SMACKDOWN 1/12/24 REVIEW

Smackdown rolls right into the action tonight with its first match-up and a video package of the triple threat match from last week’s episode which saw The Bloodline interfere in the number one contender’s match allowing Roman Reigns a fatal four-way defense at The Royal Rumble. 

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Match 1 

Cameron Grimes vs. Grayson Waller 

This match-up never had the chance to get started as The Bloodline struck hard and fast to start Smackdown with Cameron Grimes bearing the fury of The Tribal Chief's anger. 

Winner: None 

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The Bloodline hit Cameron Grimes from behind and beat him until WWE officials and management including Smackdown GM showed up to pull them off. They slowly made their way to the ring where The Wiseman was waiting as well as Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, who quickly made their exit as The Bloodline entered the ring. 

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Paul Heyman told the crowd to direct their jeers elsewhere, claiming they weren't the bad guys and that the bad guy was the villainous James Bond wannabe, Nick Aldis. He says Nick Aldis is the bad guy because he put Roman Reigns in the fatal fourway, where it was almost guaranteed that Roman Reigns would drop the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World. As Paul Heyman is declaring that Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, Roman Reigns, nor the Wiseman were the bad guys but it was Aldis,  Nick Aldis was standing on the apron. Before Paul could say anything else, Nick snatched the mic from Paul Heyman who had a look of, "What the hell just happened?" smeared on his face.

 

Nick started off by letting Paul Heyman know that this conversation wasn't a conversation between equals. The Smackdown GM pulled no punches declaring the fatal fourway is a done deal for The Royal Rumble. He said The Bloodline has ruined matches the past two weeks but it won't happen again. He says that The Bloodline can't ruin the Main Event tonight because they are in the Main Event and will face AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton. He says all three members of The Bloodline will be in the Main Event to include Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman attempts to snatch the mic from Nick Aldis but he won’t let the mic go. Paul was telling Nick to let it go but he continued to hold on to it and made Paul Heyman speak into the mic while he held it. 

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Paul speaking into the mic still be held by the Smackdown GM, states that you know as well as I know that Roman Reigns isn't in Lincoln, NE tonight.  Nick Aldis feigned disbelief that the Tribal Chief wasn't there, "Ah, you're right, it seems once again Roman Reigns has started something that it seems he doesn't want to finish." Nick gives the Bloodline till the Main Event to find a partner or it will be a three on two handicapped match. Nick Aldis capped off the Bloodline showdown with a Good Luck, Mr. Heyman. 

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Backstage Segment 

Backstage Jimmy Uso is having a melt down in the locker room about finding a partner to tag with them in the Main Event. Jimmy declares, "Ain't nobody gonna tag with us Uce." 

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Paul mentions not being able to get ahold of The Tribal Chief but he will. He says there is a whole locker room full of people who have been kissing his tuchus to get into the Bloodline. Paul tells them to not worry, he'll find somebody. 

Jimmy yells back, "I'm worried"! Jimmy turns to Solo and asked, "Are you worried"? Solo, always stoic, "I never worry".

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Match 2 

Los Lotharios (Humberto Carrillo/Angel Garza) w/ Santos Escobar vs. Latino World Order (LWO mbrs Joaquin Wilde/Cruz del Toro) 

This was a good Lucha Libre tag team match and Los Lotharios were dominant throughout the match. Los Lotharios w/ Santos Escobar have been on a hot streak as of late and Santos mentoring them. The mid way point in this match saw del Toro pull a corkscrew onto Humberto just before Carlito's music hit. Santos knew Carlito was coming for him and stood up and to get ready for Carlito who jumped the guardrail from behind him and the fight was on between Santos and Carlito on the outside. Carlito threw Santos into the guardrail before throwing him over it into the WWE universe and fighting through the crowd. The distraction was enough for Joaquin Wilde to go for a pinning move on Angel who reversed and held the rope for the roll-up victory. 

Winner: Los Lotharios 

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Backstage Segment 

Nick Aldis is talking to Carmello Hayes in the GM office and giving high praise to Carmello, who had a good showing in the U.S. Championship tournament. Before Nick and Carmello could get further into their discussion Grayson Waller and Austin Theory busted in and asked, "What kind of show are you running here?". Nick scolded Grayson and Austin cause he was in the middle of something and that let to Grayson asking Carmello if he was back for more of the Grayson Waller rub. Carmello quickly reminds Grayson that he had beat him many times and that led to a Austin Theory coughing, "Fluke" joke and Austin telling Carmello, "You're not on his level". Carmello says they can run it back but Grayson quickly avoids a match claiming he just wrestled but his boy, Austin would gladly humble him. Carmello accepts and Nick Aldis quickly approves.

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After a quick commercial break, we see the LWO walking in the back when Paul Heyman approaches with a apple for Carlito and asked Carlito to team with the Bloodline. Carlito says he's looking for a fight but the only fight he wants is with Santos Escobar and the LWO members walk off. Carlito quickly returned and took the apple from Paul Heyman, "Oh yea, Thank you." and is just as quickly gone again. Paul Heyman once again looked lost and confused and screamed the apple and a yes are a package deal. 

During a Progressive Match Flo, the WWE replays the Kevin Owens and Santos Escobar match for the finals in the U.S. Championship tournament that saw Kevin Owens winning. After that match, Logan Paul got in the ring with KO and started smack talking the prize fighter who didn't want to hear it and knocked Logan Paul out with the cast. After the Match Flo, we got a promo from Logan talking about his lawyers suing KO and that KO's cast is a liability in their match at the Royal Rumble. Logan goes on to say that KO was a cheater and if he shows up to the Rumble with his cast on his chance at glory was cancelled. 

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After the Bianca walk-out, WWE cuts to Butch and Tyler Bate having coffee. Tyler tells Butch, thank you for calling me cause I know you were going through a rough time. Butch tells him thank you and that he could have a tag team match without a tag team partner. Tyler alludes that Butch is lost and trying to find his identity. Tyler says, "I can help you." but Butch told him to shut up. Tyler is pitching ideas to Butch and Butch says, "Don't make me regret giving you that call". Butch says it was fun kicking Pretty Deadly's head in but that it was a one and done and now its in the past. Butch also says that the Brawling Brutes are in the past and now that Tyler Bate was on Smackdown he should focus on that,while Butch did the same. Tyler says they could show the world what British Strong Style was about. Tyler told Butch to look inward and ask himself, "What is that name going to be?". Could this be the return of Pete Dunne?

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Match 3 

Bianca Belair vs. Bayley 

Right in the middle of the card but this was a Main Event caliber match and these superstars brought the heat to Nebraska. This was a great back and forth match up that surprisingly didn't see Damage Ctrl interfere despite Bayley providing plenty of opportunities for them to and even asked them to at one point. Bayley the wiley veteran and heel she is at one point in the match had Bianca's braid tied to the bottom rope but Bianca becoming the crafty veteran turned her own braid into a trip wire causing Bayley to trip and eat the turnbuckle. Bayley took full advantage of Bianca's braid and tossed her into the corner and dragged Bianca to the middle of the ring and hit a big homage to Macho Man with the big top rope elbow drop. In the closing moments, Bayley tossed Bianca outside the ring and faked a knee injury so Damage Ctrl could do their thing but they didn't touch her again. The referee once again warned Damage Ctrl and Bayley slid outside to get Bianca into the ring. Once back inside the ring Binca went for a quick roll up but Bayley kicked out at two. Both superstars are on their feet and off the ropes and Bianca lands a big spear to stop the momentum of Bayley and quickly finished Bayley off with the KOD. 

Winner: Bianca Belair  

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After the Bianca victory, WWE cut to Kevin Owens giving his response to Logan Paul's earlier promo. KO says he gets it and see what Logan is trying to do. KO says if the cast is advantage for anybody then its Logan because KO has a broken hand. KO then says they can talk about the lawsuit and anything else face to face next week as KO give Logan the highlight of his career by being a guest on the KO Show.

Back from a commercial break, Iyo Sky is talking to the other members of Damage Ctrl minus Bayley. Bayley comes along and Dakota Kai pulls her to the side and says they couldn't do anything because the referee was watching them closely and they thought Bayley was good to face Bianca on her own without the interference. Dakota mentions the plan for Damage Ctrl to hold all the gold in the womens division and in order to do that Bayley had to win the Rumble and the way to do that was on her own. Dakota Kai and the rest of Damage Ctrl walk off and leave Bayley with her thoughts. 

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After the Damage Ctrl segment, a very pissed off All Mighty and Street Profits made their way out to the ring to discuss last week's mugging by Karrion Kross and the AOP. Bobby Lashley talks about if they have a problem they settle them face to face and don't take the cowardice approach or lurk in the darkness or hide in the shadows and if Karrion Kross and AOP have a problem they can settle them right here tonight. 

The lights go dark and Paul Ellering comes out looking like the uncle who knows where Hoffa is buried and points to the screen where a vignette plays of Karrion Kross and the AOP. The video plays and its Karrion Kross and Scarlett discussing his purpose or testament for the last several years has been to show the world just how corrupt they really are by breaking them on the inside but now they are going to break them on the outside. He says Bobby and the Street Profits are now on the top of the list to be deconstructed. He says who better to usher in the dawn of a new era than two of the most dangerous men the world has ever known, the AOP and lest we not forget the most sadistic and inhumane person this world has ever had the displeasure of knowing, Paul Ellering. Finally declaring, "We are The Final Testament", and the screen flashes, The End is Near. 

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This leaves Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits in the ring looking disappointed they aren't getting the fight they were looking for. WWE cuts to the back and Paul Heyman is looking down and in the dump since he hasn't found a partner for Jimmy and Solo tonight.

 

In comes Pretty Deadly to save the day? Pretty Deadly opens the conversation by addressing Paul Heyman as Lord Heyman and my leige and for some weird reason, that works for me and fits coming from Pretty Deadly. They tell Paul, aka Lord Heyman, that they think they'll make a perfect team and ask Paul his thoughts. 

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Paul quickly reminds them that he is only looking for one person to team with Jimmy and Solo to take on AJ Styles, LA Knight and Randy Orton. As Paul says each name, Pretty Deadly seemingly backs away a little after each name and he once again says he is only looking for one. Elton reminds Kitt that Kitt had something on and they bid adieu to the Wiseman. This again left the Wiseman down in the dump. 

After a commercial break, Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits are walking in the back when Bobby Lashley is approached by Paul Heyman. Paul Heyman offers Bobby Lashley a chance to tag with the Bloodline and throws in the fact that they have been friends for years. Bobby quickly buries the notion and said the only time he wants to be in the ring with the Bloodline is standing across from Roman Reigns and walks off. 

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Match 4 

Carmello Hayes vs. Austin Theory 

This is a match up of two future WWE champions and they didn't disappoint. Carmello showed why he is him and pulled some great offense that included a middle rope seated springboard DDT to Austin Theory who was outside the ring. However, Austin Theory, not to be outdone, showed his strength and caught Carmello as he came in for the "First 48" and put him on the top rope. Austin then attempted a top rope springboard Spanish Fly but they landed head to head on the mat leading to a match stoppage. 

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I hate to see a match stoppage but I appreciate the WWE looking after their superstars and ending matches even on live TV to put the health and well-being of superstars first and foremost. After WWE went off air a report was put out that both superstars were alright but I'm guessing they'll be under concussion protocol and cleared by the WWE Medical staff to return. 

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WWE cut to the back with the Bloodline and Paul Heyman and Jimmy was excited and asked who he got to tag with them. Paul Heyman said he interviewed the entire locker room and there wasn't one person worthy to stand beside the Bloodline. Paul Heyman says no more auditions and no more tryout for the Bloodline and that he isn't worried about Jimmy and Solo. Jimmy quickly replies, "OG, I'm worried"! Solo looks at Jimmy and says, "I'm Not." and walks off. Jimmy proudly exclaims, "If Solo ain't worried, than I'm not worried, No Yeet". 

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Main Event 

AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton vs. The Bloodline and Mystery Partner 

Randy Orton is making his way to the ring when Jimmy and Solo hit him from behind and deliver a super kick and a Samoan Spike taking Randy Orton out of the Main Event making it a two on two match-up. Jimmy starts the match fast while LA and AJ are arguing about who is going to start the match. Surprisingly, LA and AJ seem to be getting on the same page as the match progressed and we saw some good double team action from the two superstars. That didn't last long as the Bloodline cut AJ Styles off from his corner and just before AJ got free to make a tag LA jumped down from the ring to take care of Solo who was about to pull him off the apron.

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This caused AJ to miss an opportunity to make a tag to LA. Jimmy takes advantage of the situation and AJ attempts to make a comeback and dunks out of the way from a superkick that hits LA who was asking for the tag but AJ was mad because he wasn't there to get the tag earlier. AJ lands a Pele kick to Jimmy and both men are currently down with LA and Solo both down outside the ring. With AJ and Jimmy both recovered they are looking for tags when Randy Orton music hits and makes his way to his tag team partners. AJ makes the tag to Randy who goes on a Viper tear and snaps power slams Jimmy who quickly exits the ring only to be brought back in with a hanging DDT by Orton. Randy goes for a RKO but Jimmy turns it into a roll-up for a quick two count. Both men back up and Jimmy lands a glancing superkick to Randy who shrugs it off and hits a RKO for the win. 

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After the match Solo attacks Randy from behind and we see Styles deliver a Phenomenal Forearm to Solo followed by a BFT from LA and an RKO from Randy. Randy, AJ, and LA took the Bloodline for a beating that included a shot to the steel stairs for Jimmy and Solo being put through the announce table. WWE ends with Paul telling his phone to call Roman Reigns. 

Winner: AJ Styles, LA Knight, and Randy Orton 

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Takeaways 

1. KO Show with KO and Logan Paul next week 

2. Is Butch becoming Pete Dunne again? I hope so. 

3. Bayley seems to be back on the outside of Damage Ctrl...again. 4. Bloodline seems to only have each other now and the end seems nearer now.