WWE SmackDown airs live tonight from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. It is the first episode of SmackDown following WWE Survivor Series WarGames this past Saturday night. In addition to the takeaways below, it appears Lacey Evans is getting another character reset on SmackDown.
SmackDown Results (12/2)
- Sami Zayn def. Sheamus
- Shayna Baszler def. Emma
- Gunther def. Kofi Kingston
- Ricochet def. Santos Escobar to win the SmackDown World Cup
Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:
The Usos Helped Sami Zayn Defeat Sheamus
The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn kicked off the week’s show. Jimmy noted that the crowd was chanting “Sami Uso!” at Survivor Series and the Buffalo crowd started it up again.
Jey noted that he has doubted Sami for a long time but he earned his respect and credited Zayn for The Bloodline winning the Men’s WarGames match. Jimmy asked Sami he was feeling and Sami said he’s feeling pretty freaking Ucey. Sami did a special handshake with both of The Usos before The Brawling Brutes interrupted.
Sheamus said he hates to beat up a fellow ginger and shouted that it is fight night! The Celtic Warrior dominated the match early and sent Sami into the barricade as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Sami hit a Tornado DDT for a near fall. Sheamus caught him with a knee strike and brought Sami up the 2nd turnbuckle. Zayn escaped and hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the middle turnbuckle for a near fall.
The crowd chanted “Sami!” as both superstars got up. Sheamus set up for the Brogue Kick but Sami rolled to the apron. Sheamus delivered 20 Beats of the Bodhran and posed in the ring. The Celtic Warrior geared up for the Brogue Kick once again but Jimmy Uso provided a distraction. Jimmy hit a cheap shot and Sami capitalized with a Blue Thunder Bomb but Sheamus kicked out at two.
Ridge and Butch Holland battled with The Usos outside the ring. Solo Sikoa joined the party and planted Butch with a Spinning Solo on the barricade. Solo booted Ridge in the face as Sheamus hit a knee strike. Jimmy distracted the referee and Jey Uso hit Sheamus with a Superkick. Sami capitalized with a roll-up for the pinfall victory.
Bray Wyatt Claims He Didn’t Hurt LA Knight, Kofi Kingston Will be in Royal Rumble
Kofi Kingston announced he is going to be in the Royal Rumble match.
Bray Wyatt cut a backstage promo and said that we are just wild animals. Wyatt noted that animals eat each other to stay alive and we have the same instincts. Bray claimed that he is not the one that hurt LA Knight.
Shayna Baszler def. Emma
Shayna Baszler battled Emma tonight. Before the match, Madcap Moss approached Emma backstage and flirted with her. She gave him a smooch on the cheek before heading to the ring. Shayna dominated the match early but Emma battled back. Shayna eventually locked in the Kirifuda Clutch for the submission victory.
After the match, Shayna went to beat Emma down some more but Shotzi made the save. Baszler delivered a knee to the face and knocked Shotzi to the canvas. Raquel Rodriguez ran to the ring and Shayna retreated.
Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston
Intercontinental Champion Gunther battled Kofi Kingston in a non-title match tonight. The champion controlled the action early but Kingston caught him with an Enziguri. Ludwig tripped up Kofi while the referee was distracted.
Braun Strowman marched down the entrance ramp and chased Ludwig around the ring. Strowman caught Vinci in midair and smashed him into the ring post. Strowman launched Imperium over the barricade as Kofi hit Gunther with the SOS for a near fall as SmackDown went to a commercial break.
When SmackDown returned, Kofi connected with a Splash and went for the cover but Gunther kicked out at two. Gunther responded with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Gunther connected with his new finisher (?) for the pinfall victory.
Sheamus Attacked The Usos
The Usos were having a conversation backstage about Sami Zayn’s lie. Jey said Roman looked in his eyes and saw what he needed to see and Sami saved the day at WarGames. Sheamus showed up with the shilleliagh and beat them down. The Celtic Warrior added that he and Drew will be waiting for them.
Tegan Nox Returned
Bayley, IYO SKY, and Dakota Kai came to the ring for a promo. Bayley noted that the three of them combined were in the WarGames match for 95 minutes. The Role Model called the crowd idiots for cheering Becky Lynch even though she was only in the WarGames match for a cup of coffee. Bayley boasted about being the longest-reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion in history before Liv Morgan interrupted.
Liv Morgan said it seems like Bayley has a problem with the SmackDown women’s division and rushed the ring on her own. Damage CTRL beat Liv down but Morgan battled back. Liv tackled Bayley and got in some punches before Damage CTRL beat her down.
Tegan Nox returned to WWE and made the save. Liv hit Damage CTRL with a kendo stick and Tegan connected with a Shining Wizard to end the segment.
Karrion Kross Warned Rey Mysterio, Uncle Howdy
Karrion Kross warned Rey Mysterio in a vignette with Scarlett. Karrion boasted about his attack on Madcap Moss recently.
Uncle Howdy appeared in a video and showed clips of Bray in the past. Uncle Howdy once again claimed Bray was lying and said “revel in what you are”.
Ricochet Won the SmackDown World Cup
Ricochet battled Santos Escobar in the finals of the SmackDown World Cup. Before the match, The Usos versus Elias & Matt Riddle for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships was announced for next week’s RAW. The winner of that match will defend the titles against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus on next week’s SmackDown. Kurt Angle will also appear on next week’s SmackDown to celebrate his 54th birthday.
Santos Escobar controlled the action early as Zelina Vega kept interfering. The referee kicked Zelina and Legado Del Fantasma out from the ringside area. Ricochet battled back and hit a Shooting Star Press onto Santos off the ring apron as SmackDown went to the final commercial break of the night.
When SmackDown returned, Santos and Ricochet battled on top of the barricade. Escobar sent him to the floor with a Hurricanrana as the crowd cheered. Escobar rolled Ricochet into the ring and went for the cover but he somehow kicked out at two and the match continued.
Santos and Ricochet battled to the top rope. Ricochet knocked Escobar to the canvas and set up for the 450 but Santos rolled out of the way. Escobar went for another Hurricanrana but Ricochet incredibly landed on his feet. Santos hit a Northern Lights Suplex but Ricochet responded with a Brainbuster.
Ricochet connected with an awesome springboard Moonsault and went for the cover but Escobar kicked out at two. Ricochet hit a reverse Hurricanrana and followed it up with a 630 Splash for the pinfall victory. He will now face Gunther once again for the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther and Ricochet had a stare down on the entrance ramp to close the show.