WWE SmackDown airs live tonight from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Roman Reigns returned and there were two title matches on tonight’s show.
WWE SmackDown Results
- Damage CTRL def. Liv Morgan & Tegan Nox to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championships
- Gunther def. Ricochet to retain the Intercontinental Championship
- Hit Row def. Legado Del Fantasma, Viking Raiders in a Triple Threat Tag Team match
Here are the takeaways from this week’s episode of SmacDown:
Xia Li Helped Damage CTRL Retain
Damage CTRL (IYO SKY and Dakota Kai) defended the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox to begin the show. Bayley was ringside for the match. Liv hit IYO with a Dropkick and taunted Dakota Kai. Liv grabbed a kendo stick from under the ring and started chasing Dakota around.
Tegan broke it up and tried to remind Liv that they can’t win the titles via DQ. Morgan and Nox sent Damage CTRL out of the ring. Tegan hit a Crossbody off the top turnbuckle as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Liv hit Dakota with a Dropkick and went after Iyo on the ring apron. Dakota caught Liv with a running kick and Iyo followed it up with a Powerbomb. Tegan broke up the cover but Kai hit her with a Pele Kick. Morgan hit Iyo with a DDT and Nox followed it up with a Shining Wizard but Kai broke up the cover at two.
Liv Morgan hit an awesome Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ring apron but turned around into a Dropkick from IYO SKY. Nox hit a SKY with a Senton but IYO responded with a headbutt to knock Tegan out of the ring. Bayley attempted to interfere but Nox sent her over the barricade. A masked person hit Nox and Iyo followed it up with a Moonsault for the pinfall victory. It was revealed in a WWE Digital Exclusive that the masked person was Xia Li.
Sami Zayn is Ready for His Big Night
Sami Zayn said he needs a couple of minutes to get ready for the big night tonight. Jey Uso said to Jimmy that Roman Reigns will be making Sami a full-blown Uce tonight. Jimmy didn’t seem so sure and wondered if Jey had even talked to Roman yet. Jey avoided the question and simply said tonight is going to be good.
Uncle Howdy Appeared
LA Knight came to the ring and called out Bray Wyatt. Knight said Bray is a former WWE Champion his recent return is one of the most talked about ever. LA mocked Wyatt for doing nothing since his return and challenged him to come to the ring so he can stomp him out.
Bray Wyatt made his way to the entrance ramp and said he was sick of LA Knight. He added that he is sick of this game they keep playing and once again denied that he attacked him. Wyatt added that they both know how this story ends. LA attacked Bray and stomped him down to the canvas in the corner of the ring.
Uncle Howdy appeared on the screen and said “little pig, what have you done? You want to see something really scary?” and disappeared from the screen. Knight kicked Wyatt again and noises started playing. Uncle Howdy appeared on the entrance ramp and laughed as LA Knight retreated to end the segment.
Gunther Retained the IC Title
Gunther defended the Intercontinental Championship against Ricochet tonight on SmackDown. The Ring General went for a Clothesline to start off the match but Ricochet was able to dodge it. Gunther took Ricochet down and unloaded several punches. The champ went for a submission hold but Ricochet escaped to the ropes.
The Ring General went for a chop but Ricochet dodged it. Ricochet applied a Headlock but Gunther quickly escaped. Ricochet stayed on the attack and beat the champ down against the turnbuckle as SmackDown went to a break.
When SmackDown returned, Ricochet was in control and hit a Shooting Star Press off the top rope but couldn’t keep Gunther down for three. The Ring General battled back and hit a Powerbomb but somehow Ricochet kicked out at two. Gunther followed it up with a Powersla for the pinfall victory and retained the Intercontinental Championship.
After the match, Imperium surrounded Ricochet and set up for an attack but Braun Strowman made the save. Braun raised Ricochet’s hand and fired up the crowd.
Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn Tag Team Match Announced for Dec. 30th
Jimmy Uso talked to Roman Reigns backstage and said if he doesn’t want to make Sami an Uso tonight he understands because of his past with Kevin Owens. Jimmy added that Sami is his dog though but he loves the family. Roman then told Paul Heyman to bring him WWE Official Adam Pearce as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Roman said he wanted to team up with Sami Zayn against Kevin Owens on a partner of his choosing. Heyman suggested December 30th as the date for the match. Solo Sikoa got in Pearce’s face and he exited the room.
Hit Row Earned A Title Shot
Hit Row, Viking Raiders, and Legado Del Fantasma battled in a Triple Threat tag team match. Cruz Del Toro and hit Top Dolla with a flip off the top rope for a near fall. Erik hit Del Toro with a German Suplex and everyone brawled out of the ring.
Top Dolla botched a dive over the top rope in embarrassing fashion, but Hit Row somehow still emerged with a pinfall victory. It was announced The Usos will defend against Hit Row next week. Top Dolla appeared to be in pain after the botch, and next week’s episode of SmackDown is being taped later tonight so it will be interesting to see if he wrestles later.
Gauntlet Match Set for Next Week
Emma, Raquel Rodriguez, Tegan Nox, Sonya Deville, and Xia Li will compete in a Gauntlet Match next week. The winner will earn a shot at Ronda Rousey’s SmackDown Women’s Championship. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler attacked Raquel in the trainers room this week.
John Cena Will Be Kevin Owens’ Partner on the Final SmackDown of the Year
The Bloodline made their way to the ring at the end of this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Roman Reigns asked the crowd to acknowledge him before bragging about The Bloodline dominating WarGames.
Reigns said tonight was going to be a good night for Sami Zayn but they have a Kevin Owens problem. John Cena interrupted on the jumboton and said he got a text from Kevin Owens tonight and will be his partner on the final edition of SmackDown on December 30th. Cena announced that he will be Owens’ partner on the final SmackDown of the year.
