WWE SmackDown results 03/22/24: Cody Rhodes comes prepared for Bloodline hijinks

Turns out that neither Roman Reigns nor Cody Rhodes really kept their word on WWE SmackDown in Milwaukee.

Promises are a funny thing. Even villains, when they have a code of honor, can keep them, and there’s a big one that is at the heart of tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Milwaukee.

This week on Raw, Roman Reigns gave his word via Paul Heyman that he wanted to talk to Cody Rhodes on SmackDown and that he’d show up alone — no other Bloodline except for Heyman. In return, he asked that Rhodes also bring no backup, and Cody agreed.

It was somewhat reminiscent of the kind of agreement you’d see in movies, like a hostage exchange or drop of some sort. Meet me at this place, at this time, no cops.

Whether Reigns actually follows through will tell us a lot about how he’s feeling on the Road to WrestleMania. Does it make sense, at this point in his tale, that he’d be confident enough to stand across from Cody with no contingency plan? He did defeat Rhodes last year at WrestleMania, after all.

Or is Roman now paranoid and willing to go back on his word, a sign he’d do anything to keep the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from even possibly slipping through his grasp?

It’ll also be nice to see Reigns take center stage on the Bloodline portion of things, as he’s been somewhat upstaged by The Rock the last few weeks. Pretty sure that’s never going to come up again somewhere down the road. Yep, probably never. Wink, wink.

There are important tag team matches in store as well, which will help shape the Tag Team Ladder match at WrestleMania. Buckle up and prepare, Milwaukee, because here we go.

WWE SmackDown results from Milwaukee:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Cody Rhodes and Damage CTRL are shown entering the arena
  • Santos Escobar def. Rey Mysterio by pinfall, in large part due to a distraction from Dominik Mysterio
  • Bayley thanks Naomi for helping her last week, but Bianca Belair hasn’t forgiven the Role Model for what she did as leader of Damage CTRL, and Naomi ends up having to step between them as they bicker
  • Backstage, Bianca and Naomi continue to have a conversation, to which Naomi says she can’t change what’s happened in the past and won’t back down when Damage CTRL is picking them off one by one
  • Austin Theory and Grayson Waller def. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows by pinfall in a Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match, with Theory using the ropes for leverage to aid in his pinfall
  • A hype video pushes Bron Breakker as a superior athlete
  • Highlights are shown from Roman Reigns’ appearance on “The  Pat McAfee Show”
  • IYO SKY def. Naomi by pinfall thanks to aid from Damage CTRL; after the match, Naomi gets a dose of the poison mist from Asuka before Bianca Belair hits the ring with a vengeance, and is able to do pretty well against the whole group until numbers wear her down
  • Jade Cargill will make her first official appearance as a SmackDown superstar next week
  • Tiffany Stratton mocks Naomi as she’s trying to get the mist rinsed out of her eyes
  • Nick Aldis is talking to Kevin Owens when they’re interrupted by Pretty Deadly, and KO ends up challenging them to a tag team match alongside Randy Orton; K.O. ends up punching both members of Pretty Deadly in the face at once, as he does
  • Footage is shown of LA Knight rolling up at the house of AJ Styles and starting a fight with him, then dashcam video shows Knight getting arrested

  • Street Profits def. Authors of Pain by pinfall in a Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match
  • Paul Heyman is on the phone telling Roman Reigns that Cody Rhodes is here alone, and that his public awaits
  • Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes go face to face, and when it turns out Reigns actually did bring The Bloodline with him, Cody has backup too in the form of Jey Uso and Seth Rollins

Naomi learns going it alone against IYO SKY isn’t really a great idea

Is IYO even going to make it out to the ring? Cameras find her backstage scrapping with Bayley, but she gets the better of it and refs finally tell the WWE Women’s Champion to get to the ring.

SKY has to weather an early storm, and the crowd gets behind Naomi as she rallies to hit a springboard bulldog of sorts for a near fall that leads to a commercial break.

Yes Corey Graves, Milwaukee is starting to feel the glow after the break. She splashes into a split but gets only another two count.

You feel like Damage CTRL is going to interfere at some point, and perhaps others may get involved too. Maybe soon after Naomi hits a superplex and rolls through to produce another near fall.

Ah here come the Kabuki Warriors and Dakota Kai, perfectly timed to set their leader up for an Over the Moonsault to win it.


Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes exchange insults, and neither came alone

So far so good for Reigns sticking to his word, as Roman comes to the ring accompanied only by Paul Heyman. The Tribal Chief asks for and is handed a mic, talking about how he kept his word and showed up without the Bloodline. He asks everyone to acknowledge him while Cody is shown walking toward the entrance.

After commercials, Rhodes makes his way out to join Reigns in the ring. Cody says he’s as much a man of his word and also came alone, to which Roman calls him a fool.

From Reigns’ perspective, Rhodes is unfit for the position of face of the company. He scoffs at Cody aligning himself with Seth Rollins, reminding Rhodes that Rollins eventually stabbed him in the back.

Cody of course remembers The Shield, but asks if Roman remembers the first team that defeated them. He also says he has his “bullet cufflinks” on so he knows all about factions and betrayals, and he’s banking on Rollins hating Reigns more than he hates Cody.

There’s also a good question: Can Roman trust The Rock? Who’s really in charge of The Bloodline anyway, the Tribal Chief or the Final Boss? A “Roman sucks” chant breaks out in response.

Reigns retorts that Rhodes said the same thing to The Rock in reverse, then ridicules him for promising things and failing to deliver like a politician. All Cody will ever be is No. 2, while he’s No. 1 … forever.

Talking about how Reigns grew up in the business like he did, Rhodes says he’s accepted the idea that the next generation of youngsters will grow up wanting to be the next Roman. Cody disagrees about being No. 2, though, saying he’s the one and offering a handshake and good luck at WrestleMania.

Reigns shakes Heyman’s hand instead and they leave the ring. But Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa are approaching the ring through the crowd, and the American Nightmare looks surrounded.

Cody cracks a smile, though, as Jey Uso and Seth Rollins are also out in the crowd. It’s a big standoff to end the show, like something out of a movie.

WWE SmackDown preview 03/22/24: Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes face off

WWE SmackDown from Milwaukee will also see two teams get closer to qualifying for the Ladder match at WrestleMania.

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Paul Heyman says Roman Reigns is a Tribal Chief of his word. Whether Cody Rhodes can truly trust that or not is an issue at the very heart of tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Milwaukee.

What will Cody, Roman want to talk about — and will they do it alone?

Even though Reigns and Rhodes are no strangers to each other, it’s only right that they have another face-to-face meeting before they fight not once but twice at WrestleMania 40. It’s good that they are, too, because as one of the Wrestling Junkie staffers said last week, it was starting to feel like Cody vs. The Rock was the main event since they’ve been interacting the most.

That shouldn’t happen tonight, as The Rock isn’t scheduled to be here and Reigns promised (via Heyman) that no other members of The Bloodline would be on hand. If we were Reigns, though, we’d have Seth Rollins or Jey Uso on speed dial. You know, just in case.

Can Rey Mysterio get some revenge against Santos Escobar?

One of the pieces of the WrestleMania 40 puzzle that hasn’t quite fallen into place yet is the one concerning Legado Del Fantasma and the LWO. Will there be a multi-person match of some sort? We might get an idea tonight.

On the surface, it’s going to be Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar one on one. But while that sounds great on paper, it seems unlikely that no one from their respective groups will try to get involved. And if that happens, a match could very well be made for Philly by the end of the night.

Who will get closer to joining the teams in the Six-Pack Ladder match at WrestleMania?

There are two spots left in the Ladder match at the Show of Shows, and there still will be by the time SmackDown fades to black. But two teams will advance one more step in two separate matches, one of which is very interesting.

Let’s deal with the one that should be by the books first. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller will take on the Good Brothers and … let’s be real, Anderson and Gallows haven’t done anything as of late to make one think they’ll be competing for gold at WrestleMania.

The other match pits the Street Profits against Authors of Pain. Not only could you see either team in the Ladder match, it’s going to be a continuation of the beef between Bobby Lashley and the Profits (please give them a stable name already) and The Final Testament. Should be intriguing.

We’re going to tear ourselves away from college hoops for a few hours tonight to recap all the action live, so join us back here at Wrestling Junkie at 8 p.m. ET for all the latest.

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WWE SmackDown results 03/15/24: Rock Concert for Cody, Bayley gets Damage CTRL-alt-deleted

WWE SmackDown from Memphis also made several more WrestleMania 40 matches official.

You know what’s fun in kind of a surreal way about WWE right now? The Rock is something of a regular! He’s making his third consecutive WWE SmackDown appearance tonight in Memphis, so he’s practically part of the ongoing crew now.

And while we kid Mr. Rock, it is easy to take for granted that one of the busiest guys in Hollywood (not to mention his other business interests) is on TV every Friday, then cutting long and entertaining video promos randomly throughout the week. You may not be rooting for him — almost certainly most WWE fans will be cheering against him at WrestleMania — but you have to respect how committed he’s been to this whole angle.

(Yes, there’s a cynical aspect to it to since he’s on the TKO board now, so of course he wants the company to do well, but still.)

Anyway, we’re anxious to see what he’s got up his sleeveless vest again tonight, so let’s fire this up and see what we’ve got.

WWE SmackDown results from Memphis:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • The broadcast begins with a recap of the challenge The Rock and Roman Reigns made to Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, which of course was accepted for night 1 of WrestleMania
  • The Rock Concert is back, to the delight of the Memphis fans, but The Rock also has pointed messages for Cody and Mama Rhodes
  • Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) def. LWO (Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde) by pinfall in a WrestleMania Qualifying Match
  • Kayla Braxton talks to LA Knight, who dares AJ Styles to come out and humble him, finding it curious that Styles would fly all the way to Australia but wouldn’t drive to Memphis; he challenges Styles to a match at WrestleMania, at which point AJ finally appears, attacking LA from behind with a steel chair before accepting the challenge

  • Logan Paul asks Nick Aldis what the repercussions will be for Randy Orton messing with him last week, but the GM suggests Paul request an apology from Orton in person; Paul also insults Aldis by saying he can’t expect Nick to do his job when he can’t even find Logan a WrestleMania opponent
  • Jimmy Uso is asked about the challenge made to him by Jey Uso, and he says “YEET” to it, which sounds like he accepts to us

  • Randy Orton def. Grayson Waller by pinfall, after which Kevin Owens helps fight off Austin Theory and Paul; Aldis also arrives with some news: at WrestleMania, Paul will defend his United States Championship against both Owens and Orton in a Triple Threat match
  • Dakota Kai says everything Bayley is going through is her own fault and warns the “chicks” in the locker room that Damage CTRL runs the show
  • Santos Escobar def. Dragon Lee by pinfall; after the match, Carlito tries to fight all of Legado Del Fantasma by himself, but he soon has more help in the form of Rey Mysterio, who challenges Escobar to a match next week
  • New Catch Republic def. Pretty Deadly by pinfall in a WrestleMania Qualifying Match
  • Bayley de. Dakota Kai by DQ after interference from Damage CTRL, and not even Naomi is enough to help fight off a show-closing beatdown of the Role Model

The Rock Concert is back like it never left, and The Rock addresses Cody’s mom

Walking out to a bit of a remix between his current and old themes, The Rock also gets a mixed reaction from the fans that sounds like more cheers than boos. He says he usually scorches every city he’s in, but this city is different … because his wrestling career began in Memphis.

He even mentions the Flex Kavana moniker he used before saying that The Rock has come back home. Since it’s the home of the blues and Elvis, The Rock wants to sing a song. And hey, he’s got legitimate musicians backing him this time!

Of course, his song starts in on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Ja Morant catches a stray as well, and then the final verse zeroes in on the Cody Crybabies.

Lest we think that’s all The Rock is going to do, he’s not done with Cody even once his Rock Concert is complete. He mocks Rhodes for crying on Raw and says he wants to talk to Cody’s mom.

The Rock addresses her directly, saying he’s going to make her and her son pay. How? By beating Cody with a belt and then handing her the bloody belt, apparently. If you smell what The Final Boss is cooking.


Grayson Waller is sacrificed to Randy Orton in front of Logan Paul, who gets some bad WrestleMania news

Before the action even gets going, Logan Paul’s music hits and the United States Champion makes his way down the ramp. He settles in with the announcers to get a closer look at this one, still griping (and finding sympathy from Wade Barrett) about not having a WrestleMania match.

It’s interesting that the announce team framed Waller as Austin Theory’s mentor since Austin made the main roster first and has won titles. Both men seem pretty happy as Orton ends up sprawled over the announce table before a commercial break.

The crowd is really into Orton’s offense, then disappointed when Theory pulls Waller away from certain doom. Theory, ever the good sport these days, takes the vintage Orton DDT, and Waller takes the RKO that ends it.

After the bell, however, Theory attacks Orton, allowing Paul to mock the Viper. But before he can deliver a right hand, Kevin Owens comes rushing to the rescue, quickly driving away the heels.

Orton nearly RKOs Owens by accident, but Theory ends up taking both a stunner and an RKO. That brings out Nick Aldis, who says he’s figured out Logan’s WrestleMania opponents, as in plural.

It’ll be Paul vs. Owens vs. Orton for the United States Championship. Interesting.


Bayley wins by DQ but Damage CTRL proves its point

How great is it to see Kai back in there in earnest after so much time off? And what’s up with the “whoop that trick” chants? As Wade Barrett notes, Trick Williams must love that his catchphrase is so over.

The rest of Damage CTRL is at ringside, so that’s more than a little potential concern for Bayley. Kai tries for something, perhaps a superplex, but Bayley shoves her down and drops a flying elbow.

Dakota pulls off a sweet overhead kick, allowing Kairi Sane to get involved while Kai has the ref’s attention. Kai’s stiff kick is answered by a powerbomb, and now all of Damage CTRL is involved but the ref for some reason doesn’t call for the bell until IYO SKY hammers Bayley across the back.

Someone will need to come to the rescue, and it turns out to be Naomi. The problem is the numbers game is still against the heroes, and SKY delivers the Over the Moonsault to Bayley. Damage CTRL poses triumphantly over Bayley as the show goes off the air about two minutes early.

WWE SmackDown results 03/01/24: The Rock acknowledges Roman Reigns, has counteroffer for Cory Rhodes

The Rock gave Cody Rhodes — and the WWE Universe — plenty to think about after WWE SmackDown from Glendale.

In case you missed it, The Rock has been a busy man. As in, cut a 21-plus minute promo ahead of tonight’s show busy. But while The People’s Champ said many amusing things during said promo, he left out one particular point of interest for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown from Glendale.

That, of course, is whether he will accept the challenge laid down recently by Cody Rhodes. Still smarting psychologically from The Rock smacking him at WrestleMania XL Kickoff, the American Nightmare said he’s love to fight The People’s Champion any time, any place.

The time is not going to be tonight and the place is not going to be Glendale. Which is too bad, since yours truly has a good friend in the audience tonight. But it could be soon, as in either on the Road to WrestleMania … or at WrestleMania itself.

See, a common fan theory is that we end up with Rhodes and Seth Rollins battling The Rock and Roman Reigns on night 1 in Philly before everyone attends to their business on night 2 (including Rhodes vs. Reigns). Let’s see if tonight’s SmackDown points us in that direction or a different one. We’re excited to see what’s in store regardless.

WWE SmackDown results from Glendale:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • We open with highlights from Elimination Chamber Perth, lest we forget that this is the first SmackDown since that show
  • The Bloodline is on the same page, including The Rock, and they have a counteroffer for Cody Rhodes (and Seth Rollins)
  • Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are mocking Randy Orton’s fate at Elimination Chamber, but in classic fashion, he’s right behind them, which is bad for Theory since he gets volun-told to face Orton later tonight
  • Tiffany Stratton def. Naomi by pinfall
  • Kabuki Warriors vs. Bayley and Dakota Kai is a no contest (we think) after Kai turns on Bayley mid-match, helping the Warriors and IYO SKY beat her down
  • Damage CTRL seems pretty pleased walking backstage, but their smiles disappear when Jade Cargill appears, on hand to talk with Nick Aldis
  • Bron Breakker def. Xyon Quinn in about three seconds after a spear
  • A memorial graphic is displayed to honor the late Mike “Virgil” Jones
  • Carlito def. Santos Escobar by pinfall in a Street Fight, due in large part to assistance from a returning Rey Mysterio
  • New Catch Republic talks to Aldis about how they can earn another title shot at WrestleMania, and he says there will be an announcement about those titles soon; Aldis next runs into LA Knight searching furiously for AJ Styles, and he says there isn’t anything anyone can do to stop him from getting some payback
  • Randy Orton def. Austin Theory by pinfall, then gets help from Kevin Owens, who was on guest commentary, to fight off Theory and Grayson Waller as the show closes

The Rock acknowledges Roman Reigns, has a counteroffer for Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

We’re wasting no time tonight, as Roman Reigns and The Bloodline head to the ring in the first segment. The Rock is not with them, and the fans start one chant that has to be blanked out, then start another for Cody Rhodes.

Reigns asks people to acknowledge him twice since the first crowd reaction isn’t enough for him, but that ends up in another “Cody” chant. Third time’s the charm? It better be or else Reigns says he’s leaving.

He wants to do just that, but Paul Heyman says they can’t because “he’s coming out” if they just give Heyman a moment. Yes, he means The Rock. But apparently he’s not coming until after commercials.

Reigns seems unhappy about having to wait, but after the ads, sure enough, it’s The Great One. He asks, perhaps rhetorically, if the fans are sure they want to boo The Rock. But he has some good news to share. Well, not really as he accuses people from nearby Phoenix of being heavy drug users.

Finally proceeding, The Rock says everyone in The Bloodline is happy because wrestling is cool again. He also shoots down Cody’s request for a match, saying you don’t just go one-on-one with The Great One just because you want to.

As businessmen, however, Rock and Reigns have a counteroffer for Rhodes. And it’s an interesting one: Rock and Reigns vs. Rhodes and Seth Rollins. If the good guys win, Rhodes vs. Reigns will be free of Bloodline presence as they’ll be banned from ringside. However, if the bad guys win the tag team match, the night 2 match will be Bloodline Rules, meaning anything goes.

The Rock says Rhodes now has a lot to think about, but if he doesn’t accept the challenge, he and Reigns will end Cody’s story tragically. He says they expect an answer next week and is about to do the “If you smell … ” bit, but he’s stopped by Reigns.

Roman says he needs something from his cousin: He needs The Rock to acknowledge him.

It appears that won’t go well, but Rock does acknowledge Reigns as his Tribal Chief and they hug, even as “you sold out” chants rain down. This is family, The Rock explains, and he proves it by letting Roman finish his most famous catchphrase.


Dakota Kai shows her true colors, turns on Bayley

Though the Warriors look like they want no part of their former teammates before the bell, they also rush Bayley as soon as the match officially begins. Kairi Sane is able to push Bayley off the top rope while the ref’s back is turned, so the champs are already a step ahead of their foes.

Kai gets knocked off the apron, leaving Bayley solo against both of their opponents and allowing Sane to score a near fall. Bayley is finally able to knock down both Warriors, but when the Role Model heads over for the tag … Kai jumps off the apron.

Knowing she’s been betrayed, Bayley goes after Kai on the floor, but now it’s a three-on-one battle. IYO SKY laughs in the corner, then gets into the act by smacking Bayley with a knee to the back of the head. SKY can only laugh at Bayley’s plight, and the four members of Damage CTRL leave together.


Carlito gets a massive LWO assist to beat Santos Escobar in a Street Fight

The announcers point out how Carlito came up through the ranks in the Puerto Rican wrestling scene from a young age, so he’s very prepared for a match like this. He tries to find some weaponry under the ring early on, but he settles for running Escobar into the steel stairs as fans chant for apples.

Carlito is in trouble through a commercial break, but he’s able to use a chair and a trash can to mount a strong rally. Both of them together work very nicely indeed.

A move onto the steel chair gets Carlito a two count, and he hears the crowd and drags a table into the ring too. Escobar is ready with a step-up knee shot, but he gets crotched on the top rope right before Angel and Humberto of Legado Del Fantasma invade the ring.

A three-man powerbomb has the end looking near, but Carlito kicks out at two, mystifying Escobar. Angel and Humberto set up the table only to be rushed by Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro.

But there’s one more person who enters the fray: a returning Rey Mysterio, who comes out on crutches but reveals he doesn’t need them. Rey hits the 619 on Santos, and Carlito puts Escobar through a table to seal the victory.


Randy Orton takes out Austin Theory, gets some KO help after the bell

Kevin Owens joins the announcers for guest commentary, and he’s always a delight in this role. Orton charges across the ring when the bell rings and lands corner punches at will, followed by a European uppercut.

Out to the floor they go, where Owens begs Orton to slam Theory on the desk. Grayson Waller’s timely distraction allows Theory to gain the upper hand, and it’s Randy bouncing off the desk before a commercial break.

Orton is mounting a rally after we return, using clotheslines to set up a powerslam. Theory is sent out to the floor, where KO is delighted to see Theory dropped back first on the announce table. Waller gets the same treatment, with KO pointing out how he bounces.

Vintage Orton is next, and he wants an RKO but is sent into the post instead. A rolling blockbuster by Theory is on target, but Orton kicks out at two.

Theory chop blocks Orton and nails him with a forearm shot, hooking the leg but getting only two again. Theory tries to do his own version of the draping DDT but gets thrown to the floor. He rolls back in looking for a cutter, but Orton counters with an RKO to win it.

After the bell, Waller tries to attack Orton but gets quickly met by Owens. KO stuns Theory, Orton hits an RKO on Waller, and the fans go home happy, we’d think.

WWE SmackDown results 02/02/24: Cody Rhodes won’t challenge Roman Reigns, but it looks like The Rock will

Neither Bayley nor Cody Rhodes made the obvious WrestleMania choice on SmackDown … and The Rock returned.

It should be an interesting night on WWE SmackDown from Birmingham, Ala. as the Road to WrestleMania gets a couple of big signposts placed down … but will they be the ones we’ve been expecting for so long?

The big attraction for tonight is that WWE says Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns will be face to face. After Rhodes won the Men’s Royal Rumble match, most people figured it was a given that he’d ask for a rematch in Philadelphia against Reigns.

But the creative team at least wants us to think it might zig where we expect it to zag, what with Seth Rollins making his case for Rhodes to challenge for his World Heavyweight Championship instead on Raw. If the goal was to at least plant the seed of doubt that would lead to Rhodes vs. Rollins and The Rock vs. Roman, it worked.

Also, there are rumors that someone else is in Birmingham too, if you catch our drift. This whole situation could get very interesting before the night is through.

Interesting might actually be an understatement for the Damage CTRL saga on SmackDown. Bayley has also won the right to challenge for a championship, but would she really consider going after teammate IYO SKY because she’s too scared to challenge Rhea Ripley? Or might SKY force her hand somehow? We can’t wait to find out.

Buckle up and let’s get into it.

WWE SmackDown results from Birmingham:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • The Bloodline is shown entering the arena and heading for their dressing room before a Royal Rumble highlight package is shown
  • Logan Paul thinks he’s done with Kevin Owens but might be mistaken
  • Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory by pinfall after using brass knux that Paul tries to supply to Theory, the difference this time is that he doesn’t let the referee see it; Paul escapes into the crowd to avoid Owens after the match
  • Rhea Ripley is shown on her way into the arena, and we see a hype video for Naomi’s return at Royal Rumble; both Naomi and Tiffany Stratton have signed to SmackDown, and Stratton decides to show how unafraid she is of the existing roster by smacking Michin
  • Bianca Belair asks Nick Aldis what she has to do to take on IYO SKY once Bayley chooses Rhea, but she’s not happy when Paul crashes their conversation asking about a match
  • Santos Escobar is out to dinner with his new Legado Del Fantasma and says his heart is full, but also tells his team their duty is to eradicate Rey Mysterio and the LWO
  • Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate def. Pretty Deadly, Legado Del Fantasma (Angel and Humberto) and LWO (Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde); they’ll now face the winner of a similar Fatal Four-Way on Raw, and the winner of that match will get a tag team title shot at Elimination Chamber
  • IYO SKY, Asuka and Kairi Sane seem to be plotting against Bayley … but she’s overheard them
  • Another version of Seth Rollins’ plea to Cody Rhodes is played, presenting the big question: What kind of champion do you want to be?
  • Bayley makes her WrestleMania choice, but it appears she’s done with Damage CTRL
  • The Final Testament has a brief clash with Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits, who get help from B-Fab to neutralize Scarlett
  • Aldis is working on getting Bron Breakker to sign for SmackDown, but he’s willing to talk to Pearce on Monday first; Jade Cargill stops in to talk to Aldis as well
  • Tiffany Stratton def. Michin by pinfall
  • The Tribal Chief is here to hear from Cody Rhodes, who looks to be setting aside a WrestleMania challenge to make way for The Rock

Logan Paul learns Kevin Owens isn’t done with him yet

Addressing the boos that greet him, Paul says he doesn’t want to be there either, because “this place sucks.” He admits that he underestimated Kevin Owens, saying he did more damage to him than Floyd Mayweather.

Paul mocks the wrestlers who have suffered injuries, calling himself unbreakable. Mercifully, someone interrupts him, and that someone is KO. After saying Birmingham seems like a great place to him, Owens says he felt good knocking the Maverick around, so now he can focus on taking the title from Logan and getting it sanitized.

“You took the bait, dummy,” Paul laughs, bragging about outsmarting Owens and causing him to get DQed. KO isn’t ashamed about cheating during the match but is a little sheepish about getting caught. Nevertheless, he says he won’t need brass knux to beat Paul next time.

Paul says Owens won’t be getting another title shot and says KO should focus on his match with Austin Theory … which appear to be up next.


Bayley makes her WrestleMania choice as Damage CTRL implodes

Accompanied by Damage CTRL, Bayley makes her way to the ring where both Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are waiting. The fans are chanting for her, so this would be a good place for a face turn if that’s what awaits.

Bayley says she’s done almost everything there is to do at WrestleMania, but this year is different and special. She says she didn’t get there on her own, support that she never had in any previous year, as Damage CTRL was always there to support her.

When she thinks about Mania, she thinks about moments and beating the best, which brings her to Rhea Ripley. Or she could fight a different fight. Sometimes, she says, it’s more personal and about proving doubters wrong. Sometimes it’s about proving the people you thought were your friends wrong.

Bayley says she picked up some Japanese from all the times IYO SKY, Asuka and Kairi Sane were talking about her behind her back. She grows emotionally asking what happened between them, but the Kabuki Warriors jump her from behind. It’s going badly for Bayley until she produces a metal pipe and has a standoff with SKY, who has her title belt to use as a weapon.

As SKY and the Kabuki Warriors retreat, Bayley says about that announcement … “IYO, I’ll see you at WrestleMania.”


Tiffany Stratton has the prettiest debut ever against Michin

Michin greets Stratton with a furious attack as soon as the bell rings, so this won’t be a walk in the park debut by any means. A gutwrench suplex tosses Stratton backward and is followed by a vertical suplex for a near fall.

Stratton is forced to the floor, where she’s able to trip Michin on the apron and declare it’s Tiffy Time before commercials slide in.

Stratton’s still in control after the break but pays for taking the time to talk smack and has to suffer through a Michin rally. Double knees to the face in the corner force Tiffany to get a boot on the bottom rope for a break.

Tiffany cartwheels into an Alabama Slam and gets a two count. Michin responds with a boot to the face, but Stratton rolls forward and hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to wrap up a successful debut.


Cody Rhodes won’t challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania … but The Rock might

With the GMs in the ring again to await Rhodes, Reigns and The Bloodline make their way down as well. The fans chant for “Cody” but Reigns wants to be acknowledged first. Roman says he doesn’t like to recap but can’t let go of what Seth Rollins said on Monday. Didn’t he beat everyone competing for the World Heavyweight Championship, after all?

Reigns goes on to mock Rollins for being injured a lot and working too often. he says he won’t beg Rhodes like “the other guy,” saying Cody can either be the best No. 2 in this industry or take another crack at being No. 1.

After a commercial break, Rhodes arrives to ask Birmingham and Rhodes what they want to talk about. If Roman will indulge him, Cody wonders if they can have the ring to themselves.

Cody says he talked to just about everyone this week, from friends to legends. Rhodes says he had Reigns closer to defeat than anyone, and he thinks Roman knows that. One thing he disagrees with Rollins about is that Reigns’ title is the “Hollywood” title, because it’s the same one his father once had in his hands only to be swiftly taken away.

What does finishing the story mean to Roman, Cody wonders? Is it taking the championship or taking everything from him? Cody says he’s coming for Reigns … but not at WrestleMania. After all, one of the people he’s sought council from knows Roman vey well: The Rock.

The Great One moves in close to Rhodes and whispers something in his ear, and the American Nightmare leaves the ring. The show ends with Rock and Roman staring each other down, and a banner promoting a press event for WrestleMania 40 Thursday in Las Vegas.

WWE SmackDown results 01/26/24: Reigns’ challengers fight Bloodline, themselves

We also got new women’s tag team champs Friday on WWE SmackDown in Miami.

To say that it’s been an eventful week for WWE would be a high grade understatement. While the company no doubt hoped it would coast into the Royal Rumble weekend on the strength of the Netflix-Raw deal and The Rock joining the TKO board, it’s now instead dealing with the latest horrendous Vince McMahon allegations and the prospects of sponsors jumping ship.

Nothing is more WWE than a show playing out against that wide of a backdrop, but that’s exactly what we’ve got with WWE SmackDown in Miami tonight. Even with the Rumble matches and a Fatal Four-Way starring Roman Reigns looming, there’s some potential intrigue bubbling up tonight.

It starts with what should be tonight’s main event. LA Knight got one shot at Reigns already, and he has another on Saturday albeit with the complications of AJ Styles and Randy Orton in the mix. He’ll go one on one with Solo Sikoa in a classic case of either gaining momentum or giving him one last moment of triumph before he takes an ‘L’ tomorrow.

(And even though we love Knight, we have a feeling it’s going to be the latter.)

There’s a women’s tag team title match as well, one that could hint at some developments in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Bayley is the favorite there, but the Kabuki Warriors are going for gold in Miami. Should they win, does that put even more pressure on the Role Model to win on Saturday? Or might it finally signal the beginning of her end in Damage CTRL?

We have no idea, which is why we’ll be tuned in tonight. Here we go.

WWE SmackDown results from Miami:

(scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Katana Chance and Kayden Carter are shown walking into the arena earlier, as are their challengers, the Kabuki Warriors; after that, a video package is shown to promote the Fatal Four-Way at Royal Rumble
  • Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight all make their cases for dethroning Roman Reigns
  • Santos Escobar def. Carlito by pinfall, but the big news is that Elektra Lopez, who was part of Legado Del Fantasma in NXT, joins Escobar’s new version of that group and helps neutralize the LWO
  • A scowling Styles (is there any other kind these days?) is stopped by Jimmy Uso, who proposes that he help The Bloodline take out Knight tonight; when approached by The O.C. and Michin asking what that was about, Styles sneers “don’t worry about it”
  • Ava’s meeting with Nick Aldis is interrupted by Bobby Lashley drawing his number for the Royal Rumble and Santos Escobar doing the same
  • Bayley talks about her goals of winning the Royal Rumble and ensuring Damage CTRL wins all the gold
  • R-Truth is confused about what he’s doing while drawing his Rumble number, as well as mistaking Nick Aldis for Adam Pearce, whose hair has grown in awfully fast
  • The Kabuki Warriors def. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter by pinfall to become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
  • Paul Heyman begs Solo Sikoa to “fix the problem” tonight and show no mercy while doing so; he simply says “OK” in response before walking away, while Heyman suggests that there will be a moment for Jimmy Uso to seize this weekend by winning the Royal Rumble
  • Bayley comes in to pick her Royal Rumble number and looks a little less excited about hers than Bianca Belair did right before her
  • Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits’ encounter with The Final Testament goes poorly
  • Jimmy Uso draws his number and says “No Yeet” in response … so is he No. 1?
  • Austin Theory def. Carmelo Hayes by pinfall, pulling the tights to do so; but when Theory and Grayson Waller try to attack Hayes after the bell, Trick Williams comes to Hayes’ aid — though it doesn’t seem all good between them
  • Eladio Carrión is confronted backstage by The Bloodline but is wise enough not to push things with them
  • LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa by DQ (presumably) after Styles attacks Knight; Orton also joins the fight, which ends badly for Sikoa and Uso, and ultimately Orton after a Blunt Force Trauma by Knight

Randy Orton has something to say ahead of Royal Rumble, but so do AJ Styles and LA Knight

Eladio Carrión introduces Orton, who thanks him for the “RKO” video. The Viper is here to talk about The Bloodline, however, and specifically Roman Reigns holding his Universal title for almost 1,300 days. No one can stop The Bloodline … except maybe Randy.

Orton claims that the only number that will mean anything to anyone after Saturday night will be 15, the number of times he’s been world champion. How will he do it? The three most destructive letters in sports entertainment, naturally.

That boast brings out AJ Styles, who wants to remind Orton there are other people in that title match. Styles says he asked for a match with Solo Sikoa, and was ticked that Nick Aldis gave it to LA Knight instead.

Now he’s upset that Orton seems to have forgotten about him, and he says Randy should know better as they have history. He also promises a receipt coming for the RKO he got last week, and he’s about to talk about stepping over the other challengers when LA Knight’s music hits.

Let him talk to you. Knight mocks Styles for crying about people “stepping over me” and ponders why he’s the only one with a match tonight. Is it because Paul Heyman thinks he’s the biggest threat?

As he finishes his statement, Styles makes one of his own, hitting Orton with a Pele kick.


And new … The Kabuki Warriors take down Katana Chance and Kayden Carter to once again wear tag team gold

You figure the champs will want to start fast, which is exactly what Chance does while working against Asuka. She treats both challengers to some arm drags while talking smack, and she flies to the floor to take out both of them to boot.

As is often the case, the Kabuki Warriors have battled back during a commercial break, though Chance is able to lure Asuka into flying through the ropes to the floor. She also sends Kairi Sane out of the ring on the other side, but the delay allows Asuka to grab her briefly in an ankle lock.

Carter tags in and flies from the top rope to the floor to take out both challengers. She smashes Asuka with a boot to the face, followed by a springboard legdrop for two.

Double team offense by the Kabuki Warriors now has Carter in trouble, but Chance is able to make the save. Sane sees an opening for the Insane Elbow, but Carter gets both feet up to ward it off.

Asuka tags in but misses a sliding kick, and Carter treats her to a facebuster. Chance is finally back on the apron to tag in, but while the Keg Stand nails Asuka, Sane is quick enough to break up the pin at the last moment.

The champs aren’t as lucky. After a brief scramble takes chance out of the equation, Sane delivers the Insane Elbow, and the Kabuki Warriors are titleholders once more, celebrating with the rest of Damage CTRL.


Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits come face to face with The Final Testament, to their detriement

Not that he really needs to, but Lashley introduces himself and the Profits to the crowd. He says the people of Miami came to see a fight, so he tells The Final Testament to come on out “and come get some.”

That group obliges, complete with new t-shirts and black and white entrance effects. Lashley and the Profits are unimpressed that they send only Scarlett into the ring, but Paul Ellering says it’s not because of fear. Karrion Kross says when he looks at them, he sees desperation because things aren’t going according to plan, a feeling he understands.

Kross ticks off the fans by saying he won’t give them a fight tonight, but Lashley and the Profits try to bring it to them. Scarlett rakes Lashley’s eyes, allowing Kross to head into the ring to send Bobby into the post. The Authors of Pain make short work of the Profits too, leaving Lashley to try to fight one-on-three.

It goes poorly, with the Kross Hammer laying him out. The Final Testament wins this round, easily.


LA Knight, Solo Sikoa settle nothing as the main event descends into chaos

Again, Knight seems to have a good strategy in mind, as he goes right after Solo’s right hand. That’d be the one he uses to deliver the Samoan Spike.

After a commercial break, though, Sikoa is in control, pummeling the Megastar in one corner and still very much using that right hand. The announcers remind us that Jimmy Uso is lurking on the outside as well if need be.

A clothesline is answered by a bulldog from Knight, leaving both men on the canvas. He pours on shots with both hands, then hits a leaping lariat and a Russian leg sweep.

Over in the corner, the fans do the “yeah!” thing to stomp his foe into the corner. A DDT is next, then a swinging kick that forces Solo into the announce table. Sikoa’s head is bounced repeatedly off the table, much to the delight of the Miami crowd.

Alas, AJ Styles isn’t one of the people in the seats who’s enjoying this, and he hits a Phenomenal Forearm off the barricade. Uso grabs a steel chair, then lays it in front of AJ. But lest we think Styles is down with The Bloodline, he throws Uso into the ring.

Randy Orton quickly joins the fray as well, dropping Sikoa on the announce table before turning his attention back to the ring. Uso tries to flee but can’t escape the hanging DDT … nor can Styles. AJ also eats an RKO, leaving Orton the last man standing ahead of the Royal Rumble.

Or maybe not, as Knight returns and lays out Orton with Blunt Force Trauma just as the show is about to fade to black.

WWE SmackDown results 01/19/24: Roman Reigns signs but ends up eating an RKO

Things didn’t quite turn out the way Roman Reigns thought they would on WWE SmackDown in Atlanta.

Sure, Randy Orton looks great after being out for more than a year due to injury. But do we really need to make him work double duty tonight on WWE SmackDown?

Let’s back up just a step. Orton is part of the contract signing that should be a major part of tonight’s show from Atlanta. Not only will it require another appearance from Roman Reigns, but it also means all three of his challengers at Royal Rumble will be on hand: Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight.

If that sounds like something might go down with all four of them in the ring at once, you probably aren’t wrong. Yet on top of that, GM Nick Aldis announced today that Orton will be in action as well, and it won’t be a light day at the office since his opponent is The Bloodline’s enforcer, Solo Sikoa.

Now granted, none of the trio of challengers is a spring chicken, as all four of them are in their 40s (yes, even Knight). So it’s not even a matter of letting the youngest guy have to be in the match as well as the anticipated donnybrook, because there is no youngest guy.

Still, there’s no need to make Orton go so hard just eight days away from Royal Rumble. He’s out there RKOing people in music videos and stuff and we’re still asking him to be in two different segments on one SmackDown? Protect Randy at all costs!

Ahem. Anyway, this episode should be an eventful one with the Rumble so close at hand, so we’re looking forward to it. On with the show!

WWE SmackDown results from Atlanta:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Roman Reigns isn’t happy to see Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa since they didn’t fix things, so he’s there to make everything right again; but Sikoa also vows he’ll fix everything
  • The Fatal Four-Way contract signing is on, but without Roman Reigns, and AJ Styles and LA Knight end up fighting each other
  • Styles finds Aldis and demands a match with Knight tonight, and the GM says that’s fine with him
  •  Legado Del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto) def. The LWO (Carlito, Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde) by pinfall
  • Pretty Deadly feels good about facing Tyler Bate and Butch as they’ll be ready for their opponents tonight … but the way they’re emphasizing Butch’s name makes one think they’re about to be surprised
  • Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits tell The Final Testament they have their attention, and if they want a fight, just name the time and place
  • Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne def. Pretty Deadly by pinfall
  • Pretty Deadly seem unfamiliar with Pete Dunne and blame that for their loss
  • Logan Paul joins The KO Show, and it ends in violence
  • Reigns lays into Jimmy Uso, but Sikoa steps in-between them and takes the blame for what happened last week while promising to fix things tonight
  • Katana Chance and Kayden Carter def. The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) by pinfall to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, then have a brief in-ring confrontation with the Kabuki Warriors
  • The O.C. tells Styles that even with everything going on, they still have his back, but he says nothing and storms off
  • The Final Testament call Lashley and the Profits the yes men of the company while they are the disruptors
  • Carmelo Hayes talks about the spot that ended his match with Austin Theory, and Theory shows up acting angry; Melo challenges him to a rematch, and though Austin says he’s busy, Grayson Waller accepts on his behalf
  • AJ Styles vs. LA Knight ends in a no contest (we think) after interference from both Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa
  • Randy Orton def. Solo Sikoa by pinfall, but …
  • … after the bell, Orton, Knight and Styles end up in the ring together, where Randy gives both of the others an RKO; he turns and takes a Superman punch from Reigns, who laughs as all three of his challengers are now down on the mat before asking Aldis for the contract and signing it (and tossing it on the ground in front of the GM); but as Reigns rushes in to spear Orton, he’s caught with an RKO instead

As the contract signing breaks down, Randy Orton keeps his cool

GM Nick Aldis welcomes everyone to SmackDown and introduces the participants in the Fatal Four-Way contract signing, beginning with AJ Styles. He wastes no time signing emphatically on the dotted line.

LA Knight is next, followed by Randy Orton. Both of them quickly sign as well, so all we need now is the Tribal Chief. But it’s Paul Heyman who comes out instead, suggesting that Reigns isn’t going to sign a contract that neither he nor the lawyers have seen.

Aldis asks for clarification and says that’s fine, because if Roman won’t sign, it will just be a Triple Threat match for the vacant Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. A somewhat panicked Heyman says there’s no way Aldis will be able to sell that to the board of directors, the fans and the Tribal Chief, who Paul says should be defending the title in a singles match.

Knight has heard enough, saying that he should get Reigns one on one but is ready to shut Heyman up. Styles takes exception to Knight saying he should be the one at the front of the line, and the two of them end up throwing hands while Orton just calmly watches things break down.

A bunch of referees and officials pour from the back to separate Styles and Knight, not very successfully as they fight to the back. Alas, that leaves Heyman in the ring with Orton, who tells Paul his machinations aren’t going to work since he’s going to beat Solo Sikoa later tonight. And after that, he’s going to reintroduce Reigns to those three dangerous letters.


Logan Paul joins The KO Show, and it ends in violence

KO says he can’t even believe he’s saying this: Please welcome my guest, Logan Paul, to The Kevin Owens Show. Paul makes it clear he’s not honored to be there, and the show is only a thing because he’s on it.

Logan claims Kevin is the reason he’s in WWE. Roll the clip! It’s from WrestleMania 2021, where KO gave him a Stunner in front of the whole world. It was a driving force for Paul, but Owens says he was just one of many he stunned over the years — though he does give Logan credit for putting in the work and becoming way better than anyone ever would have thought.

Owens says Paul is nothing like them, but Logan laughs because he says he’s so much more than just a superstar. And KO, you’re just … you.

That brings a passionate reply from Owens, who says Paul has been especially protected and it’s a joke that he’s the United States Champion, one KO will end at Royal Rumble. Paul says it’s hypocritical for Owens to talk about anyone being protected when he has the cast on to use as a weapon, whereas Paul knocks people out clean.

After a few more words, and KO taking off his cast, Paul lays out Owens with a punch he doesn’t see coming, then turns in surprise to see KO pull himself up and go right back at him. Paul tries to flee but is caught by Owens, only to have Logan smash his right hand into the post.


Katana Chance and Kayden Carter take down The Unholy Union, but the Kabuki Warriors are lurking

Bayley joins the announcers for guest commentary while the rest of Damage CTRL leans back along the barricade right next to her. The champs weather an early storm and try to double team Dawn, but she ends up getting hurled down onto her partner and nearly pinned.

Fyre fares no better once she tags in, and soon takes the Keg Stand to end the match. No time to celebrate, though, as the Kabuki Warriors have the title belts and mock the champs as they hand them back.


AJ Styles and LA Knight run into a Solo problem

These two look like they can’t wait to get after it, and Styles is looking like he’s in control until Knight sends him sliding face first into the middle turnbuckle. Dueling chants are ringing out through the crowd.

Styles wins an exchange of shots in the corner, then kicks Knight while he’s down. A backbreaker gives AJ time to plan his next move, which ends up being choking Knight along the middle rope.

The Megastar battles back with a series of right hands, followed by a popup powerslam for a two count. Knight batters Styles into the corner but sees his foe slide out to the floor, where he executes a successful ambush.

Knight is whipped into the barricade but ends up getting bounced off it in return. That’s followed by getting his head bounced off the announce table, and the cheers turn to boos as Jimmy Uso comes down the ramp.

Uso’s mere presence allows Styles the time he needs to recover, but Solo Sikoa emerges from the timekeeper’s area and hits AJ with a Samoan Spike. The ref calls for the bell, but that doesn’t stop Solo from dragging Styles into the ring for another Samoan Spike.

Sikoa calls for a mic and says “two down, one to go,” calling Orton out now.


Randy Orton stops Solo Sikoa with an RKO

We’ll see if they actually fight to a finish or this is just Solo beating up the Viper until Roman Reigns arrives. Sikoa is all over Orton to start, smashing him in the corner and driving him into the announce table and the steel steps.

After a commercial break, Orton has turned the tables enough to hit his hanging DDT, and the fans love that. The Viper looks for an RKO, and while Jimmy Uso looks like he wants to interfere, he’s laid out by LA Knight and AJ Styles. Amidst the chaos, Orton hits Sikoa with an RKO and ends their match.


 

WWE SmackDown results 01/12/24: AJ, LA, RKO spell total defeat for The Bloodline

It was also a bad night for Bayley in Lincoln on WWE SmackDown.

The WWE SmackDown train is rolling into Lincoln, Neb. tonight for a show that will not feature the Tribal Chief.

That’s relevant because he was in the house last Friday, and boy did he and The Bloodline make a mess of things. So much, in fact, that GM Nick Aldis threw up his hands (metaphorically, as Aldis is way too cool under pressure to visibly panic) and declared that Roman Reigns would defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble against all three of the men gunning for him: AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton.

They will all be on SmackDown tonight, but we don’t know yet what they will be doing. Perhaps they’ll team in a six-man tag. Maybe they’ll all have their own singles matches. Or it could be they’ll all just appear in the ring together to trade barbs and engage in some light fisticuffs.

In the women’s division, on the other hand, we know there will be one big matchup as Bayley takes on Bianca Belair. This is big for Bayley, since her position as leader of Damage CTRL appears to be largely ceremonial a lot of times, and IYO SKY made it clear that the group believes she should take care of its Bianca problem.

That’s just way easier said than done, and if Bayley loses, it might not work out so well for her. On the other hand, there’s a lot of sentiment that it might be her year to win the Royal Rumble, something she’s never done, which would be one heck of a silver lining.

We’ll see tonight which way the fates are leaning for Bayley. SmackDown is off and running, so here we go.

WWE SmackDown results from Lincoln:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Before we get to the first match, SmackDown helpfully reviews what happened last week with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline interfering in the main event, with Nick Aldis telling Paul Heyman it was now a Fatal Four-Way at Royal Rumble; we also see Reigns telling Heyman to “fix this” after the show
  • Grayson Waller is supposed to face Cameron Grimes, but Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa attack Grimes on the ramp and head to the ring … causing Waller and Austin Theory to head for the hills
  • “We’re not the bad guys here” – Paul Heyman accuses Nick Aldis of screwing things up, but he has an idea to ensure The Bloodline won’t mess up tonight’s main event
  • A short video segment features Santos Escobar discussing replacing Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde with his new “familia,” Angel and Humberto
  • Uso is beside himself because no one will team up with them, but Heyman tells him not to worry and that he’ll find them someone; Solo, on the other hand, is not worried
  • Angel and Humberto def. The LWO (Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde) by pinfall; during the match Carlito pops out of the crowd and ambushes Escobar, who has joined the commentary desk
  • Carmelo Hayes is talking to Aldis when he is interrupted by Waller and Theory, and their chippy conversation ends up creating a match between Hayes and Theory for tonight
  • Heyman approaches The LWO backstage and asks if Carlito wants to team with The Bloodline, but he’s concentrating on Escobar (he does take Heyman’s apple, though)
  • A replay of KO’s one-shot knockdown of Logan Paul is shown from last week; afterward, a video promo has Paul talking about getting lawyers to get Owens’ cast banned
  • Butch and Tyler Bate have some coffee together, and it sounds like we’re close to getting Pete Dunne back
  • Bianca Belair def. Bayley by pinfall
  • Owens responds to Paul, scoffing at the idea that the cast is an advantage and asking if Logan will be a guest on The Kevin Owens Show next week
  • Dakota Kai tells Bayley that they didn’t help her because they didn’t want to cause a DQ, though she tries to encourage the Role Model that she can still win the Royal Rumble
  • Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits respond to Karrion Kross and AOP, who now are known by another name
  • Pretty Deadly offers their services to Heyman, but there’s only room for one more tag team partner and neither of them seems to want to do it alone
  • A hype video shows some Carmelo Hayes highlights for anyone unfamiliar with his game
  • Heyman approaches Lashley, who makes it clear he would only get in the ring with The Bloodline if he’s standing across the ring from Reigns
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory goes to a no contest, as a Spanish Fly leads to a hard landing for both men
  • Heyman has no partner for Uso and Sikoa but makes it sound like no one was worthy of the spot; Solo still isn’t worried, and Jimmy tries to tell himself he isn’t either
  • Sikoa and Uso attack Orton before all the entrances for the main event, trying to even the odds
  • AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton def. The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa) by pinfall, then add to their misery with more punishment as the show ends

Nick Aldis isn’t playing with The Bloodline

After interrupting the scheduled first match, Paul Heyman gives a passionate explanation of why GM Nick Aldis is the bad guy. Oh look, he’s standing right there on the apron.

Aldis reminds Heyman this isn’t a conversation between equals, and The Bloodline won’t be able to interrupt tonight’s main event because they are in it. Tonight, AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton will take on all three members of The Bloodline … including Roman Reigns.

A furious Heyman tells Aldis the Tribal Chief isn’t in Lincoln, which of course he knew. The GM says The Bloodline has until the main event to find a partner if they want — or it will be a handicap match.


Bianca Belair outduels Bayley with Damage CTRL watching closely

All of Damage CTRL comes out to support Bayley, and they’re all sticking around ringside to see the Role Model fend off a number of early pinning attempts. Her clothesline stops Belair in her tracks, though only for a second.

Bayley is able to lure Bianca into the ropes for some pain but quickly gets taken to the mat afterward. Belair leapfrogs Bayley and hits a back drop followed by a standing moonsault for a two count.

A sliding clothesline gets two right back for Bayley. Belair responds quickly with multiple slams, though she ends up tangled in the ropes again right in front of Damage CTRL. Bayley gets run into the post and falls to the floor, where Bianca hits her with a plancha that makes Bayley’s teammates scatter.

After commercials, Bayley has retaken the momentum, and her groupmates are urging her on. But no one gets a second wind like Bianca, who smashes her foe into the corner and peppers her with right hands. Bayley frees herself and hits a running knee, covering near the ropes for a two count.

Despite the referee telling her not to, Bayley ties Bianca’s braid to the bottom rope, but even then The EST manages to trip her into the turnbuckles. Belair unties herself and bends Bayley’s back painfully around the post, and now both wrestlers are slow and trying to gather themselves.

Bianca hoists Bayley onto her shoulders and tosses her back into the post, then returns to the ring for repeated shoulders to the midsection. A stalling vertical suplex is next, then more corner punches.

A backbreaker allows Bianca to cover, but it’s still only for two. As both women counter each other, Bayley finally is able to throw her opponent back into the corner … but she gets lured in and slammed down. Belair hits her rope bounce moonsault and still can’t get the three.

Bayey isn’t about to take the KOD, hurling Belair into the buckles again. The Role Model connects with a top rope elbow, and it’s another two. They battle out to the floor, where Damage CTRL doesn’t intervene.

That might be costly, as Belair hits a spear when the fight goes back in the ring. There’s the KOD, and this time Bayley isn’t kicking out.


Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits get a message from The Final Testament

Lashley speaks for himself and the Profits saying that when someone causes a problem for them, they roll up their sleeves and fight. So get out there now, he demands.

Instead, Paul Ellering appears and points at the big screen, where Karrion Kross and Scarlett say that Lashley and the Profits are “now at the top of the list to be deconstructed.” Together, Kross’ group is The Final Testament.


Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory comes to an abrupt end

Corey Graves muses that Hayes is where Theory once was, with plenty of NXT success under his belt but a need to figure out how things work on SmackDown. A nice dropkick lands and has Theory off guard early on, but he comes right back and drops Melo before taking the Fadeaway in return.

Hayes launches Theory out to the floor and is fired up as commercials arrive. We return to see Austin send Carmelo out in return, and he takes a moment to gloat before resuming his offense.

A counter gets Theory off Hayes’ back, and Melo follows with atomic drops and chops. A springboard clothesline leads to a facebuster, and Hayes covers for a near fall.

They fight over to the corner, where Theory surprises Hayes with a Spanish fly that doesn’t get the required height, and the match is called off as both men look like they landed hard on their heads/necks.


 AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton beat then beat up The Bloodline

Knight and Styles can’t even seem to agree on who will start the match, leaving Knight at the mercy of Uso for just a second until he turns the tables. A tag to Styles leads to some double team offense, so it seems they will cooperate when necessary.

The crowd chants for Styles until he yields control back to Knight to pound Uso down into a corner. A leg across the back of Jimmy’s neck along the ropes leads to a cover and a two count.

Styles scores his own quick near fall before Uso finally gets in some chops … and immediately runs into an AJ dropkick. Sikoa jumps in and tries to even the odds only to eat a barrage of alternating chops and punches. Sikoa is sent to the floor to the delight of the crowd before we fade out to commercials.

It may not surprise you to hear that Solo is controlling the action after the break, bashing Styles from corner to corner. Uso gets in some sneaky shots from the outside too, so it’s all coming up Milhouse … er, Bloodline, at the moment.

Styles finally puts Uso down on the mat, and the fans come to life hoping for a hot tag. Sikoa drags Knight off the apron to prevent it but gets thrown into the stairs for his trouble.

Back in the ring, Styles hits a Pele Kick but argues with Knight instead of making the tag. Uso superkicks Knight off the apron and then turns right into a double cross body with Styles that leaves both of them down.

By now, Sikoa has returned to the apron, but Randy Ortons music hits and he comes down the ramp. He’s in this now too, and Styles leaps to give him the hot tag.

The crowd comes roaring to its feet when he gets it, and Orton runs through some of his trademark offense. Uso foils an RKO attempt with a schoolboy for two, but that only delays the inevitable as a second RKO doesn’t miss and Jimmy is pinned.

After the bell, Styles halts Sikoa’s attempt to get some payback with a Phenomenal Forearm, and Knight piles on with the Blunt Force Trauma. And Orton adds another RKO for good measure before heading to the outside to attack Uso.

Orton uses the stairs on Uso, who is thrown into the timekeeper’s area by Knight. They clear the announce table and work as a trio to powerbomb Solo through it. That’s a definitive victory.

WWE SmackDown results 01/05/24: Roman Reigns earns himself a Fatal 4-Way

The Bloodline got some licks in but paid for it by the very end of WWE SmackDown in Vancouver.

We know that Roman Reigns is going to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble later this month. What we don’t know yet is who will be the challenger when that match takes place, but that’s something that tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown New Year’s Revolution in Vancouver is supposed to answer.

The candidates are all popular names. AJ Styles recently returned on a mission after The Bloodline put him (in storyline) out of action. Randy Orton was away much longer and has beef with Reigns’ group as well. And LA Knight has been fighting the good fight for some time, coming close to unseating the Head of the Table a few months ago.

All three of them will do battle in a Triple Threat match to determine who will stand across the ring from Reigns at Royal Rumble. Could there be hijinks? Well, considering that Reigns and The Bloodline are also slated for tonight’s show, there’s a decent chance, yes.

Guess who else needs a No. contender? Logan Paul, that’s who. He’ll also be in the house in Vancouver, and assuming he has swapped back with Patrick Mahomes, he’ll be defending his United States Championship against either Kevin Owens or Santos Escobar. We’ll see which one of them emerges with a chance to win some gold in Florida later this month, and Paul will almost certainly not pass up the chance to egg on whoever is the victor.

There’s other intriguing stuff on tap as well, including IYO SKY defending her title and the chance for some returns/debuts as well. Let’s get into it.

WWE SmackDown New Year’s Revolution results from Vancouver:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • The broadcast begins with highlights of The Rock appearing on this week’s Raw Day 1 episode, followed by Roman Reigns getting out of his ride and laughing, followed by Paul Heyman
  • Kevin Owens def. Santos Escobar by pinfall in the United States Championship Tournament Final, them smashes a mouthy Logan Paul with a right hand
  • A hype video shows why Randy Orton is in the position he is in going into tonight’s Triple Threat match
  • Paul is carrying an ice bag on his forehead when he’s stopped backstage, and while a concerned Austin Theory and Grayson Waller check on him, Cameron Grimes can only laugh at his fate
  • Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits are set to make 2024 their year, but they’ve got a new problem: Karrion Kross is back and has the Authors of Pain with him
  • Now it’s time for AJ styles to get his hype video
  • IYO SKY def. Michin by pinfall to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
  • Heyman says The Rock namedropped Roman Reigns because he wants to sit at the Head of the Table … but he hasn’t been nor will he be invited to a Dinner of Relevancy; Heyman also says he upgraded from the time he was CM Punk’s friend before he promises whoever wins tonight will be smashed by Reigns
  • Bayley and the rest of Damage CTRL celebrate SKY’s victory and says Kabuki Warriors will win the tag team titles, but Bianca Belair stops by to congratulate SKY and announce that she’s entering the Royal Rumble and can’t wait to KOD Bayley over the top rope
  • Butch and Tyler Bate def. Pretty Deadly by pinfall
  • Yes, LA Knight gets a hype video for tonight too
  • Ashante Thee Adonis tells Nick Aldis he is starving for an opportunity, and the GM says he has some ideas he thinks will be very interesting to him
  • AJ Styles vs. LA Knight vs. Randy Orton

Kevin Owens wins a shot at the U.S. title, gets in a shot on Logan Paul

Lest you think Logan Paul wasn’t going to watch this closely, he comes down to join the announcers. Escobar also sees his new running buddies Humberto and Angel attacked by Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde, so he has no help when KO nearly pins him just seconds after the opening bell.

Owens is still in command after commercials, but Escobar turns things around by concentrating on KO’s damaged right hand. Paul, as usual, is unimpressed with both combatants.

There’s a tope suicida by Escobar to knock Owens back into the barricade. The obviously pro-Owens crowd starts a “Logan sucks” chant.

The battle goes to the top rope, where Escobar leaps right into an inverted atomic drop of sorts, followed by a DDT. Now it’s Owens trying to fly, but Escobar joins him up top. KO reverses a superplex attempt and slams his foe to the mat but holds his right hand as another ad break arrives.

Owens shows no fear of coming off the apron to smash Escobar on the floor, then tries a Swanton Bomb back into the ring only to catch nothing but knees. Escobar hits a Frankensteiner off the top rope and ascends again for a frog splash. It’s not enough to get the three.

Egged on by the crowd, Paul expressed some grudging respect for Owens’ wrestling ability, and he proves why with a rolling senton off the second rope. Escobar kicks out at two as the U.S. champ laughs.

A superkick by Owens leads to a Popup Powerbomb attempt, and while the first one is countered, his second try is not. There’s a Stunner with Escobar rushing out of the corner, and that’s sufficient to win it.

After the bell, Paul grabs the mic to mock the idea of a Canadian holding the United States Championship. Owens hits him with a right hand, however, laying him out with one shot.


Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits have a problem called Karrion Kross … and the Authors of Pain

Lashley calls 2023 the toughest year of his career from a professional standpoint but says his highlight was linking up with the Street Profits. They plan on taking “everything that we deserve” in 2024.

Montez Ford says they’re going to hop on the trend but fast forward the part where they think the grass is greener on the other side. Angelo Dawkins puts The Judgment Day on notice in terms of the tag team titles, while Lashley says his goal it to get back to being the All Mighty.

To that end, he declares himself an entrant in the 2024 Royal Rumble match. That announcement brings a new video to the big screen and brings out Karrion Kross, Scarlett … and Paul Ellering.

The Authors of Pain are back, and they absolutely destroy the Profits before Kross takes out Lashley.


IYO SKY pushed but triumphs over Michin

The announcers say Michin claims she’s been so focused on “helping the boys” that she hasn’t had much time to focus on herself. SKY is tackling this title defense alone, smiling as Michin is able to match her move for move early on.

A double stomp has the champ feeling some swagger, but Michin lures her into flying to the floor and then connects on a tope suicida. After commercials, Michin lands a wicked knee shot and a cannonball in the corner, but the champ kicks out at two.

Double knees in the corner have SKY looking rocked, but she’s able to kick out at two again. Michin cinches in a half crab, though SKY is close to the ropes and can force a break.

SKY wants to springboard in from the apron but is met by a right hand. But it’s IYO who is able to deliver a German suplex on the apron, bringing cheers from the fans.

The champ wants the Over the Moonsault but hits knees and is thrown backward by a dragon suplex that earns Michin another near fall. SKY squirts free from trouble and hits double knees to the face for her own near fall.

They both head toward the corner, where SKY is knocked down … but only for a second. Michin catches her, however, and executes a Styles Clash from the middle rope that would win it if SKY wasn’t able to grab the ropes.

Alas, the champ is able to bounce back quickly, as that’s why she’s the champ — and it doesn’t hurt that Michin splats on the floor trying for a dive to the outside. An Over the Moonsault wins it for SKY, but props to Michin for that battle.


AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton all win thanks to The Bloodline’s main event invasion

The announce team reminds us that all three men have their own issues with The Bloodline, and thus will all be equally motivated. Styles has the aerial advantage, Orton the experience edge, but Knight is probably the hottest of the trio right this second. The crowd certainly loves it when he’s bouncing the heads of his foes off the announce table, though Orton suplexes him onto it before doing the same to Styles.

Styles is eventually able to give the Viper a taste of his own medicine, briefly leaving everyone down. Orton is the first to emerge with a big move, hitting his hanging DDT on Styles. Knight drags Orton out of the ring and sends him into the steps, but Styles wipes him out with an aerial assault right after that, sending us to commercials.

Styles is still in command on the other side, burying his knee in Knight’s midsection. A belly to back suplex is next and leads to a near fall for AJ.

Orton is treated to a taste of the steps, and Styles returns to the ring only to find Knight counter his sunset flip attempt for a two count. Knight and Orton both get their shots in on Styles, who eventually is beaten down into the corner.

The same thing looks like it’ll happen to Orton, but he takes a Russian leg sweep instead. A hip attack smashes Styles, as well as a big back body drop. Orton has rallied for several clotheslines, though, and his snap powerslam has him feeling good, especially after he dishes out one to Styles too.

Suddenly, Knight hits Orton with Blunt Force Trauma, and Styles has to physically stop the ref from counting to three. Knight and Styles trade right hands, with AJ finally pulling out a Pele Kick to end the stalemate.

Styles casually hits a springboard 450 on Knight, but LA manages to kick out at two. Orton is repulsed by Styles as well, but he’s able to counter the Phenomenal Forearm with an RKO. That looks like the end … until Knight pulls the referee out of the ring.

And just like that, here comes The Bloodline: Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Reigns motions for Solo to hit the ring, and all three of them are beating the hell out of the actual competitors.

The steel steps are used as a weapon, and Uso clears off the announce table. Reigns hits a hellacious powerbomb on Styles, then a Superman punch on a now bloodied Knight, followed by a spear.

Orton is rolled into the ring next to receive a Samoan Spike/spear combo. Nick Aldis wants to talk to Paul Heyman, and he tells the Wise Man he can congratulate Reigns — because he earned himself a Fatal 4-Way at Royal Rumble.

WWE SmackDown preview 01/05/24: Roman Reigns to learn who he’ll face next

The New Year’s Revolution edition of WWE SmackDown will also have IYO SKY defend her title against Michin.

It’s the first WWE SmackDown of the new year, and it’s got a New Year’s Revolution theme (with, as some have pointed out, a horrible logo, but hey). That means it should be a loaded show tonight, and it begins with the Tribal Chief.

Who will become the No. 1 contender for Roman Reigns?

It seems like everyone wants a piece of the Tribal Chief. Certainly, AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton all have valid claims. But as the “Highlander” films used to remind us, there can be only one, and a Triple Threat match will decide which one of them gets his wish and takes on Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble.

Yet Reigns will also be in the house in Vancouver tonight, and since there are no DQs in a Triple Threat match, you can’t help but wonder if he or other members of The Bloodline could try to, um, influence the outcome. It’s something to watch for on SmackDown for sure.

Logan Paul will learn his next challenger as well

Logan Paul is in somewhat of the same boat as Reigns, except that there’s been a whole tournament to decide who his next challenger will be. He’s scoffed at all of the entrants, but now it’s down to just two: Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar.

To keep the heel-face dynamic correct, KO seems like the horse to back here, but you never know. We’ll see who leaves Vancouver with a title match at Royal Rumble.

Can IYO SKY keep flying into the new year?

It was a good 2023 for IYO SKY, who not only became WWE Women’s Champion at SummerSlam but was able to crystalize a larger, more dangerous version of Damage CTRL around her as the year went on. Technically, Bayley is still the leader, but we know who really makes the group go.

Tonight on SmackDown, SKY will get her first title challenge of 2024 in the form of Michin. You’d expect the champ to emerge victorious, but perhaps New Year’s Revolution will have a surprise in store for us.


Also on tap for tonight’s New Year’s Revolution edition of SmackDown:

  • Butch needs to find a partner to take on Pretty Deadly

We’re gearing up to recap all the action tonight on FOX, so be sure to hop back to Wrestling Junkie tonight at 8 p.m. ET if you can’t watch the show live.