn’t in the group yet. Bayley got on one knee and asked Asuka to be in the group. Bayley presented Asuka with a Damage CTRL shirt and the faction celebrated. Kai mentioned how the women will be in War Games and Shotzi’s music hit. 

Shotzi appeared out of nowhere while her tank rolled out in the entrance way. Before long, Charlotte and Bianca Belair ran to the ring and provided Shotzi with backup. The heels, however, got the best of the babyfaces and threw Charlotte, Shotzi and Belair outside the ring. Damage CTRL stood tall and taunted the babyfaces to end the segment. 

**********

– Charlotte, Belair and Shotzi were shown talking backstage. Shotzi apologized for being compulsive, but said she really wanted to “kick their butts.” Belair turned to Charlotte and said she thinks she knows someone who could help them. Nick Aldis walked into the frame and said he’ll have to know who the fourth woman will be for the War Games match by the end of the night. 

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) & The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) to become No. 1 contenders for the WWE Universal Tag Team Championship [10:58]

The tag team title match will take place on next week’s SmackDown instead of Survivor Series. This was one of the better matches on SmackDown in the last, say, six months or so, and it far exceeded my expectations. They had me on that near-fall that Prince went for after the blind tag near the end. These six guys worked well together and the result was somewhat of a surprise, considering how high WWE seems to be on Pretty Deadly. The after-match stuff is intriguing its own way, but definitely welcome, if nothing else. The Brutes have been spinning their wheels for quite a while now and are almost always inserted into matches to take a loss. Both guys deserve better than that and this could be the first step toward whatever that “better” is. The only question: If they split, what happens when Sheamus returns?

Butch, Dawkins and Prince started the match. Road Dogg mentioned Billy Gunn way more than I thought he would all within the first 20 seconds of the match. Dawkins stomped on Butch and threw Prince into a corner, only to work a series of punches. Ford tagged in and the Profits had control early. Ford hit a strong clothesline to take Butch down. Wilson tagged in the Pretty Deadly hit Butch and Ford at the same time. Butch tagged in Holland and hit a shoulder block on Ford before suplexing Wilson. Holland swung Wilson by his neck before hitting a DDT. 

Holland clotheslined Wilson other the top rope and Holland and Butch set up for 10 Beats, but the Profits broke that up. As a result, Holland and Butch hit 10 Beats on the Profits. Pretty Deadly followed that up by attacked the Brutes, running Holland into the ring steps. Pretty Deadly stood tall as the show went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Holland suplexed Ford and Prince at the same time on each arm. Butch and Dawkins tagged in and Butch cleaned house. Butch hit a moonsault onto Wilson on the outside before landing a Tornado DDT on Prince. 

Back in the ring, Butch stood tall over Dawkins and then hit a moonsault from the second rope onto every opponent on the outside. Back insdie the ring, Butch worked an arm-bar on Dawkins. Dawkins fired up and slammed Butch onto Prince, who only recently returned to the ring. At the nine-minute mark, Holland, Wilson and Ford all tagged in. Wilson had the upper hand and went to the top, but Holland cut him off and ultimately landed a super-plex, even though Prince made a blind tag. Prince tried to pin Holland after Ford hit a splash, but Butch broke it up. 

Bobby Lashley was shown watching the match backstage and B-Fab walked into the frame to talk to Lashley. Butch fired up and went after everybody until he was disposed of to the outside. Holland clotheslined both Profits and both members of Pretty Deadly. Butch went to kick Prince, but Prince moved and Butch kicked Holland. The Profits then hit The Revelation on Holland on got the pin to win the match. Lashley walked out and celebrated with the Profits. After the match, Holland was mad at Butch, pushed Butch away and left the ring alone. Butch looked confused. 

**********

– Bianca Belair was shown talking to Michin backstage before the show went to commercial. 

– Back from that commercial break, Damage CTRL was shown beating the hell out of Michin backstage, so there goes that. From there, Kevin Patrick threw to a video recapping the dysfunction in the LWO. 

– A video featuring Nick Aldis and Dragon Lee aired and Aldis told Lee that Lee would face Axiom from NXT on the show. A video chronicling and introducing Axiom aired after Lee made his entrance.

Dragon Lee defeated Axiom [9:30]

Holy hell. I tuned into SmackDown and a Dynamite broke out. What in the name of Penta El Zero Miedo was that?! More please? Like … please? Here I was talking about how that tag team match exceeded expectations – I didn’t even know this match was happening coming into the night. And, can you believe it: WWE gave them nine-and-a-half minutes to boot! Wow, this was great. Even better than the Lee/Alexander matches we’ve been seeing on SmackDown the last few weeks. Leave Axiom on the main roster. Why not? He’s not doing much in NXT. Let these two run it back again, add a few more wrestlers like this, and let them cook in the way all those cruiserweights made names for themselves in Nitro 25/30 years ago. It’s great when something is fantastic, but it’s even better when it’s unexpected and fantastic. I loved this.

The two shook hands before getting into it. The action was quick to start with a lot of reversals and failed pin attempts. Things settled down when Lee worked a side head-lock. Lee landed a wild dropkick, which took Axiom outside, where Lee followed it up with a splash. Back in the ring, Lee hit a missile dropkick as Axiom was on the mat in a corner. After that, the show went to a commercial break. 

The show returned and Axiom had the upper hand, dropkicking Lee to the outside. Axiom went to the top and hit a high moonsault on Lee before rolling Lee back into the ring. Axiom went to the top rope, but Lee moved and Lee kicked Axiom in the head. Lee went to the top, but Axiom cut him off. The two fought on the top tope. Lee then landed a double stomp onto Axiom, who was draped from the top. Lee chopped Axiom repeatedly. Axiom came back with chops of his own and then landed a fantastic dropkick. Axiom hit a fallaway suplex and a running knee, but Lee came back with a brain-buster. 

Lee tried to fire up the crowd and the crowd kind of responded. Lee lifted Axiom for a power-bomb, but Axiom somehow turned it into a Destroyer for a hell of a near-fall. At the eight-minute mark, Lee kicked Axiom in the head and went to the top, but Axiom cut Lee off with a kick. With the two on the top rope, Axiom landed a Spanish Fly from the top for another hell of a near-fall. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Lee dropped Axiom on his head, but got only a near-fall out of it. Lee responded with a running knee and Operation Dragon for the win.

**********

The Santos Escoar segment

This was very good (and no, I can’t recall a time when I said, “This was very good” this much while reviewing SmackDown). Plus … that’s more like it with Escobar. He’s just a better heel than he is a babyface and he proved it here. Some of those lines were stiff – you really want Rey Mysterio’s leg to be amputated, dude?! – but it worked and the way he showed no remorse for a crying Zelina Vega and his old running mates from NXT was very well done. Plus, you must be doing something right if you’re going out for first time on the main roster as a heel and you can’t get a word in because you’re getting Dominik Mysterio-level boos. The Santos Escobar heel turn is off to a great start.

Escobar was out by himself in a white suit and said he had something to say, but the crowd booed him before chanting “You suck!” It was like Dom Mysterio was out there. Escobar told everyone to never meet their heroes. The crowd then gave Escobar the “What?” treatment. Escobar noted how Rey Mysterio was his hero as the rest of the LWO was watching from backstage. Escobar said Rey made him feel at home, but after last week, Escobar said he realized Dominik was right. Escobar said he deserved to be the United States Champion, but instead Rey did it. Escobar said he wanted to rebuild the LWO, but Rey took it over and brought in Carlito. Escobar then spoke in Spanish to Carlito. 

Escobar said they were supposed to be like family and said Rey sided with an outsider like Carlito instead of Escobar. Escobar said all the pain Rey is suffering is like the suffering Escobar felt when Rey betrayed him. Escobar said everyone thought he’d go out there to apologize, and Escobar said he would apologize – for not doing more damage to Rey. Escobar said he hoped the surgery didn’t go well for Rey and he hopes Rey gets an infection and he hopes they have to amputate Rey’s leg. As Escobar was talking, Zelina Vega walked out to no music and confronted Escobar. Vega slapped the hell out of Escobar and Escobar grinned. 

Vega then walked to the back crying as Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde walked out. Escobar said he made Wilde and Del Toro and the two walked to the ring. Escobar stuck his fist out, but the two yelled at Escobar, who then told Del Toro and Wilde to leave because they are dead weight. Escobar then attacked them from behind as they tried to leave the ring. Escobar said he made them and he can destroy them. As he was setting up a move, Carlito’s music hit and Carlito walked/ran to the ring to clear Escobar from it. Escobar left through the crowd. 

**********

Grayson Waller defeated Cameron Grimes [2:42]

Well, there goes the streak of good TV. But it was fun while it lasted. WWE really seems to know they want Cameron Grimes, but WWE really does not seem to know what they want to do with Cameron Grimes. It’s a shame because he’s talented, but the main roster hasn’t been kind to him. As for Waller and Theory … I’m not ready to fold up shop on them yet, but I’m not not close to doing that. The act can be entertaining, but that doesn’t mean it always is. If anything, I hope this leads to a program between the two with Theory turning babyface. But we’ll see.

Austin Theory sat in on commentary and Grimes had control early. Grimes landed a nice dropkick, but Waller hit a rolling flatliner before hitting a bunch of strikes. Waller worked a chin-lock after hitting some Blackpool Combat Club elbows. Grimes fired up, though, and landed a series of strikes, complete with a low dropkick. Grimes slammed Waller for a two-count. Waller rolled to the outside and Grimes went for a running kick, but Waller grabbed Theory and Theory got in the way of it. Back in the ring, Waller hit his finisher for the win.

**********

– Backstage, Bianca Belair was talking to Zelina Vega right before the show went to commercial break. 

– The show returned from commercial break, but wouldn’t you know it, the first scene was Damage CTRL standing tall over a beaten-up Zelina Vega. 

The Solo Sikoa segment

Man, Heyman laid it on so thick with his John Cena stuff that he actually had me believing Cena might actually show up one more time tonight. Great stuff, there. He’s right when he says Cena’s first match back would have to be against Sikoa … but who knows when and who knows if that will ever happen. In the meantime, using Cena’s credibility to get Sikoa over in a strong way after beating Cena at Crown Jewel is a great piece of business. Cena doesn’t have to be there to make sure that win means something and that’s exactly what Heyman did. Knight’s confrontation was a good rebuttal, and it does make me wonder: Even if Cody does finish the story at WrestleMania, perhaps Knight can be the one who takes down – or at least has a big role in taking down – the Bloodline. 

Paul Heyman was in the ring and said there was going to be an acknowledgment of Sikoa. Jimmy Uso was also in the ring. Heyman fired up and introduced John Cena … but finished it by saying Cena wasn’t there. Heyman said Cena will never appear in a WWE ring ever again and it’s all thanks to Sikoa. Heyman called out a kid in the front row crying – which has been a running thing all night from anyone who’s had a microphone. Heyman said Cena has admiration for all the fans, but he doesn’t have the heart to say goodbye to the WWE Universe. Because of that, Heyman said he gets to say goodbye to Cena. Heyman went on about how on behalf of the Bloodline, “John Cena, goodbye.” 

Heyman teased a cue for Cena to come out, but Cena never came out. Heyman reiterated that the fans will never experience the John Cena thing again because of Solo Sikoa. Heyman said if Cena ever comes back, Sikoa is going to have to be his opponent. Heyman went to Jimmy and said it would have been the greatest promo of Cena’s career, but Cena won’t be able to say goodbye because Sikoa spiked Cena in the throat. Heyman said no one can see Cena because Cena isn’t there, but Heyman was then cut off by LA Knight’s music. 

Knight said that the only reason Roman Reigns is still champion today is “because of the Bloodline, yeah!” Knight said everyone “knows that’s a problem, yeah!” Knight said if there’s a problem, Knight is a problem-solver, “yeah!” Knight said the Bloodline will cease to exist because Knight will make that happen. Knight said everyone will fall until it’s just Knight and Roman. Knight said the first stop on that path is Jimmy Uso. Knight called Heyman “MC Boss Hog,” and it was funny. Knight rapped a little and Jimmy laughed. Knight did his catchphrase and walked into the ring. 

**********

– Kevin Patrick announced that Carlito will face Santos Escobar at Survivor Series next week. 

– Shotzi, Belair and Charlotte were shown backstage talking. Charlotte walked away, saying she was going to make a call. 

LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso [9:20]

LA Knight’s matches are almost as formulaic as Roman Reigns’s matches, but what works is what works. Jimmy seems to be the odd man out in the Bloodline equation, not just in storyline, but also in real life, because that guy never actually wins matches. The Cody appearance actually had me go “Oh,” out loud in a very unexcited, but unexpected way. The brand split is dumb anyway because nobody gives a heck about it, but Cody running out here can only suggest he’s officially on his way to another showdown with Roman Reigns. Time will tell. 

Heyman got a phone call as the match started and Heyman, along with Sikoa, walked away from ringside, leaving Jimmy alone to fight Knight, who took control early into the match. As Knight stomped on Uso, the crowd chanted “Yeah!” Jimmy rolled to the outside, but Knight followed him and rolled Jimmy back into the ring. Knight landed his slingshot shoulder-block in the ring for a two-count. Jimmy came back and hit a Samoan Drop to slow things down. Jimmy chopped Knight, but Knight back-body-dropped Jimmy over the top. Knight landed a sliding kick and hit Jimmy’s head off the announce table a few times. Knight threw Jimmy over the announce table and posed on top of the table to send the show to a commercial break. 

Back from that commercial break, Uso had control, hitting an enziguri for a two-count. Uso took his time and went for a hip attack, but Knight moved and landed a series of strikes to fire up. Knight then hit a DDT to even things out. Knight hit a clothesline before planting Jimmy a couple of times, the latter of which was a bit clunky. Jimmy went to the top, but Knight cut him off and ultimately set up for the running super-plex spot, but Jimmy push him away. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Knight hit the BFT for the win.

After the match, Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa came out. Jimmy hit Knight and Sikoa landed the Samoan Spike on Knight. Sikoa dismantled the commentary table and Jimmy dragged Knight to said table. As they were working over Knight, Cody’s music hit and Cody rushed the ring to beat everyone up. The crowd provided loud “Cody!” chants. Cody and Knight stood tall in the ring to end the segment. 

**********

– Backstage, Belair asked Charlotte what was going on and Charlotte said, “I called her, but I don’t know if she’ll make it on time.” From there, the final commercial break commenced. 

– After the show returned, backstage, Nick Aldis confronted Cody and told him to leave, so Cody did. Next week, the show will be on FS1 and will feature Kevin Owens on The Grayson Waller Effect as well as the aforementioned tag team title match. 

The women’s War Games match segment

Ok, so I tried to manifest Jade, but it just wasn’t happening. The reports all along said Becky was the woman who’d jump in, but … damn, when does Jade show up?! Either way, the crowd very much enjoyed Lynch’s appearance and this sets up WWE’s best established star power for the women’s War Games match. Still … where’s Jade?!

Bianca Belair made her entrance. Shotzi followed suit. Charlotte’s music hit and Charlotte made her entrance, too. Charlotte said they could talk about the damage Damage CTRL has done, but they were running out of time and they officially accepted their War Games challenge. Charlotte said if they’re going into war … well, Charlotte was interrupted by Damage CTRL’s music. Bayley walked out and said the faction took down everyone backstage. Bayley called Charlotte and idiot and a loser. As the teams faced off, Becky Lynch ran through the crowd and became the fourth member of the team. The teams then brawled to get the show off the air.

WWE SmackDown live results: LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller

Posted on by Colin McGuire

SmackDown’s fallout from Crown Jewel takes place tonight from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Amid uncertainty within the faction, Bayley will address the future of Damage CTRL. Kairi Sane made her return to WWE at Saturday’s Crown Jewel event, helping IYO SKY retain the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair. 

Sane last appeared on WWE TV during a July 2020 edition of Raw when she was attacked by Bayley backstage. From there, Sane left the company, only to return last weekend.

Also set for SmackDown is a match between LA Knight and Grayson Waller. Knight is coming off a loss to Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. Waller and Knight traded social media barbs this week, which led to the match being made.

After weeks of their respective factions feuding, Bobby Lashley is set to face off against Carlito. Lashley said on last week’s SmackDown that he was looking to beat the cool out of Carlito, who only recently returned to WWE. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone in to kick off the show. Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens made his entrance, complete with a tie around his neck because he’s on commentary duty tonight (Corey Graves is off because of the recent birth of his child). Rey Mysterio’s music hit and the entire LWO made their way to the ring. 

The LWO segment

I’m all for the Santos Escobar heel turn to finally commence, and this was the next step toward that. For my money, he’s a better heel than a babyface and for everything he’s been through with both Mysterio and the LWO along the way, his turn should pack more of a punch than some of the random turns WWE enjoys doing. 

Mysterio welcomed everyone to Friday Night SmackDown. Mysterio recalled his match against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel. Mysterio said Paul stole his U.S. title. Mysterio said he believes Paul wouldn’t have beat him if it wasn’t for the brass knuckles Paul used to win the match. Mysterio said he will do whatever he can to get a rematch with Paul. Oddly, Carlito’s music hit and Carlito made his way to the ring (I thought he was in the LWO, too?). 

Carlio snatched the microphone out of Mysterio’s hand and asked Rey if they aren’t going to talk about Crown Jewel. Carlito said Mysterio shouldn’t blame Paul and instead, Rey should blame the person who left the brass knuckles on the ring canvas, Santos Escobar. Carlito and Escobar yelled at each other as a result of this. Escobar said he was out of there, threw a fit and left through the crowd. Bobby Lashley’s music then hit and Lashley made his entrance for the first match. 

**********

Bobby Lashley defeated Carlito [9:27]

The match wasn’t much and featured a whole lot of no offense from Carlito. Even the moves he was given … well, they weren’t much. Lashley winning made a little bit of sense, though I do worry that Carlito made his WWE comeback only to occasionally lose upper mid-card guys. Maybe a feel-good return win would have been fun? Anyway, the post-match angle was what this was all about and it was fairly interesting. Escobar didn’t do the menacing, devilish turn; instead, he was pushed first and perhaps he took his rebuttal a bit too far. But even as he left ringside, he wasn’t a glaring, cocky bad guy. He has a point or two. Families fight sometimes and this may have just been a family fight (though if that’s the case … damn, Rey, you need to stop fighting with family on WWE programming, but I digress). I was hoping for more fire from Escobar once this moment happened, but I’m also willing to see where this goes as a whole before casting entire judgment. 

The two locked up to begin things. Carlito dropkicked Lashley, but Lashley came right back with a clothesline. B-Fab was shown watching the match backstage. Lashley landed a series of shoulder-blocks and a neck-breaker. Lashley kept the upper hand with a series of strikes and a boot to Carlito’s neck. Lashley went for the Hurt Lock early, but Carlito blocked it and hit a cross-body. Lashley no-sold some clotheslines and went for a vertical suplex, but Carlito blocked it and landed one of his own. Carlito then clotheslined Lashley over the top rope. Lashley blocked an attempt from Carlito to slam him into the ring steps and Lashley instead rammed Carlito onto them. Lashley then ran Carlito into a ring post and the show went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned from break, Lashley had Carlito perched on the top rope. Carlito fought his way out of it and landed a shoulder-block off the top rope. Ashante Thee Adonis was shown approaching B-Fab backstage and B-Fab and Ashante walked out of the frame to talk. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Lashley and Carlito were on the outside of the ring. Carlito rolled Lashley back into the ring, but Montez Ford grabbed Carlito’s leg. As a result, the Street Profits and Wilde and Toro of the LWO brawled. Escobar reappeared out of nowhere and fought the Profits. Amid the chaos, Lashley speared Carlito for the win.

After the match, the Profits and Lashley beat up Carlito. Escobar hopped onto the apron, but Escobar watched the beatdown instead of helping Carlito. Mysterio’s music hit and Mysterio ran down to the ring with a chair in hand to clear the ring. Mysterio scolded Escobar for not helping on the post-match attack. Mysterio and Escobar jawed at each other and Mysterio pushed Escobar, yelling that the LWO is all family. Escobar looked like he was going to leave the ring, but instead turned around and attacked Mysterio. Escobar rolled Carlito out of the ring and Mysterio slapped Escobar, forcing Escobar to the ground. Mysterio approached Escobar to help him up, but Escobar ran Rey into a ring post. Escobar dropkicked the ring steps because Rey’s leg between the steps and the post. Escobar yelled at Mysterio, saying he loved Rey. Zelina Vega ran down to the ring and pulled Escobar off Mysterio. Escobar walked to the back blaming Rey to end the segment. 

**********

– Escobar was seen leaving the arena and Escobar was stopped by Cathy Kelley, who asked why Escobar did what he did. Escobar said, “Rey had it coming.” The show returned to the commentary table and Owens said even though he’s turned on a bunch of people during his career, he would never turn on Rey Mysterio. From there, we got a video recap of the IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair match from Crown Jewel. 

The Damage CTRL segment

I … I … I don’t know about this one. For Sane to just blindly forgive Bayley for that attack three years ago without much development or thought feels like lazy booking/writing. Maybe this will lead to Bayley being on her own, but for now, it feels unimaginative. Besides: Seeing Sane visually leading SKY and Kai in the entrance way packed more of a punch than the Bayley/SKY/Kai team does these days. I have hopes this will turn around sooner than later, but only time will tell. All four women are super talented. This, though? I don’t know if that’s the right way to go, if only because I can’t fully believe in a lot of it right away because it feels so simple. I hope WWE proves this short-team response from me wrong. 

Bayley referenced the video package and said she has had a plan and vision for SKY and Dakota Kai. Bayley said everything she wanted to come true, came true. That included the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Ms. Money In The Bank, and the WWE Women’s Championship. The crowd gave her the “What?!” treatment and Bayley called the crowd idiots. Bayley tried to play into the “What?!” stuff, but it didn’t quite work and Bayley asked SKY to come to the ring to talk like adults. 

Kai and SKY appeared with Kairi Sane in the middle of them. The three got into the ring and grabbed microphones, with the exception of Sane. Bayley asked what Sane was doing out there. SKY interrupted Bayley and said SKY had a plan, too. SKY thanked Sane for helping her retain the title. Bayley said she wanted the best for SKY and Kai and then Bayley threw to a video of the attack Bayley laid on Sane in 2020, which ostensibly forced Sane out of WWE in storyline. Bayley said she was concerned that Sane was around. Kai interrupted Bayley and said they brought Sane in to make Damage CTRL stronger. Kai said they wanted to take some of the weight off Bayley. 

Kai said Damage CTRL is stronger than ever and it should be a celebration. Sane had a microphone and said she respected Bayley as the leader of Damage CTRL. Sane said she forgave Bayley for the attack three years ago. Sane, SKY and Kai went for a hug and Bayley acted like she wasn’t into it as the four hugged. Bianca Belair’s music hit, then, and Belair spoke to the trio from the entrance way. Belair said she doesn’t forgive Damage CTRL. Belair said tonight, she’s going to “have to whoop all three of y’all.” Charlotte Flair’s music hit and Charlotte walked out to stand with Belair. Belair said someone else was upset that Sane joined damage CTRL. Asuka’s music then hit and out came Asuka, who spoke in Japanese. Asuka then said that nobody is ready for Asuka in English. Turns out, a six-woman tag team match will now happen later in the show. 

**********

– A Dragon Lee vignette aired. 

Dragon Lee defeated Cedric Alexander [5:49 of TV time]

I’m convinced they only ran this back because Alexander is the only person on WWE’s main roster who can take Dragon Lee’s finisher in a natural, pretty way, but that’s enough cynicism from me (for now). For nearly six minutes, this was a lot of fun, and I tend to get a kick out of “This is awesome!” chants for matches like this in WWE anymore because it makes me think … “Hey, they could book more of this type of stuff if they want to,” but they never seem to do that. If Dragon Lee vs. Cedric Alexander becomes the go-to match for both guys on SmackDown every other week for the next six months, I won’t complain. Let’s just see the entire match next time, guys. Please?

The match was joined in progress from commercial and Alexander hit a dropkick before landing a tope suicida on Lee, who was on the outside. Back in the ring, Alexander hit a tornado DDT for a two-count. Alexander chopped Lee. Alexander landed a running elbow and a dropkick to a sitting Lee for a two-count. Lee came back a bit and Alexander was on the outside. Lee landed a dive onto Alexander and rolled Alexander back into the ring, where Lee hit a sit-out power-bomb for a two-count. 

Lee ran and Alexander and Alexander launched Lee halfway across the ring and into the turnbuckles. Alexander followed that up with an elbow and the two traded strikes. Alexander kicked Lee in the head to end that, but Lee came back with a German Suplex and a kick to the head of his own. There was a weird Spanish Fly-type move that Lee took the worse of and Alexander got a nice near-fall out of it. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Lee kicked Alexander in the head again and dropped his knee pad to run at Alexander, but Alexander caught him with a Michinoku Driver. Alexander went for a Lumbar Check, but Lee countered and Kneed Alexander. Lee then hit his finisher for the win. 

**********

– Kevin Patrick said Rey Mysterio is being treated at a “local medical facility,” and from there, a video package chronicling the Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio match from Crown Jewel aired. 

The LA Knight/Grayson Waller segment

Two of WWE’s best talkers doing their best talking. The belief, it seems, was that Knight could lose to Reigns and get his heat right back as long as they gave him a microphone for 10 minutes on the following SmackDown, and that’s exactly what happened. Waller was good foil for him, too, and while the ensuing match might not be a mat-classic, it will at least serve the purpose of keeping Knight in the spotlight. Presumably, at least. Let’s see how it goes. 

LA Knight came to the ring and stood there, soaking in cheers from the crowd. Knight then gave them the “Let me talk to ya” catchphrase. Knight said Crown Jewel didn’t go exactly as he hoped for. Knight said he could say he was sorry for not living up to the expectations. The crowd chanted “That’s OK!” Knight said he did what he said he was going to do – he took Roman Reigns within an inch of his championship and he had Reigns for the 1-2-3, if not for Jimmy Uso. Knight told Reigns to give Jimmy a raise and a promotion because if Jimmy wasn’t there, the world would be looking at a new champion right now. Knight said he wasn’t going to the back of the line because he’s not done with the Bloodline and the Bloodline isn’t done with him. Knight said he will own the WWE championship and he went on a little more until Grayson Waller’s music hit and Waller walked out. 

Waller said Knight was embarrassing himself. Waller said Knight was blaming everyone but himself. Waller said Knight needed honesty. Waller said the truth is that Knight is maybe just not the guy. Waller said he knows someone who is the guy. Knight called Waller “Kangaroo Jackass.” Waller asked Knight if Knight really thought he belonged in the ring with Roman Reigns. Knight responded with a question of his own: Does The Grayson Waller Effect sound like an STD? The crowd yelled “Yeah!” Knight called Waller a creep and said Waller shouldn’t be allowed within 50 yards of a high school. Knight mocked Waller for his social media stuff. Knight told Waller that Waller was dealing with an angry Knight and Knight hit Waller with his microphone. Knight spilled Owens’s water onto Waller near the commentary table and did his catchphrase with the crowd. 

**********

LA Knight defeated Grayson Waller [11:22]

Man, you can tell that the WWE decision-makers really do believe in Grayson Waller. Waller got so much shine here, it was almost refreshing to see (because you knew there was no way Knight was losing this coming off the Crown Jewel defeat). Good on Knight, too, for being so generous. In all, this was a fine-enough television match. Nothing special. Nothing egregious. You forget how green Waller should be at this point in his career because Waller keeps looking like he belongs. Good on him for it. 

Knight had control early and worked Waller’s shoulder. Waller retreated to the outside and Knight went after him. Knight slammed Waller onto the apron and rolled Waller back into the ring. Knight hit his slingshot shoulder-block for a one-count. Knight landed a swinging neck-breaker for another one-count. Waller hit a discus elbow and then took control with a series of strikes. Ultimately, Knight back-body-dropped Waller over the top to the outside. Knight slammed Waller’s head off the commentary table repeatedly. Waller came back by running Knight into the commentary table as well as the ringside steps. Waller then landed a sliding clothesline and the show went to a commercial break.

When the show returned, Waller still had control inside the ring, working a chin-lock. Waller ran Knight into the ring post and worked a single-leg crab over the top turnbuckle. Waller then worked a single-leg crab in the middle of the ring. Waller went to the second rope and hit an elbow for a two-count. Waller went back to the well, but Knight moved and Waller hit the canvas. Waller went for a rolling cutter, but Knight countered into a back suplex. With the two back on their feet, Knight landed a series of punches and, before long, a leaping clothesline, a Russian Leg Sweep and a DDT for a two-count. Waller jumped at Knight, but Knight caught Waller for a bodyslam. Knight then hit his elbow and the BFT for the win.

**********

– After a couple video packages, it was revealed that Solo Sikoa will be back on SmackDown next week. 

– Austin Theory and Grayson Waller walked down to ringside to confront Kevin Owens. Theory pushed Owens. Waller dumped a bottle of water onto Owens. Owens chased Waller and Theory up the entrance way. Owens went for a Stunner on Theory, but instead gave a Stunner to Waller. I suppose this means Owens will now be suspended, via Nick Aldis’s stipulation for Owens working commentary. 

– Jimmy Uso was shown backstage and said if LA Knight wants him next week, he can have him. Jimmy then got on the phone to the Tribal Chief. There wasn’t much that came from it. Either way, next week will feature LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso. Also next week, Solo Sikoa will return. 

**********

Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY & Kairi Sane) wrestled Charlotte, Asuka & Bianca Belair to a no-contest [8:16]

The match was irrelevant, so let’s get into what matters. I don’t know, man. I’m kinda into it. It’s like the NWO before it started to suck. Five of the best women WWE has to offer should run all over everyone else, and I’m here for it (as long as they … well … do it better than latter-day NWO). This was here only to set up Damage CTRL as a Real Deal group and it worked. Conventional wisdom this suggests a women’s War Games match in some way, though I do wonder who the other babyfaces will be (Jade Cargill is one, but who might be the other?). All told, this was very much a worthy main event segment and I’m intrigued to see how things go from here. Good stuff, really. All the way around. Good stuff. 

Belair and Bayley started the match and Belair landed her springboard moonsault early on. Belair hit a splash on Bayley and SKY on the outside. Charlotte then hit a big boot on Sane and Asuka, Charlotte and Belair posed as the show went to its final commercial break of the night. Whent he show returned, Charlotte landed a fallaway slam on SKY, who got up and tagged in Sane. Belair then tagged in and hit a shoulder-block to take Sane down. Belair unloaded on Sane and hit a vertical suplex. Belair tried to Suplex Sane over the top rope, but Sane blocked it and pretty much all of Damage CTRL either distracted the referee or attacked Belair so they could get the upper hand. 

Sane went to the top and hit a flying punch for a two-count on Belair. SKY tagged in and then Bayley tagged in and worked over Belair. Bayley ran at Belair, but Belair disposed of Bayley and went for a hot tag, but Sane pulled Charlotte off the apron. Bayley rushed back into the ring and hammered away at Belair. Belair eventually hit a spine-buster on Bayley to get the hot tag to Asuka, but … wouldn’t you know it, Asuka pulled away and misted Belair. Asuka then kicked Belair in the head and hugged Sane. SKY, Asuka and Sane hugged and Bayley hugged them, too. Charlotte tried to fight back, but the bell rang, signaling a no contest. Shotzi ran down to the ring, but Damage CTRL got the best of her, too. Sane landed the Insane Elbow on Belair and the heels, complete with Asuka as a member of the faction, stood tall to end the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Crown Jewel go-home show

Posted on by Colin McGuire

On the final SmackDown before Crown Jewel, Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul will conduct a weigh-in for Saturday’s United States Championship match.

The title match was made after Paul called Mysterio out after defeating Dillon Danis in a boxing match last month. Paul is looking to win his first championship in WWE.

Tonight’s show was taped in Milwaukee last week. The episode will feature a singles match between Bianca Belair and Bayley. At Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, Belair challenges Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship.

A Donnybrook Rules match is set for SmackDown. It will pit the Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) against Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson). Pretty Deadly defeated the Brutes on the October 13 edition of SmackDown. 

Kevin Owens and Austin Theory will also square off. Owens had a backstage interaction with Theory and Grayson Waller last week, during which Owens knocked them out. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The “Then, Now, Forever, Together” bumper aired, and it still included the Ric Flair “Wooo!” So, there’s that. Afterwards, a video package chronicling all of last week’s Roman Reigns/LA Knight developments aired. Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone in and Knight’s music hit. Knight then walked to the ring. 

The LA Knight segment

God bless that Milwaukee crowd for sticking it out for a segment they saw that was almost identical … what … two hours before this happened live? You can’t avoid having to tape two episodes in one night when “Saudi Arabia” is on the itinerary as the town you’re making tomorrow, but this lacked the type of go-home fire you’d hope for a promo segment selling the next PLE main event. Part of that was the crowd, part of that was the redundancy. But they did what they could and it wasn’t terrible. My only whining moment comes in the form of this: Nobody with two feet and a heartbeat thinks Knight is taking that title off Reigns tomorrow, so WWE really didn’t have a way to somehow heat this thing up in a creative way on the final TV program before the Big Show? All told, it just feels like everyone involved could have done better and the segment only gets a passing grade because of how much raw talent Reigns and Knight have on the mic at this point.

Knight soaked up some crowd love before saying “Let me talk to ya!” Knight started by saying 1,200 days as champion is impressive. Knight talked about how quick it can be that those 1,200 days end. Knight talked about how he dropped Reigns with a BFT last week. Knight said it will be a hostile takeover because Knight is coming to take over everything Reigns stands for. Knight said, “It will be the end of Roman’s reign, yeah!” On cue, Reigns’s music hit and out walked Roman with Paul Heyman. 

The two jawed at each other as they stood in the ring, off-mic, and Reigns’s music was still playing. Reigns started by saying he typically starts by telling the town to acknowledge him, but they already know who he is (or this was the second SmackDown they taped in one night and at least Reigns had the tact to not put them through the whole song and dance again, but I digress). Reigns talked about how surprised he was that Knight stepped up. Reigns said Knight “managed his time wisely,” and now Knight has all the people on his side. Reigns gave Knight credit for that and said it’s not easy to do that in this day and age. Reigns told the crowd to chant Knight’s name, which the crowd did, and Reigns followed that up by saying this is the last time the crowd will do that. 

Reigns talked about how what he does is cinema and he is a mega-star. Reigns said he turned the business into a billion-dollar industry. Reigns called Knight a “cosplay redneck version of my cousin,” and it was a lazy shot, but still kind of funny. Reigns said he’s going to leave Knight in the desert. Knight responded by noting how Reigns must feel invincible. Knight said he isn’t coming at Reigns from the same angle everyone else did. Knight said “he’s not there to finish something, he’s there to start something (yeah!)”. Knight said he will cosplay the guy who is going to kick Reigns’s ass at Crown Jewel. Knight said he’s a megastar. Knight said he doesn’t do warning shots, so if Reigns is going to take his shot, he better make sure Knight is done for good. Knight closed things with his catchphrase and WWE officials came out to separate the two as things got a little feisty to end the segment. 

**********

– Austin Theory was interviewed back stage and said he’s used to taking hits and said he has a confident face and a face that everyone wants to see. Theory Kevin Owens has a face only a mother can love. Theory then made a comment about how Owens has a face where he would have to wear a mask on Halloween, but joke’s on you (bro). Halloween already happened. 

Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory [7:20]

This was surprising in the sense that this was clearly set up to forward a story between Waller and Owens. Theory taking a loss like that doesn’t feel common in WWE these days, and if anything, I would have thought it would have been Waller taking a loss like this first, setting up a match between Owens and Theory. So, that’s refreshing in its own weird way. Anyway, the match was fine. The package suplex Owens hit from the second rope to kickstart the go-home sequence was great and to be honest, Theory looked better here than he has in a bit when it comes to WWE TV in-ring work. A three-minute commercial break in a seven-minute match never allows a viewer to get into a groove with it, but it was what it was.

Grayson Waller sat in on commentary. The two locked up to begin things and Owens tried to attack Theory, but the ref broke it up as Theory went to the ropes. They locked up again and Theory went to the outside. Owens followed and Theory rammed Owens into the ring and the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Theory took control with a series of strikes. Theory went for another punch and Owens caught him, only to punch Theory and clothesline Theory over the top rope to the outside. Owens followed that up with a clothesline, taking Theory to the floor. The show then went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned, Owens slammed Theory into the commentary table and jawed at Waller. Theory took advantage of that and ran Owens into the ring pole. Back in the ring, Theory chop-blocked Owens. Theory lifted Owens, but Owens fought out of it and ultimately tried a Stunner, but Theory pushed Owens away and landed a rolling Blockbuster for a near-fall. Theory stomped on Owens and worked him over with punches. With Owens on the second rope, Owens hit a wild suplex, which was followed up with a pop-up powerbomb. Owens landed a Stunner and stared at Waller as he got the three-count. 

**********

– Cathy Kelley interview Bianca Belair backstage. Belair didn’t get 10 seconds into her promo and Damage CTRL attacked Belair. WWE officials, included Nick Aldis ran onto the set and broke things up. 

– A video recapping the Street Profits/LWO stuff from last week aired. Logan Paul was shown walking backstage and he ran into the Street Profits and Bobby Lashley. Paul walked out of the scene and Lashley was talking up the Profits but B-Fab came into interrupt things and then walked off with Lashley to talk. 

Charlotte Flair & Shotzi defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven [2:58]

This means Charlotte and Shotzi will get a title shot, so cool it on any idea that they are new women’s tag champs. Still, I kind of/sort of like the Shotzi/Charlotte pairing. Even if this is just a vehicle for Charlotte to put “tag team champion” on her resume, Shotzi seems to be into it, which is fun. Not so fun is Chelsea Green and Piper Niven, as champs, taking a loss that felt more like a squash than anything else. I understand that WWE wants to make Green into, essentially, the female version of The Miz, but damn, man. Give her a win every now and then (yes, I know she picked up a win on RAW this week, but that was her first singles win since coming back to WWE, right?). Champions should never look as weak as especially Green does – even if the sole intention is “fun,” whatever that means.  

Look at that. Shotzi was teaming with a mystery opponent, and who could have guessed it’d be Charlotte Flair after what’s happened in recent weeks?! Why not just announce this team ahead time? OK, I’ll shut up. Anyway, the match started with Niven and Shotzi and Niven had her way with Shotzi. Green tagged in after Shotzi was vulnerable and Green worked over Shotzi with some boots. Niven tagged back in, but Shotzi worked her way out and got the hot tag to Charlotte, who hit a cross-body on both Niven and Green. Charlotte hit a series of chops on both Green and Niven. Charlotte landed a suplex on Green and then got her hands on Niven, but Green got a blind tag in … only to run into a big boot from Charlotte, which was enough for Charlotte to get the win for her team. 

**********

The Solo Sikoa/John Cena segment

I don’t know what that 90 second stipulation was that Cena referenced twice – and I also don’t know why Cena all of a sudden didn’t have a voice – but damn, man. On his way out, Cena throws his best out there as he’s ready to head into the (presumed) final match of this latest WWE run. The Taz line was a lot of fun, and makes even a little more sense now that Excalibur actually spoke Cena’s name on Dynamite this past Wednesday. Sikoa has a ways to go on the microphone (still, don’t think he’s not capable; the guy wasn’t bad when he was on his own during his NXT run), but this was some of the best use of Cena the company has put out there since Cena decided to come home for a couple months. Short, sweet, poignant, effective. The raspy voice was a blessing.

Paul Heyman accompanied Sikoa to the ring. Heyman began by saying it’s the end of days for Cena. Heyman said it wasn’t the way he wanted it to be. Heyman said it’s not his fault and nobody should blame Roman Reigns. Heyman said Cena picked a fight with the Bloodline. Heyman said there was no way they would let Cena get away with it. Heyman noted how Reigns turned to the soldier and the assassin, which is Sikoa. Heyman suggested that Sikoa could someday be the Tribal Chief and Cena will be a victim of Sikoa. The crowd booed heavily. Sikoa whispered something to Heyman and took the mic for himself. 

Sikoa asked Heyman why he would waste his breath talking to the crowd. Sikoa said they weren’t there to talk to the crowd; they were there to talk to Cena face-to-face. Cena’s music then hit and Cena made his entrance. Cena entered the ring and Sikoa said he’s mad he has to “wait until tomorrow to fight you.” Sikoa said he got orders from Reigns, and that order was to give Cena a microphone to be able to say goodbye to the fans while he still could. Sikoa said after the Crown Jewel match, Cena won’t be able to talk to the fans. Sikoa then gave Cena the microphone as the crowd chanted “Let’s go Cena!” 

Cena said, “That’s it?” Cena asked Sikoa if he knew who he was in the ring with. Cena said everyone has “been waiting for Sikoa to talk for a year, and that’s all you bring to the table?” Cena’s voice was raspy. Cena said he’s going to say goodbye – but not to them, but for them. Cena said the only reason Sikoa got a job in WWE is because of his cousin. Cena called Sikoa a “bargain basement Taz ripoff.” Cena told Sikoa to tape his thumb extra tight because it’s going up his ass tomorrow. Cena said “that’s my 90 seconds,” threw the microphone down and left to end the segment. 

**********

– Damage CTRL were shown talking backstage. Bayley said Bianca Belair has never learned her lesson. Bayley teasted SKY vs. Bayley at Crown Jewel, but then said it was a joke. Nick Aldis came into the frame and said that Damage CTRL will be barred from ringside for the Bayley vs. Belair match. SKY also reminded Bayley that Bayley couldn’t handle SKY if she wanted to. 

Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) defeated Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland) in a Donnybrook Rules match [12:21]

A good WWE-style brawl with a somewhat surprising outcome. With two wins in this program, I have to think both teams move onto something else, but what will that be, exactly? Pretty Deadly moves up the card (in theory), but the Brutes take yet another loss, which at this point, makes them look like they have even less credibility than they did going into the match – and that’s a shame because the Brutes are supposed to be tough guys, but for one reason or another, they never seem to come up on the winning end. Even so, this was fine. It’s WWE. There will be no blood. The spots will be overtly safe. Nothing wrong with that last part, of course – nobody should ever risk their health for this stuff. But if you watch no-DQ matches elsewhere, you’ll get something different. These four did all they could with what they had. No complaints on the work. 

The Brutes jumpstarted the match by attacking Pretty Deadly in the aisle as the camera did its slow motion thing during Pretty Deadly’s entrance. The action spilled into the ring and Butch and Holland hit stereo 10 Beats on both Pretty Deadly members. Butch obtained a pair of Shillelaghs and the Brutes worked over both Deadly guys with them. With Prince leaning on a bar set up at ringside, Butch went for his finger-breaking spot, but Prince turned that into a suplex. From there, Pretty Deadly took control and posed to the crowd. 

In the ring, Pretty Deadly worked over Holland with kicks and then got a hold of the Shillelaghs. They both went to hit Holland with them, but Holland caught them and threw them both over the top rope. Butch came back into the picture and landed a moonsault from the top rope onto everyone – including Holland – to send the show to a commercial break. Back from that break, Prince hit a Tornado DDT on Butch while Holland slammed Wilson onto a garbage can for a two-count. Holland, weirdly worked a Boston Crab, even though this was essentially a street fight. 

Prince went for the save, but Butch worked an ankle lock on Prince. Prince and Wilson locked hands and fired up. Prince kicked Butch away and hit Holland’s back with a barstool. Pretty Deadly followed that up with a clunky double-team move, but Butch made the save on a pin attempt. Butch then chopped the hell out of Wilson. Prince got back at Butch and an elbow strike. Prince went to the second rope, but Holland cut him off and slammed Prince. Holland lifted Wilson, but Wilson countered into a modified face-buster. Butch fired up, but Wilson stopped his momentum with a clothesline and all four guys were down. 

Wilson went for something, but Butch cut him off and hit his fingers spot. Prince brought a Shillelagh back and hit Butch with it. Prince went to the top, but Holland cut Prince off and powerbombed Prince through a table on the outside. Inside the ring, Butch landed a boot to Wilson’s head for a good near-fall. Holland grabbed a table from under the ring and the Brutes set it up inside the ring. Wilson rolled away from them and went to the outside. Wilson then ran Holland into a keg. Butch and Wilson were on the second rope, but Prince showed up with a glass bottle and slammed it on Butch’s head. Pretty Deadly then hit their finisher on Butch through the table and got the pinfall win.

**********

– Nick Aldis was walking backstage and ran into Paul Heyman. Heyman told Aldis to have a lot of medical personnel on hand at Crown Jewel because this is the most savage version of Roman Reigns that anyone will ever see. 

The Rey Mysterio/Logan Paul Weigh-In

There is nothing intelligent to say about this. There is nothing constructive to say about this. There is silly. There is pro wrestling silly. And then there is what happened here. God bless. 

Nick Aldis introduced both competitors. It looked like they were doing this in a storage shed in the back. Paul weighed in at 213 while there were piped in camera sounds. Mysterio weighed in at 175. Paul and Mysterio jawed at each other like they would at a real weigh-in, but nothing really came of it. Mysterio took a microphone and then slapped Paul. Paul came back and punched Mysterio … who then took the microphone and hit Paul in the way Paul was hit at the weigh-in for the Dillion Danis fight recently. That ended the segment.

**********

– Next week, Carlito will face Bobby Lashley. And that’s about all they had to say about next week’s SmackDown episode. 

Bianca Belair defeated Bayley [13:18]

These two worked well together. It’s not that often we see Bayley work singles matches anymore – and it’s even more rare that we see her work meaningful singles matches – but she showed here that she can still very much hang. That super-plex spot was a little scary, but in all, this was a good and worthy main event. I kind of like that Bayley has become a sort of gatekeeper for babyfaces in WWE and in that sense, has taken a half-backseat role in Damage CTRL. If nothing else, it works to help put the babyfaces over with a sense of credibility. Good work from both women. 

Bayley threw a shirt at Belair and attacked Belair to start the match. Belair rebounded with a series of shoulder-blocks on Bayley. Belair landed a pair of vertical suplexes on Bayley before hitting a Will Ospreay-esque standing moonsault for a two-count. Bayley rolled to the outside, where Belair chased her. Back in the ring, Belair hit a trio of bodyslams. With Bayley on the apron, Bayley kicked Belair, which took Belair to the outside, which then took the show to its final commercial break. 

Back from break, Bayley still had the upper hand and hit an elbow from the apron onto Belair on the outside. Back inside the ring, Bayley went for a cover, but Belair immediately kicked out. Bayley worked a chin-lock. Belair fought out and hit a back-breaker to even things out. Belair fired up and hit Bayley with a series of punches. Belair planted Bayley for a two-count. With Bayley on the top rope, Belair hit a rough-looking super-plex that Bayley only barely got over for. All of that resulted in a two-count. 

Belair went for another moonsault, but Bayley moved and dragged Belair outside by her ponytail. Bayley rammed Belair into the ring post. Bayley hit an elbow from the top rope and got a near-fall out of it. Bayley went to the outside and cleared off the commentary table. Bayley lifted Belair for a powerbomb, but Belair fought out of it and Bayley ran herself into the ring post. Belair followed that up with a dive onto the outside and then rolled Bayley back into the ring. Belair went for the KOD, but Bayley rolled out and into a pinfall attempt. Belair kicked out and whipped Bayley witih the ponytail. Belair hit the KOD for the win. 

After the match, Belair KOD’d Bayley through the commentary table and that ended the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns-LA Knight contract signing

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Due to the World Series, tonight’s SmackDown from Milwaukee airs live on FS1 instead of Fox.

The show is taking place with Crown Jewel just eight days away. Roman Reigns and LA Knight will both be on hand to sign the contract for their Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at Crown Jewel.

This will be the first time Reigns and Knight have shared the ring since Reigns laid out Knight with a spear on SmackDown two weeks ago.

Also slated for tonight is a tag team match pitting Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar against The Street Profits. Mysterio is gearing up for a United States title defense against Logan Paul at Crown Jewel.

John Cena will address his upcoming match against Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel. Plus, Bianca Belair is scheduled to appear. Belair returned from a hiatus last week and saved Charlotte Flair from a beatdown by Damage CTRL. IYO SKY retained her WWE Women’s Championship against Charlotte in the main event of the episode after Damage CTRL interference.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone in. Corey Graves recapped how People Magazine broke the news that John Cena will face Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel. Roman Reigns’s music hit and Regisn began his 1,295-minute entrance – but wait. As Reigns was posing in the aisle, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight strutted past Reigns to the ring. 

The Roman Reigns/LA Knight contract signing

This was one of the better talkie opening segments in recent WWE TV memory. I ate up the lack of respect Knight had for Reigns and all his pomp and circumstance. It was a welcome change of pace for the Roman Reigns presentation and Reigns did a great job selling how much that annoyed him. None of us think Knight is taking that belt off Reigns, but damn if they aren’t doing all they can to convince us Knight has a chance. Of all the good Knight promo segments that have occurred in the last year or so, this ranked up there with the best of them. He felt confident and never out of place in a major position like that – and that’s not easy to do. 

The crowd chanted “LA Knight!” as Knight sat at the proverbial head of the literal table, which made Paul Heyman angry. Knight said it was time to sign the deal for the match (yeah!). SmackDown GM Nick Aldis weighed in and welcomed everyone. Knight interrupted Aldis and said, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said the contract said Roman Reigns will hand over the championship to LA Knight (yeah!). Reigns sat down and said, “Hello, big boy.” 

When the crowd calmed down, Reigns said, “Hey, idiot,” to Knight. Reigns called Knight stupid for just “signing away.” Reigns asked Knight if Knight had ever actually had a contract signing as well as a championship match before. Reigns said Knight had no clue what he was doing. Reigns said he would go easy on Knight. Reigns said he’d be gentle with Knight and called Knight “sweetheart.” The pen didn’t work, so Heyman threw it. Reigns got a pen that worked and signed the contract as the crowd chanted “Roman’s scared!” Aldis took the contract and wished both guys the best of luck. 

Reigns got up to leave, but Knight stopped him and told Reigns to acknowledge him. Knight said it was sweet of Roman to say he’d be gentle with him. Knight said Reigns is already beat. Knight said it might be his first time in this position, but it happened “after only a single year.” Knight said he climbed to fast, Reigns hasn’t known what’s hit him. Knight said he only needs one time to get Reigns’s title and mocked Reigns for his infamous “sufferin succotash” promo. Knight said there was nothing Roman could do to stop him and that wasn’t an insult, it was “a fact of life.”

Knight said he can’t stop being the man they call the megastar and Knight led the crowd in his chants, but Reigns cut Knight off by flipping the table onto Knight. Reigns threw Knight into the ring post and got another table from under the ring. Reigns set up the table inside the ring and tried to punch Knight, but Knight fought back and stomped a mud hole in Reigns. Jimmy Uso appeared out of nowhere and stomped a mud hole in Knight. Heyman told Jimmy to “get him” when it came to Knight, but Knight caught Jimmy and suplexed Jimmy through the table. Knight’s music hit to end the segment. 

**********

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defeated LWO (Carlito & Santos Escobar) [11:52]

From the tenth of a second it was randomly announced that Mysterio wasn’t actually going to participate in this match – even though he was initially announced to wrestle in this match – it was clear who the winners were going to be. I might be in the minority, but I kind of like the Profits working a heel style in the ring. There’s a noticeable difference and if the hope for them and Bobby Lashley ever fails, you can’t say it’s because nobody tried their hardest. That in mind, I’m still concerned about where they go from this program with the LWO. WWE doesn’t get as much flak for investing as much in 50/50 booking as it once did, but you can’t tell me either the Profits or the LWO look great as a result of this story. Either way, the match was fine for what it was, even if the crowd felt indifferent toward Carlito, which in its own right, was a shame. 

Dawkins and Escobar started the match out with Dawkins taking control early. After trading a handful of flips and athletic moves, Escobar got the upper hand with a dropkick. Carlito tagged in and muscled Dawkins to the mat. Carlito jawed at Lashley and Dawkins capitalized on it with a series of strikes. Carlito came back with a standing dropkick and with Ford and Dawkins on the outside, Carlito took off his shirt and landed a flip onto the heels before the show cut to a commercial break. 

Back from break, Ford was working over Escobar inside the ring. When Escobar tried to fight back, Ford kicked Escobar and landed a splash for a two-count. Ford worked a chin-lock to slow things down. Ford hit an enziguri and stepped on Escobar’s throat. Ford went back to the rear chin-lock. Escobar punched and elbowed his way out, but Ford cut Escobar off with a clothesline. Dawkins tagged in and the Profits dropped Escobar face-first. Dawkins ran at Escobar, but Escobar countered with a knee strike to even things out. Carlito then received the hot tag as Ford tagged in. 

Carlito took both Profits out, complete with a spinebuster on Ford for a two-count. Carlito set up a backstabber, but Ford countered into a rollup and a two-count. Carlito came back with a neck-breaker, but Dawkins broke up a pin attempt. Escobar tagged in and Rey Mysterio was shown watching the match backstage … until Logan Paul attacked Mysterio. Carlito ran to the back to help Rey and as a result, despite a valiant effort, the Profits hit The Revelation for the win. 

**********

– Roman Reigns was shown backstage and Paul Heyman showed Reigns a WWE title “made exclusively for the Green Bay Packers.” Heyman said he was going to give the title to LA Knight because it will be the closest Knight or the Green Bay Packers will ever come to becoming champions, which was kind of funny. Jimmy Uso showed up and laid on the couch. Jimmy said he ran the play – but it was “an audible, a hot route.” Reigns said they have to handle Knight tonight, but Jimmy said he was on the IR … until Jimmy said he was off it after a weird look from Roman. Heyman said he was going to talk to Nick Aldis to make the match between Jimmy and Knight for later. 

– Logan Paul was shown walking backstage and Cathy Kelley caught up with him. Paul quickly rambled for a second and walked away. Shown standing alongside a wall was Kevin Owens, who Paul dismissed. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller came into the frame and confronted Owens. WWE officials separated Owens and the heels. With Owens seemingly gone, Owens came out of nowhere and put both Waller and Theory down with one punch. 

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Dragon Lee. Lee said he was happy to be on SmackDown, but was then interrupted by Cedric Alexander. Alexander said Lee reminded him of himself. Cedric recalled how the crowd once chanted “Please sign Cedric!” Alexander challenged Lee to a match tonight and Lee accepted. 

**********

Shotzi defeated Chelsea Green [3:18]

I maintain that Chelsea Green takes too many losses. She could be a lot of fun as a pest heel who always pulls out wins, but instead, it’s so much harder to take her seriously as someone who holds a belt, but never seems to win. She’s not not entertaining – and on top of that, I’m all for Shotzi getting some wins under her belt – but there has to be a more meaningful way to use both women. 

Green attacked Shotzi early. Shotzi fought back and choked Green with her legs. Green rolled to the outside, where Shotzi hit a splash onto Green. Back in the ring, Green landed a sort of Russian Leg Sweep from the middle rope. Green got a two-count out of it. Green landed a missile dropkick for another two-count. Green hit a short-arm clothesline and stepped on Shotzi. Green ran at Shotzi, but Shotzi pulled down the ropes and Green went to the apron. From there, the two went to a corner and the middle rope. It resulted in Green throwing Shotzi down, face-first, onto the canvas. Green posed a little too much and Shotzi rolled Green up for the win.

**********

The John Cena segment

Yeah, you can’t tell me Cena is working a second beyond Crown Jewel after that. Heyman gave him a great sendoff and there was a lot of hidden respect built into that promo that you have to think Crown Jewel will be the last we see of Cena for a while (if not forever? OK, probably not forever, but you never know). Cena has been fantastic in this latest run and he’s been everything anyone could ask him to be and more. The only question remains: Does he go out on his back and give Sikoa a super-rub, or does Cena get a victory to feel good about before he goes back to Hollywood Land? It might be the most up-for-grabs result on Crown Jewel as we sit right now, eight days removed. 

Cena fired up the crowd by saying “This is what SmackDown sounds like from a sold-out Milwaukee, Wisconsin!” Cena said there was a special energy in the building. Cena said the energy for him was a little different because the energy was serious. Cena said he’s had a lot of serious moments in his career, but it hasn’t been this serious in a wild. Cena said for more than 20 years, he and the fans have shared “this” (whatever “this” is, which is apparently impossible to define). Cena talked about how the fans have given him their respect. Cena said he felt he was in jeopardy of losing the fans’ support and respect. Cena himself couldn’t help but laugh at that notion because my God, let’s not pretend like those fans have always been on his side and if there was ever a time they’ve been on his side in recent years, it’s now, but I digress. 

Anyway, the crowd chanted “You still got it!” Cena responded with “But what if I don’t?” Cena said if he doesn’t deliver soon, he’ll lose “this” (and again, can we please define with “this” is?). Cena said he wanted to keep the ride going and as a result, there was only one thing left to do at Crown Jewel and that was to win. Cena said Crown Jewel will be both must-see and a must-win. Cena said he knows it takes guts to promise a victory, but Cena said the time is now to deliver. On cue, Paul Heyman’s voice cut through and Heyman walked to the ring. 

Heyman said he’s loyal to the truth and he assured Cena he was out there with respect. The crowd chanted “You suck!” at Heyman. Heyman entered the ring after asking Cena if he was allowed to do so. Heyman extended his hand for a handshake. Cena shook Heyman’s hand. Heyman noted how it was a sold out crowd and Heyman actually said, “Thank you for the house,” which got a pop out of me. Heyman said it started when Vince McMahon turned to Heyman 21 years ago and Heyman said Cena was Heyman’s first pick. Heyman said he raised his kids to be more like Cena than Heyman. Heyman told Cena Roman Reigns proved Cena isn’t the greatest of all time in the ring anymore. Heyman followed that up by saying Cena is the greatest at communication in the history of WWE. 

Heyman said Cena has a bond with the fans that Heyman could never have because Cena can talk in a way nobody else in the world can talk. Heyman said Cena could have been Heyman – until he “pissed off the Bloodline.” Because of that, the order has come from the top to take Cena out. Heyman said when Sikoa hits Cena with a spike, Cena won’t be able to talk anymore. Heyman said the Bloodline will take Cena away from his WWE Universe. Heyman mocked Cena for saying he has to win at Crown Jewel. Heyman said the one match left that Cena must win, he can’t win. Heyman said that wasn’t a prediction … and Solo Sikoa attacked Cena from behind. Sikoa planted Cena and set up for the spike, which Solo hit. The segment ended with Sikoa and Heyman standing tall and walking to the back. 

**********

– LA Knight was shown backstage and Knight ostensibly accepted the challenge from Jimmy Uso. 

Dragon Lee defeated Cedric Alexander [8:10]

So, you do the workers match and you allow Cedric, who has been criminally underused in WWE Land, to go out there and show what he can do … and you lose three minutes of it to a commercial break. Such is the WWE conundrum. Sure, you give fans of this type of wrestling a carrot, but it’s not even enough to make you say what they got was enough. Yes, I’d love to see five more minutes and yes, I’d love to see that without the inconvenience of a commercial break. I also know I can’t be in the minority. Either way, I thought Alexander did everything he could with the time and position he was given and Dragon Lee is clearly getting the proverbial push as the new guy who can both work and fly. This was very good for what it was; I just wanted more. 

Both guys countered each other’s best attempts to take control and it resulted in a face-off about 40 seconds into the match. Alexander worked Lee’s arm until the two got back to their feet and Lee worked Alexander’s knee. That was short-lived because Alexander came right back with an arm-drag. Alexander landed a chop and Lee returned the favor. The two then went back and forth with some chops. With the two on the apron, Lee hit a running knee, but Alexander responded by slamming Lee onto the apron as the show went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned, Alexander hit a wild Michinoku Driver for a two-count. Lee was on the apron and the two battled on a top turnbuckle. The end result was a high  double-stomp from Lee onto Alexander. Lee landed a hell of a sit-out power-bomb for a good near-fall. Alexander tried to slam Lee, but all that meant was both guys went for pin attempts and neither got one that worked. Lee hit what I think is supposed to be his finisher, which was a kind of inverted DDT, for the win. After the match, the two shook hands and Alexander raised Lee’s hand. 

**********

The Bianca Belair segment

This was fairly basic for what it was, but it does set up what should be a nice rematch between Belair and SKY. My guess is next week’s match between Belair and Bayley will be more of an angle than a match, but it’s good to see Belair back nonetheless. I enjoy Belair’s fire when she wants to show it and one has to think if she ends up losing at Crown Jewel, we’ll only see more of it. 

Belair said she was so excited to be back on SmackDown. Belair said she was just getting started because while she was away, she only had one thing on her mind. From there, she threw to a video package of her being attacked by Damage CTRL backstage two months ago. Belair said it hurt to watch that. Belair said for the first time, she was out and she sat at home with nothing but her thoughts. Belair said she thought about how she can make Damage CTRL pay. Belair said she couldn’t let it go. Belair said for the first time in her life, she was consumed with vengeance. Belair said she had a plan that she took to Nick Aldis earlier. 

As a result, it was official: Belair is going to get her rematch against IYO SKY at Crown Jewel for the WWE Women’s Championship. Belair also said she will face Bayley next week on SmackDown. Belair said she will take out Damage CTRL one by one before she reclaims her title and she slammed down the microphone to end the segment. 

**********

– Next week, Bianca Belair will face Bayley. A weigh-in between Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul will also take place. It sounded like Kevin Patrick had one more match to announce, but he pulled back and to the main event, we went. 

LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso [13:31]

This was one of the better Knight matches in recent WWE television memory. I got a little curious as the show crept up on the last few minutes and a finish didn’t seem to see in sight, but all told, they protected Jimmy for him being on the IR for about 15 seconds earlier in the show. so nobody really loses, but at the same time, this certainly helped Knight become a true contender for Reigns next week. Like I said earlier, they’re trying, and you can’t ask for more than that. to whatever degree that works, we’ll see. They still have a week and a day. 

The two jawed at each other to start the match. They then locked up. Jimmy knocked Knight down and posed a bit. Jimmy went for a cheap shot, but Knight countered with a running elbow and a suplex for a two-count. Knight worked Jimmy’s arm and jawed at him while doing so. Knight hit the ropes and kicked Jimmy before landing a serioes of dropkicks to Uso’s head. With Knight on the apron, Jimmy took back control with a snap-suplex. From there, the show went to its final commercial break. 

Back from break, Jimmy landed an uppercut that slowed things down. Jimmy hit a hip attack on Knight, who was perched in a corner (though to be fair, Jimmy barely hit Knight when they showed it on replay). Jimmy went for another one, but Knight countered with a clothesline. After fighting back and forth, Jimmy ran Knight into a ring post. Jimmy landed a chop on Knight, but Knight came back with chops of his own. Knight then hit a reverse DDT to try and gain the advantage. Knight landed a combination of moves, which included a Russian Leg Sweep and a DDT for a near-fall. 

Knight stomped on Jimmy and ran at Jimmy, but Jimmy rolled to the outside. On the outside, Knight slammed Jimmy’s head into the commentary table repeatedly, which I guess wasn’t a DQ(?). Back in the ring, Knight came off the top, but missed and Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop for a two-count. The crowd launched into a “This is awesome!” chant. Jimmy went to the top, but Knight cut him off. Jimmy fought him off and hit an Uso Splash for a good near-fall. Jimmy went back to the top, but Knight cut him off and landed a super-plex, which turned into the BFT for the win. After the match, Roman Reigns tried to attack Knight, but Knight sidestepped him and hit the BFT on Reigns. Reigns sold the hell out of it and Knight yelled at Reigns to close the show. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Rey Mysterio & Logan Paul confrontation

Posted on by Colin McGuire

After failing to win the WWE Women’s Championship in a triple threat at Fastlane, Charlotte Flair will battle IYO SKY for the title on tonight’s SmackDown from San Antonio, Texas.

Charlotte has yet to face SKY in a one-on-one match for the title on WWE television. The last time these two were in a ring together on TV, Charlotte teamed with Asuka to defeat SKY & Bayley on the October 6 edition of SmackDown. 

Also set to appear on tonight’s show is Logan Paul. After Paul defeated Dillon Danis in a boxing match last weekend, Paul called out United States Champion Rey Mysterio. As a result, Paul said he plans to confront Mysterio tonight. We’ll see if Mysterio vs. Paul becomes official for Crown Jewel.

Mysterio’s stablemate Santos Escobar will also be in action as he takes on Montez Ford. The match was made after Ford, along with Angelo Dawkins, attacked Carlito on last week’s SmackDown. 

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– A video recapping what happened with John Cena, LA Knight and the Bloodline last week aired to open the show. 

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show, per usual. He, along with Corey Graves, ran down what was announced for the card. Paul Heyman was standing in the ring alone and Heyman did his introductory schtick. 

The Paul Heyman segment

This was one of Knight’s better promo outings in recent memory on WWE TV – and that is said while knowing entirely that the catalyst behind Knight’s quick rise in WWE has been his promo ability. He showed a bit more of an edge here, which was both welcome and mildly surprising. Heyman, as usual, was great, being the cocky heel before Knight showed up, because from there, Heyman immediately turned into the cowardly pest that he’s so good at being. I could do without another eye-rolling contract signing next week, but it ain’t like we’re running back Reigns vs. Zayn as a tune-up for Crown Jewel. So it goes. 

Heyman recalled what Jimmy Uso did on Monday Night Raw. Heyman said Jimmy single-handedly cost Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Heyman then noted how the Los Angeles Times broke the story earlier in the day that Roman Reigns will face LA Knight at Crown Jewel for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. 

Heyman said he’s just like everyone there – outside of the fact that he dresses better and makes more money than everyone else there. Heyman said what they have in common is that they are all fans of Knight. The crowd did the “Yeah!” thing after Heyman said “LA Knight,” and Heyman threw a fit, telling the crowd not to do that when he talks. Heyman said Crown Jewel will be the last time everyone will see Knight inside a ring. Heyman said Knight will get smashed at Crown Jewel by Reigns. On cue, Knight’s musit hit and the crowd went wild. 

Knight said all Heyman has been doing is making “a whole lot of damn noise.” Knight said Heyman can take a walk because he needed Reigns’s ass out there. Heyman tried to leave the ring, but Knight stopped him. Knight called Heyman out for his threats. Knight asked Heyman what Reigns was going to do to him, but when Heyman tried to talk, Knight told Heymann to shut up. Heyman tried to leave the ring again. Knight stopped him and said if Heyman tried to leave, Knight would hit him so hard, his hair would turn back to gray, which was funny. 

Knight asked Heyman if Heyman said the spear last week was a warning shot. Knight asked Heyman if he thought that was the right move. Knight said he doesn’t do warning shots. Knight said if anyone takes a shot at Knight, they better put Knight down for good. Knight said he can’t stop, won’t stop and he will not stop until he puts Reigns down in the ring and owns the Undisputed Universal Championship. Knight said Reigns should be scared. Knight said for as fast as he’s risen in WWE, it’ll be just as fast that he takes the title off Reigns. 

Knight said next week, a contract signing will take place between Reigns and Knight. Knight told Heyman that he better make sure when he talks to Reigns, he better tell Reigns whose game it is (LA Knight’s, of course). Knight slammed the microphone into Heyman’s chest and walked out of the ring to end the segment. 

**********

The Street Profits were shown backstage talking to Bobby Lashley. Santos Escobar then made his entrance for the next match. 

Montez Ford defeated Santos Escobar [9:01]

A fine-enough match with a dumb finish. I can’t be the only one who feels like this iteration of the LWO has run its course and the Street Profits as heels simply isn’t the best use of the Profits … right? Ford did his best to work a heel style – and he was even given the bulk of the offense here – but both acts seem lukewarm at best. It feels like everyone involved on both sides needs a reboot. It’d be easy to think that comes for Escobar when he inevitably turns on Mysterio, but they just kicked off this Street Profits/Bobby Lashley thing, so the end could very much not be near. Blah. 

The two locked up to begin the match. Ford had control early behind some kicks and aggressive elbows. Ford landed a nice-looking dropkick and taunted the crowd. Ford hit a high standing frog splash for a two-count. Escobar got back to his feet and worked his way back, but Ford kicked Escobar in the head as Escobar was perched on the top rope. That sent Escobar to the outside and it sent the broadcast to a commercial break. 

Back from that commercial break, Ford had control. Lashley was shown watching the match backstage. Ford went for some type of springboard move from the second rope turnbuckle and it kind of/sort of looked like a modified bulldog. Either way, it kept Ford on the offensive. Escobar ultimately fired up and a super-kick forced Ford to the outside. Escobar landed a dive and rolled Ford back into the ring. Escobar went to the top and hit a cross-body for a two-count. 

Escobar hit a double-knees and set up a Phantom Driver, but Ford got out of it and went to the top himself, but Escobar cut him off and landed a top-rope Frankensteiner. Dawkins pulled Ford to the outside and Escobar went for a splash and kind of half hit it? Either way, with the ref’s back turned, Dawkins ran Escobar into a ring post. The factions fought outside, complete with Escobar getting his revenge on Dawkins. As a result, Escobar rolled back into the ring and Ford rolled Escobar up for the win. A brawl broke out after the match, but Carlito ran to the ring with a chair to break things up. 

**********

– Damage CTRL were shown backstage hyping up IYO SKY. 

– The LWO were shown talking backstage and they were interrupted by Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega. Mysterio said he was going to go take care of business. Vega asked Rey if he wanted the rest of them to have his back, but Mysterio said “thanks, but no thanks,” and he’d rather go it alone on this night. 

– Highlights of last week’s Pretty Deadly’s match aired. A vignette was shown and it featured Pretty Deadly getting the spa treatment. Wouldn’t you know it – the Brawling Brutes showed up and attacked Pretty Deadly during their spa. Ridge Holland finished it by telling Butch that they should go grab a pint. 

– Backstage, Jimmy Uso, Heyman and Solo Sikoa were sitting together backstage. Jimmy said he was the starting quarterback at Raw, even though Reigns called the play. Uso celebrated and the camera cut to John Cena showing up and walking backstage. 

The John Cena segment

And here, I thought we were going to get an actual John Cena match. Oh, well. Maybe that was for the best. I suppose this sets up Cena going away again, him introducing the “retirement” word into the discourse. All of that makes sense, of course, and when you look at this in a vacuum, I’m not sure you could have made better use out of Cena at this point. He has the social currency to lift people up (Knight, etc.), and it’s not like any of us should expect him to put on a six-star, 45-minute classic (to be fair, here, now, and probably ever). Here’s hoping he gets one more win. The 2,002 days stat was a wow-moment for me. You can’t say the guy isn’t selfless. 

Cena said that San Antonio was sold out and it was fired up, so at least he can read a room. Cena said followed that by saying he was fired up. “Thank you, Cena!” chants broke out. Cena thanked the crowd. Cena said it was a rough day because he got hit with some harsh truths. Cena said he felt he should be honest with everyone. Cena brought up Roman Reigns’s streak as champion. Cena said today, he found out he has a streak of his own: 2,002 days since he last won a televised singles match. Cena said his last win was in 2018. Wow, I add parenthetically without typing parenthesis. 

Cena said he’s been talking about retirement. Cena said it was time to face facts. Cena reiterated that it’s been a long time since he’s had a win. The crowd chanted “You still got it!” Cena said “Damn it, I believe in me, I believe in you and I believe in us!” Cena said he believes “in the beauty that is all this madness.” Cena said he could still go and the time is now to turn the match around. Cena said it’s going to be a bad night for “the next idiot to walk through that curtain.” Cena said whoever it is, they will get smoked. Naturally, Solo Sikoa’s music hit. 

Sikoa got on the apron and fought Cena. Jimmy Uso ran down and attacked Cena, but Jey Uso showed up and took out Jimmy. Security got in the way and broke the brothers up. Back in the ring, Sikoa went for the Samoan Spike, but Cena countered with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena posed to end the segment. 

**********

– An Alba Fyre/Isla Dawn video aired, so it’s nice to know SmackDown isn’t completely done with them, despite their absence. 

– Kevin Patrick threw it to a video package of the tag team title match on Raw. 

– Backstage, Nick Aldis gave Jey Uso a $10,000 fine and told security to escort Jey from the building. Adam Pearce was with them and Aldis had Pearce escorted from the building, too. Pearce was like, “Really!?” Aldis said yes and Pearce said, “Let the games begin.” To Survivor Series, we apparently go. Logan Paul then made his entrance. 

The Logan Paul/Rey Mysterio segment

A few things to take away from all of this: One, why is Logan Paul so obsessed with the United States Championship, seemingly out of nowhere? Two, is Paul supposed to the heel? Probably, right? If so, why didn’t he attack Rey? Three, I understand why you’d put Logan Paul at the top of the hour because of his social media clout, but if you’re going to do that, wouldn’t you want more pomp and circumstance? So much of this felt ordinary, and I wasn’t expecting that. The match was all but already made, so it’s not like that announcement was shocking. Do I think they’ll have a good match? Sure. Did that help this segment? No.

Paul said that six days ago, he was in England, “beating the living daylights out of a scumbag.” Paul said he won his fight. Paul said it was a pathetic excuse for a fight. Paul said he should have known if he wanted real competition, he could have just had another WWE match. Paul then brought up people who “hide behind masks.” Paul said he already beat Rey Mysterio in his first-ever WWE wrestling match. Paul said the last time he wrestled Mysterio, LA Knight didn’t have a job, Roman Reigns still wrestled and Dominik was still Rey’s son. Paul said he knows who he is, and he’s a “WWE superstar, baby.” 

Paul said Mysterio has something Paul needs. Paul said he needs the United States Championship. Paul said even though he beat up a deadbeat dad last weekend, at Crown Jewel, “he’s going to have to beat up another.” Mysterio’s music then hit. As Mysterio made his way to the ring, Michael Cole on commentary noted that Paul actually beat Mysterio in a tag match and not one-on-one. Mysterio said Paul reminds him of his son Dominick: A lot of natural ability, dripping with passion, incredible career ahead of him … and a big mouth. 

Mytsterio said he thinks Paul needs humbling. Mysterio said he was reluctant with Dominik, but with Paul, he’s not going to hesitate to “whoop his ass.” Mysterio asked Paul if he wants the U.S. title. Paul said, “Si.” Mysterio said he would give Paul the opportunity at Crown Jewel. Paul extended his hand for a handshake and it looked like Rey would comply. Despite conventional wisdom, the two simply shook hands and Paul left the ring. 

**********

Grayson Waller & Austin Theory defeated Dragon Lee & Cameron Grimes [6:03]

A six-minute match with two of those minutes coming during a commercial break. Maybe it’s easy to get bored with WWE programming, but I actually kind of like the Grimes/Lee duo, if only because it’s fresh. That said, this felt like a glorified squash for the Theory/Waller team, which was disappointing in its own right. Until Grimes got involved last week, I forgot he was still with the company. And I’d love it if that was an exaggeration, but it’s not. My fear now is that Lee got the call-up just to job out to any and everybody, but time will tell. For now, this wasn’t a move in a good direction. By the way, at the end of this match, it was about 9:30 EST, which meant that in the first hour-and-a-half of the show, we got about 15 minutes of wrestling. Do with that what you will. 

Theory and Lee started the match, but Waller tagged in quickly. Waller was subject to a series of double-team moves from Grimes and Lee after Grimes tagged in. That included a wild Russian Leg Sweep combo that looked like it hurt. The action spilled outside and Grimes with Lee took control. The babyfaces returned to the ring and the show went to a commercial break. When the show returned, Waller was working over Lee inside the ring. Theory tagged in, but Lee landed a DDT on the heels and got the hot tag to Grimes. 

Grimes hit a cross-body on Waller and fought off both Theory and Waller. Grimes got in a German Suplex on Theory for a two-count. Waller went to the outside and Lee hit a splash. Inside the ring, Grimes covered Theory for a two-count. Grimes lifted Theory, but Theory raked the eyes to break it up. Waller ran into the ring as Grimes rolled up Theory and Waller hit his finisher on Grimes. Theory then pinned Grimes for the win. 

**********

The Kevin Owens interview

Cathy Kelley sat down with Owens and Kelley asked Owens what it felt like to be separated from Sami Zayn. Owens said it doesn’t feel great. Owens noted how they did a lot together and to be separated in the way they were separated, it hurt. Owens said he’s happy to be on SmackDown because it’s a clean slate and Owens said it’s bittersweet. Owens mentioned he has a lot of history with the Bloodline. Owens said he expects to cross paths with the Bloodline. Owens said he wants to have a singles match with Rey Mysterio and Sheamus. Owens said there are a lot of new faces to punch. 

Owens asked Kelley if there was anybody she wanted him to punch. Kelley said she couldn’t answer that. Owens said that all he wants people to know is that this is the Kevin Owens Show. That’s how everything ended. 

**********

IYO SKY defeated Charlotte Flair [16:04]

And the expected return of Bianca Belair happens. That said, I was at least a tiny bit surprised that IYO got the pinfall, no matter how she got it. This was a good match and very much main-event worthy, especially on a show like this, which didn’t feature much wrestling. These women wrestled – and wrestled well, to boot. I’ll tell you, when Charlotte wants to work, man, she can work. Call me a simpleton, but give these two 10 more minutes and no nonsense and let’s watch them work. Because under the right circumstances, that could be special. I digress. This was good, but we all knew it was little more than a conduit for bringing Belair back, which is fine, too. As for what’s next, only time will tell. 

Charlotte took SKY down to start the match and SKY rolled to the outside. From there, the show instantly went to commercial. When the show returned, Charlotte was working the hell out of SKY. Charlotte’s momentum stopped when Bayley grabbed her leg. As a result, SKY landed a dive between the ropes onto Charlotte, who was on the outside, SKY then hit a missile dropkick for a one-count. SKY then worked a chin-lock. 

Charlotte fought back and hit SKY with a kick to the head. Charlotte leapt at SKY and SKY moved. Ultimately, SKY flipped Charlottewith her legs over the top to the outside. SKY jumped at Charlotte, but Charlotte caught SKY and slammed SKY into the apron. From there, we got our (most likely) final commercial break of the night. Back from that break, the two were fighting on the top rope and it resulted in a tough sit-out powerbomb from SKY, who got a two-count out of it. 

SKY landed a double-knees and then worked a cross-face, but Charlotte got up immediately and landed a lose German Suplex to slow things down. After the two got back on their feet, Charlotte hit a bunch of chops, the final of which took SKY down. Charlotte then landed a fallaway slam. Charlotte put SKY on her back and went to the second rope. From there, Charlotte hit another fallaway slam for a good near-fall. SKY was on the apron and went for a springboard dropkick, but Charlotte caught her and worked a Boston Crab. SKY rolled through for a two-count. 

With the two of them on their feet, Charlotte went for a knee, but SKY moved and dropkicked Charlotte into the second turnbuckle. SKY went to the top and tried a moonsault, but Charlotte got her knees up for a nasty spot. Charlotte then landed a spear, but Bayley put SKY’s foot on the rope to ensure Charlotte wouldn’t get the pin. Charlotte attacked Bayley and threw Bayley over the announce table. Back in the ring, Charlotte went for another spear, but SKY had the title in her hand and Charlotte ran into that. As a result, SKY pinned Charlotte for the win. 

After the match, Damage CTRL attacked Charlotte, but Bianca Belair made her return to get rid of Damage CTRL. The show ended with Charlotte and Belair standing tall. 

WWE SmackDown season premiere live results: Roman Reigns returns

Posted on by Colin McGuire

After two months away from WWE television, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns returns on SmackDown’s season premiere from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The last time Reigns wrestled was at SummerSlam, when he defeated Jey Uso under Tribal Combat rules. Since then, his Bloodline stablemates have found themselves in feuds with LA Knight, AJ Styles, and John Cena.

Speaking of Cena, he is scheduled to appear on SmackDown tonight as well. Cena teamed up with Knight at Fastlane to get a victory over The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa.

Another appearance set for the show will come from Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

Pretty Deadly will return to in-ring action against The Brawling Brutes (Butch & Ridge Holland). It’s the first time Pretty Deadly have competed since Elton Prince suffered an injury in July.

Plus, Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles against Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. Theory & Waller accepted an open challenge that Rhodes & Jey issued.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. John Cena’s music hit and out he came to kick things off. 

The John Cena/Roman Reigns segment

A star-studded opening segment that reintroduced Reigns effectively. Is it me or does something seem off in the Cena/Knight alignment? It feels like Cena is trying his hardest to give Knight all he can, but there’s a tiny disconnect there. I just can’t put my finger on it. Anyway, I wonder if this means we’ll get Knight vs. Reigns at Crownd Jewel. I actually wouldn’t be opposed to seeing Cena get one more title shot, but, hey, he’s right: In storyline, at least, what has Cena done to deserve it? 

Cena reminded everyone that tonight is a big night and welcomed everyone to “the season premiere of SmackDown.” On cue, Roman Reigns’s music hit and his 58-minute entrance began. Reigns was flanked by Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman, the latter of whom’s hair was no longer entirely gray. Reigns stood in the ring for a while before he said, “John boy, Hollywood, if you’re going to open my show, you better do it the right way.” From there, Reigns told Tulsa to acknolwedge him. 

Reigns said Cena was a coward and Cena showed up only because Reigns took his leave. Reigns said Cena isn’t the GOAT, and, in fact, the GOAT is Roman Reigns. Reigns told Cena to leave and if he doesn’t, Reigns will make Cena leave. Cena chimed in by saying there was a bunch of energy in the building. Cena said he was going to throw Reigns a curveball. Cena said he wasn’t there to challenge Reigns and instead, he was there to acknowledge Reigns. Cena cited the 1,000-plus days Reigns has held his title and said it was the greatest accomplishment ever. Cena said he wasn’t going to challenge Reigns because Cena hasn’t earned it. Meanwhile, Cena said that he knows someone who has earned a title shot. Cue LA Knight’s music. 

Knight played to the crowd once in the ring. Cena said it’s LA Knight’s time and handed Knight the microphone while the crowd chanted Knight’s name. Knight did the “Let me talk to ya!” line. Knight asked Reigns if he was pissing his pants yet. Knight said Reigns is nothing more than a man standing in Knight’s way. Knight introduced himself to Reigns via the crowd, who chanted “L-A-Knight-Yeah!” The crowd kept up the “LA Knight” chants. Reigns mocked Knight for the crowd knowing Knight’s name now. Reigns asked Knight “who the hell do you think you are standing in my ring right now?”

Knight took off his sunglasses. Knight said talking like that is a good way to get himself referred to in the past tense. As Knight ranted, Jimmy Uso attacked Knight from behind. Reigns looked a little perplexed. Knight quickly rebounded and dispatched of Jimmy. Knight and Reigns engaged in a stare down until Reigns rolled out of the ring. Reigns told Sikoa to handle Knight. Sikoa hopped onto the apron and said it’s going to be Knight vs. Sikoa tonight. Knight accepted the challenge. 

**********

A disembodied voice explained that Elton Prince has been injured and Prince was shown in a wheelchair in the entryway to the ring. Prince miraculously stood out of the wheelchair to mark his comeback. Pretty Deadly made their way to the ring. 

Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) defeated the Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland & Butch) [9:04]

Oh. So, Pretty Deadly are going to do this injury thing for a while now, aren’t they? This first time out was dragged on a bit too long for my taste, but that’s a team that can make something like that fun, moving forward. They can also run it into the ground pretty hard, pretty quickly, so only time will tell how that plays out. The match itself was fine for what it was, but I’ve got to say: At what point do the Brawling Brutes start to get some booking love? They lose far too much to be taken seriously. At this point, they garner more sympathy than fear.

Prince and Butch began the match. Butch worked on Prince’s arm and tagged in Holland. Wilson tagged in as well and worked over Wilson until Butch tagged in. Butch landed a German Suplex and a kick to Wilson’s head. Wilson rolled to the outside and Butch hit a splash and Butch and Holland landed 10 Beats on both Wilson and Prince before the show went to commercial break. When the show returned, Wilson was beating down Butch. Prince tagged in and kept the beatdown going. Prince set up for 10 Beats on Butch, but Butch cut him off and did the finger spot on Prince. 

Wilson tagged in and Pretty Deadly got back control. Ultimately, Butch fought his way out and got the hot tag to Holland, who cleaned house. Prince went to the second rope, but Holland cut him off and slammed Prince for a two-count. Things broke down with Butch hitting a Shining Wizard and Wilson. Butch and Wilson fought on the outside as Holland slammed Prince, who then sold a knee injury. There was a lot of nothing happening as Prince insisted he was hurt and in the meantime Wilson kicked Holland in the head. Prince then rolled up Holland for the win. 

**********

– Kayla Braxton interviewed Carlito backstage. Carlito said that him being back in WWE is “cool.” Bobby Lashley stepped into the frame and told Carlito that his comeback was amazing and masterful. Lashley stuck out his hand and said he wanted to welcome Carlito back. Carlito didn’t shake it and said he wants his first match back on SmackDown to be against Lashley. From there, the Street Profits attacked Carlito from behind with a chair. Lashley raised the chair, but things were broken up by Adam Pearce and other WWE officials. The LWO was shown tending to Carlito, but Bayley interrupted things. Zelina Vega stepped to Bayley They bickered until Pearce ordered a match between the two right away. 

– Roman Reigns and the Bloodline were shown backstage. Jimmy Uso told Reigns about how he can call an audible when needed. Reigns asked Jimmy if Jimmy was the quarterback, what would Jimmy do. Jimmy said he’d get Jey and Reigns noted how much it bothers him that Jey has the tag titles with Cody Rhodes. Reigns asked Jimmy if Jimmy will handle that and Jimmy siad “Yeet.” Reigns said he doesn’t like “Yeet.” They fist-bumped. 

Bayley defeated Zelina Vega [2:39]

When I saw this match started at 8:50 p.m. EST, I thought, “Well, this can go two ways. One, they put a lot of thought into this and these women are going to be given the opportunity to put on a hell of a match. Or two, they’re out in under three minutes because they have something planned for top of the hour.” Sadly, the latter prediction turned out to be the correct one, but these two worked well together, especially considering the constraints. Vega was given a lot of offense, which was a welcome surprise, and Damage CTRL reiterated how they are a faction that oftentimes feels impossible to beat. It could be worse. 

Bayley mocked how short Vega is to start the match. Vega ran Bayley into a corner and hit an arm-drag. Vega went for a head-scissors, but Bayley cut her off with a clothesline. Bayley went for a Bayley-To-Belly, but Vega countered and eventually set up a 619. Vega hit the first part, but was then distracted by Dakota Kai. Vega followed that up with a Meteora for a two-count. IYO SKY distracted the ref and Vega tended to that. As a result, Bayley took advantage, hit the Rose Plant and got the win. After the match, SKY and Bayley attacked Vega until Charlotte ran to the ring to clear the ring of Damage CTRL. 

**********

The Triple H segment

I’m torn on the deluge of wrestling news in the Wrestling News Era. The word that Nick Aldis was going to be the new SmackDown GM leaked earlier today and I just think it would have packed a bigger punch if that wasn’t out in the public beforehand. Either way, I feel bad for him not getting much of a response when Hunter actually got around to introducing him. The Dirty Dom involvement made things fun, but Aldis could have used more a spotlight (as an aside: dude looked like a block in that weird clue checked suit. Felt very unnatural, very uncomfortable. But I digress). I’m interested to see how well Aldis does in this role. Pearce kind of backed into his role as Designated WWE Official over time, but Aldis got the announcement treatment, so some fans may be expecting more from him. Owens to SmackDown, meanwhile, was a convenient way to get him split from Sami Zayn without having to pull another turn, so I can’t complain about that. Owens has to be one of the next in line for Reigns, right?

Adam Pearce stood in the ring as Triple H made his entrance. The crowd was excited. Hunter said it was electric in there. Hunter said WWE is on their way to Crown Jewel and just around the corner will be Survivor Series. Hunter said it all starts tonight at the season premiere of SmackDown (somebody trademark that). Hunter called Pearce one of the unsung heroes of WWE. Hunter said over the last three years, Pearce has done an incredible job as a WWE official. Hunter said Pearce has overseen both Raw and SmackDown and he has done an incredible job. Hunter thanked Pearce. Hunter said it’s a job no one person should do alone. 

Hunter said Pearce is getting a promotion – the new GM of Monday Night Raw. Hunter asked who the general manager of SmackDown will be. Dominik Mysterio’s music played and Dirty Dom walked to the ring with a microphone. Dom got booed out of the building. Dom talked about how the Judgment Day got screwed out of their tag team titles. Hunter said he couldn’t hear Dom talk because of the boos. This, of course, only inspired the crowd to boo more. Dominik asked how they could do a tag team title match tonight when Judgment Day is supposed to have one on Monday. 

Hunter made a joke about how loud the boos were and he always thought “they just pumped them in,” which was kind of funny. Hunter said he was bringing the new GM of SmackDown out to talk to Dominik, and that new GM was going to be Nick Aldis. The crowd seemed … confused? Aldis got some respectable applause after he introduced himself. Aldis shook Dom’s hand and said he was a big fan … of Dom’s dad, which woke the crowd up. Aldis said his first official act as GM was completing the trade Cody made some weeks ago. Aldis tried to introduce the new SmackDown roster member, but Dom cut him off. The crowd went nuts booing Dirty Dom. Kevin Owens’s music hit, and, well, look who’s back on SmackDown. 

Owens walked through the entrance way. Owens entered the ring and gave Dominik a Stunner. Aldos and Owens shook hands and Aldis raised Owens’s arm. The show cut backstage, where roman Reigns was shaking his head at the addition of Owens to the SmackDown roster. Reigns said Jey, Cody and Kevin are running around on his show. Reigns asked “What are we doing?!” Reigns was mad at Jimmy Uso for drinking water on Reigns’s couch. Jimmy asked Reigns if he was serious. Roman said he wasn’t … “but imagine if he was.” Jimmy left and took Sikoa with him. 

**********

– A Dragon Lee vignette aired. Good for him on that. And actually, good on WWE for doing it, too. 

– Aldis was backstage talking to Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Green pitched new women’s tag belts featuring Italian leather. Charlotte walked into the frame and Aldis turned his attention to Charlotte. Aldis referenced what happened at Fastlane and said next week, Charlotte will face IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s Championship. Charlotte turned around and Jade Cargill was standing right there. Hunter was standing with Cargill. Cargill and Charlotte exchanged a few words and we went back to the ring, where Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes were making their entrances. 

Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso defeated Grayson Waller & Austin Theory [9:21]

Man, it looks like Cody and Jey are having a blast out there together. I don’t really get it, and that Fastlane press conference was wild, but I dig it. Their enthusiasm is infectious. Anyway, Waller and Theory make a good team, but I started to wonder during this match: Are they teaming as a means to turn Theory babyface soon? That’s not too silly of an idea, is it? The match hit all the right notes and it was everything you’d expect from a Cody/Jey title defense. They’re a nice, feel-good team, but this can’t be long-term … right? I put the over/under on their tag title reign at three months, by the way. And yes. I’m taking the under. 

Cody and Waller started the match. Cody had the upper hand early until Waller kicked Cody and tagged in Theory. Cody took Theory down and Theory tagged Waller back into the match. Cody tagged in Uso, who kicked Waller. Theory landed a blind tag to get himself in the match and eventually ran into a series of punches from Uso. With Uso on the apron, Theory ran Uso into a ring post and the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from the commercial break, Theory was worked a chin-lock on Uso inside the ring. Theory stomped on Uso repeatedly. Waller tagged in as Uso fired up. Theory cut him off, however, and Waller came off the second rope with an elbow for a two-count. Uso hit an enziguri to slow things down and Uso got the hot tag to Cody, who ran in and pummeled Theory. Cody landed a powerslam and a Disaster Kick. Waller entered the ring and Cody hit another Disaster Kick. Theory hit a suplex, but Uso broke up a pin attempt. Uso hit some super-kicks on everyone and the Co-D 1D. Cody landed the CrossRhodes on Theory and got the pin. 

After the match, Jey and Cody were walking to the back and Jimmy and Sikoa walked through the (not) curtain. Roman Reigns followed them and Reigns engaged in a stare down with Cody. Aldis walked out and told Cody and Roman “not tonight.” The show went to a commercial break. 

**********

– The commentary team ran down the fact that next week, we get IYO SKY vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Championship. Also on tap will be Santos Escobar vs. Montez Ford. 

LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa [12:34]

There’s something about LA Knight matches that I just don’t like. That’s not even coming from the place that says, “Give me Will Ospreay matches into my veins all day, every day.” Because I can enjoy the WWE style and I certainly appreciate what that company continues to accomplish. But something about Knight’s matches feel lesser than, and much like something else I pointed out earlier, I can’t put my finger on it. That said, this was one of the better LA Knight matches in some time on WWE TV. He’s clearly got the best cards in the deck and the crowds love him. For that, my hat is tipped. But it’s rare we see an LA Knight match and think … “That was pretty good.” But this? Well this was … pretty good. The show-closing angle puts the heat on an inevitable Knight vs. Reigns match. It’s a matter of when, not if. And that match, above all else, will be one of the most fascinating to watch in the year of our lord 2023. in the meantime, Sikoa did a very good job here while Knight more than held up his end. You knew Reigns would play into the final seconds of the show. He did. And now off, we go. 

The two locked up to start things out. Sikoa had control early with a back elbow. Sikoa lifted Knight for a suplex, but Knight landed on his feet and hit a neck-breaker for a one-count. Sikoa took Knight down in what appeared to be a tiny bit of miscommunication. Knight tried to lift Sikoa, but Sikoa was too heavy and from there, Sikoa hit a chop. Knight came right back and took Sikoa’s legs out. Knight then clotheslined Sikoa over the top and the action spilled outside. With Knight on the apron, Knight went for a suplex, but Sikoa cut him off and ran Knight into a ring post. The show then went to its final commercial break. 

When the show returned, Sikoa worked Knight’s neck. Knight again went for a body-slam, but Sikoa just fell on Knight for a two-count. Sikoa landed a belly-to-belly for a two-count. Sikoa then hit what is known as a hip attack in other situations. Sikoa went back to his vice grip on Knight’s neck. Knight tried to fire up, but Sikoa threw Knight into a corner. Knight countered with a bulldog from the second rope for a two count. Knight ran at Sikoa, but Sikoa hit a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Sikoa went to sit on Knight, but Knight moved to even things out. Sikoa ran at Knight, but Knight moved and Sikoa hit a turnbuckle. It happened twice. 

The two traded punches until Knight got the best of the exchange. Knight landed a clothesline and a DDT. Knight stomped a mud hole in Sikoa. Knight then hit a running knee. Sikoa lifted Knight, but Knight got out of it and finally, at last, landed a body-slam on Sikoa. Knight hit his famous elbow. The two ran the ropes and took each other out with a double clothesline. Wouldn’t you know it, Jimmy Uso appeared and got into the ring, but John Cena ran out and cut Jimmy off. In light of the chaos, Knight hit the BFT for the win.

After the match, Knight was celebrating, but out of nowhere Roman Reigns ran in and speared Knight. Reigns smiled at the crowd. Reigns stood tall as the show went off the air. 

WWE SmackDown live results: Fastlane go-home show

Posted on by Colin McGuire

On the eve of Fastlane, SmackDown takes place tonight from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Judgment Day are set to make an appearance on the episode. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso, who are challenging Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Finn Balor & Damian Priest at Fastlane, have also announced that they’ll be appearing tonight.

Also on tap is a tag team match with Asuka & Charlotte Flair joining forces against Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY & Bayley. SKY is defending her title against Asuka and Charlotte in a triple threat match on Saturday. The match was made after Bayley accepted a challenge on Sky’s behalf.

United States Champion Rey Mysterio is set to take on Bobby Lashley in non-title action. The Street Profits attacked the LWO last week in an attempt to get back on Lashley’s good side. At Fastlane, it will be the LWO vs. Lashley & The Street Profits in a six-man tag match.

Plus, after a confrontation last week, Austin Theory will battle Dragon Lee. Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

The show kicked off with a video package chronicling all of the John Cena/LA Knight/Bloodline stuff from last week. The opening video then aired before fireworks shot off in the arena and Kevin Patrick welcomed everyone into the show. Knight’s music hit and the crowd went wild. 

The LA Knight segment

Pretty standard “This is how WWE television shows open these days” stuff – but it was entertaining, nonetheless. That’s what happens when you have the company’s best talker and its most organically popular star in the segment. Heyman was a little more fun than usual here, showing his ornery side in a subtle-yet-effective way. Jimmy vs. Knight should be fun, especially considering how Heyman seemed annoyed that Jimmy accepted the challenge for a singles match with Knight almost instantly. Heyman calling Knight the next big megastar is notable, if only because I continue to wonder how things will pan out for Knight once he cools down a bit. 

Knight started with his “Let me talk to ya” catchphrase but was instantly cut off by Paul Heyman, who walked out with Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Heyman said he has a reputation for spotting the next big thing in the pro wrestling industry. Heyman said the next big megastar in this business will be LA Knight. The crowd responded with “Yeah!” and Heyman said he hates when the crowd does that, which was funny. “LA Knight!” chants broke out. 

Heyman said the chants really piss him off. Heyman said he was offering Knight his condolences because now the Bloodline is going to have to do something about the attention Knight has garnered. Knight asked Heyman if he was done running his mouth. Knight said it was a wise move to put respect on his name. Knight pulled out a “reciept” and said he didn’t buy any of Heyman’s B.S. As Knight went on, Jimmy Uso chimed in and said Knight won’t make it to Fastlane. Sikoa and Jimmy got on the apron and wouldn’t you know it – John Cena’s music hit.

Cena ran to the ring. Heyman talked Uso and Sikoa out of stepping in the ring and the Bloodline trio started toward the back. Knight grabbed a microphone and said while everyone is thinking about tomorrow night, he’s thinking about tonight. Knight said what he was thinking for tonight is that Knight and Jimmy can face off tonight. Knight had the crowd do the “LA Knight, Yeah!” bit to close the segment as Jimmy accepted the challenge while walking up the entrance area. 

**********

– The Judgment Day was shown walking backstage and they even had JD McDonagh with them. Charlotte Flair & Asuka then made their entrance. 

Charlotte Flair & Asuka defeated Damage CTRL (Bayley & IYO SKY) [13:20]

This was pretty good. I tend to believe Charlotte is hit or miss when it comes to TV matches (PLEs, however, are a different story), but she showed up here and it helped the match a lot. The accidental kick to Asuka sets up the triple threat for Fastline nicely, and the loss for Damage CTRL, with Bayley taking the pin, means dissension is still always present in that group, which is intriguing if nothing else. You had to know the babyfaces would get the win, considering how tomorrow night is the PLE, but they had me guessing toward the end, so I can’t complain about that. A very solid television match. 

Charlotte and SKY started the match. SKY went for an early rollup and got a one-count. SKY posed, but Charlotte came back with a slam and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a two-count. Asuka tagged in and chopped SKY repeatedly. Asuka went for a kick and SKY avoided it to hit a roll-up for a two-count. SKY reached for a tag, but Bayley was jawing at the crowd. As a result, Asuka took back control with a kick. Asuka ran at SKY, but Bayley shoved SKY out of the way and Asuka hit Bayley. Asuka went to the top and landed a double dropkick on Bayley and SKY as the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from the commercial break, Bayley was working a chinlock on Asuka. Bayley hit a vertical suplex for a two-count. SKY tagged in and worked on Asuka’s arm. SKY worked a body-scissors and then bit Asuka’s face. Bayley tagged in and ran Asuka into a corner. Bayley knocked Charlotte off the apron and ran Asuka unto a turnbuckle. SKY tagged in and the two face-planted Asuka. Asuka fired up and landed some elbows to SKY. Asuka went for a cover, but SKY’s shoulders weren’t down, so the ref didn’t count. Ultimately, Asuka got the hot tag to Charlotte as Bayley tagged in as well. 

Charlotte went to the top and hit a high cross-body on Bayley. Charlotte landed some signature chops. SKY entered the ring and Charlotte hit a fallaway slam. Charlotte followed that up with a neck-breaker on Bayley and went for her flip-clothesline, but Bayley cut her off. Within seconds, Charlotte went for it again and landed it for a good near-fall. Asuka tagged in and put Bayley on the top rope. Charlotte tagged in and Asuka and Charlotte set up for a super-plex, but SKY cut it off and threw Charlotte and Asuka – along with Bayley – down to the canvas. All four women were down. 

Bayley kicked Charlotte and Charlotte kicked Bayley. SKY ran in to hit a meteora on Charlotte. Asuka held Bayley, but Bayley moved and Charlotte kicked Asuka off the apron. Bayley woooo-ed in Charlotte’s face. SKY hit the apron, which got Bayley off track and as a result, Charlotte landed the Natural Selection for the win.

**********

– The Bloodline were walking backstage and entered a locker room … where they found the Judgment Day sitting in said locker room. The show went to break. When it returned, the factions were staring each other down. Rhea Ripley told everyone to leave because she and Heyman needed to have a chat. Sikoa and Priest continued to have a stare down regardless of the orders. Eventually, Ripley and Heyman were left alone to talk. 

– Kevin Patrick threw to a video recapping the Bobby Lashley/Street Profits stuff from last week. 

Bobby Lashley defeated Rey Mysterio [12:46]

Maybe I’m grumpy, maybe I’m tired and maybe I’m just annoyed, but I’ve had enough of seeing Rey Mysterio set up for a 619 one hundred thousand times in a match and barely land the first part of it … half the time. Anyway, it would have been hard to buy into Mysterio winning, if only because this was Lashley’s first WWE television match since May – not to mention their respective factions are going to face each other tomorrow night – but both guys told a good story, complete with size advantage in mind. Lashley is a little underrated for being a big guy and Mysterio is a legend, so in some ways, I might end up preferring this one-on-one matchup over the six-man that’s slated for Fastlane. We’ll see how tomorrow goes. As for this, it was solid TV. 

Lashley backed Mysterio into a corner and the size difference between the two was nuts. Lashley hit a shoulder-block to take Mysterio down. Lashley hit some elbows and choked Mysterio over the middle rope. Mysterio ran the ropes and it looked like there was a tiny bit of miscommunication, but Mysterio ultimately got control and hit a springboard moonsault, but only got a one-count out of it. Lashley was on the outside and Mysterio teased a 619, but held onto the ropes, swung back into the ring, and the show went to a commercial break. 

When the show returned, Lashley was working a bearhug. Mysterio fought his way out of it, but Lashley cut him off and went back to the bearhug. Mysterio head-butted his way out of it, but Lashley responded another whip to a corner and another go at a bearhug. Again, Mysterio fought out of it and kicked Lashley in the head. Mysterio went to the top, but Lashley cut him off and draped Mysterio from the top turnbuckle. Lashley landed a series of strikes before Lashley ran at Mysterio and Mysterio moved. From there, Mysterio landed a sitting senton. Mysterio ran at Lashley, but Lashley caught him. Even so, Mysterio turned that into a tornado DDT for a good near-fall. 

Mysterio pounded on Lashley, but Lashley caught Mysterio and lifted Mysterio for a vertical suplex, but Mysterio got out of it and set up for a 619, but Lashley caught Mysterio and hit an axe-handle to land Mysterio on the outside of the ring. Lashley ran Mysterio into the crowd barrier and then rolled Mysterio back into the ring. Lashley then threw Santos Escobar around. Mysterio tried to hit a splash, but Lashley caught him. Mysterio countered by throwing Lashley into a ring post. Back inside the ring, Mysterio set up for a 619 and this time hit the first part of it. The Street Profits and LWO brawled on the outside. The scene stopped Mysterio from following up on the 619. When Mysterio finally got back to it, Lashley speared Mysterio for the win.

**********

– Ripley and Heyman were shown talking in the locker room. Ripley told Heyman to make a wise decision. Ripley said the Judgment Day and Bloodline are stronger together. Heyman said he liked the idea. Heyman said it was a really good idea, and he was going to remove himself to make a phone call and authorize things, but Ripley stopped him. Ripley said the deal is authorized. Ripley looked at Heyman and said, “Acknowledge me.” Heyman told Ripley she was in the wrong locker room to say something like that. Ripley said Jey Uso acknowledges her and if Heyman doesn’t, they will find out who’s stronger – Judgment Day or the Bloodline. Ripley closed it by saying Heyman was authorized to go make his “little phone call.” 

**********

– A video profiling Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn aired. Hey, dudes. Where ya been?! Let’s hope WWE isn’t just bringing you around because Halloween is on on tap and the aesthetic makes sense. Really, though. You’re better than that. Anyway, back to the action. 

Dragon Lee defeated Austin Theory [9:19]

Wow, if you would have told me Cameron Grimes was still a thing in WWE, I would have said, “Please define ‘A Thing,'” before asking “What, again, is a ‘Cameron Grimes?'” Regardless, this was fun, and Lee looked good here (but not as good as he did against Dirty Dom a few weeks ago which says way more about Theory than it does Dom). I’m all for keeping Lee on the main roster, and I’m even more for giving Grimes a true, honest-to-goodness push (or at least real attention), so I have no problem with the way this worked out. Theory, meanwhile, continues to be a salad with no dressing, no matter how many times the waiter tries to tell me the flavor was included in the plate. At some point, someone is going to have to figure out something.

Theory grabbed a mic before the match started and told everyone they were in the presence of greatness. Theory said he was such a ncie guy, he allowed The Rock to share a ring with him. Theory said he’s the 150 million hit man. The bell rang and Theory backed Lee up. Lee fired up and landed a fury of moves to get himself a two-count. As a result, Grayson Waller’s music hit and Waller walked down to the ring. Theory took advantage and attacked Lee. Lee came back and dropkicked Theory for a two-count. Lee hit a snap German Suplex. Waller got on the apron and Theory responded with a rolling dropkick to take back control. The show then went to another commercial break. 

Back from that break, Theory went for another rolling move, but Lee cut him off with a super-kick. Lee landed a series of axe-handles and a kick to Theory’s face. Lee hit a running dropkick. Theory worked his way back and hit a nice spinning back-breaker for a two-count. Corey Graves made a comment about people being mad about wearing masks that didn’t quite land. Lee countered Theory with a Liger Bomb for a two-count. Waller distracted Lee, but Theory couldn’t put Lee away. Lee was perched on the top rope, but Lee worked out of hit and hit a double-stomp on Theory. Waller pulled Theory to the outside and Lee landed a flip dive before rolling Theory back into the ring. 

Waller slammed Lee’s head off the apron and rolled Lee into the ring. Out of nowhere, Cameron Grimes showed up and attacked Waller. That was enough to distract Theory and Lee rolled up Theory for the win.

**********

– Backstage, it was determined there was no way the LWO can fully compete in the six-man tag match at Fastlane due to injuries sustained earlier. Mysterio said he was going to make a phone call to remedy the issue. 

– A video package chronicling the Seth Rollins/Shinuske Nakamura program aired.

– The commentary team ran down the Fastlane card.  

– Next week, Roman Reigns will return to SmackDown. In addition to that, Pretty Deadly will return and face off against Ridge Holland and Butch. Triple H will make an appearance as well, which I guess means WWE is determined to make sure SmackDown gets more viewers than AEW’s Rampage. I kid. To the main event, we go.

LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso via DQ [7:47]

An Angle Alert if there ever was one. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. But this match was never supposed to have a pure finish. The babyfaces standing tall makes me wonder if Fastlane will be the Night Of The Heels (and, perhaps, a Roman Reigns appearance). For what this was supposed to be, it was fine enough. Knight had one of his better in-ring outings while it lasted and Jimmy has really become an entertaining “I will never believe in you” heel. What this means for tomorrow night, only time will tell. For now, this was a very good way to end the show and the live crowd was there for it. Can’t ask for much more than that. 

The two jawed at each other to start the match. They then locked up and Uso got the better of Knight, until Knight worked a side head-lock. Knight shoulder-blocked Uso to the mat and said “Yeah!” Uso kicked Knight and worked a side head-lock of his own. Uso then hit a shoulder-block of his own, too, which took Knight down. Knight came back with a back-elbow. Knight then hit a power-slam for a two-count. Both guys went for their respective finishers, but both missed. Action spilled to the outside, where Knight hit a dropkick and threw Uso back into the ring, where Uso landed a spinning kick, thus taking the action back to the outside. Uso hit a super-kick and the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from that commercial break, Knight slammed Uso onto his knees after a sunset flip in a spot that felt unnatural. Knight hit a Russian Leg Sweep and a DDT before stomping on him repeatedly. Knight landed a running knee for a two-count. Knight went to lift Uso, but Uso got out of it … until Knight caught him and hit a powerslam. Knight hit his jumping elbow, but Solo Sikoa quickly entered the ring and the match ended. 

John Cena’s music ended and Cena threw Sikoa out of the ring. The Judgment Day’s music then hit and the entire faction walked to the ring. Outside the ring, Ripley and Heyman shook hands and Heyman yelled “authorized.” The two factions surrounded the ring with Knight and Cena standing in the ring. Jey Uso’s music hit and out came Jey to help even things up. Cody’s music hit and Cody came out to do the same. The crowd was very happy about all of this. 

Heyman grabbed Sikoa and in the meantime, the rest of the wrestlers brawled. Sikoa and Cena eventually squared off inside the ring. Cena got the best of it first, but Sikoa came back and then Knight entered the ring and clotheslined Sikoa to the outside. McDonough entered the ring and the babyfaces worked him over. Cena, especially, got all his spots in. Cody threw his weight belt into the crowd and hit the CrossRhodes on JD. Cody’s music hit to close out the segment and the show.