Courtesy of WWE
SMACKDOWN 12/22/23
-Jeffrey T. Fountain, Contributor
Tonight's Smackdown was recorded last week at the Resch Center in Green
Bay, Wisconsin. AJ Styles opens the show discussing which supserstars are currently targeting Roman Reigns, but he doesn't give a damn about them
because he has first dibs on Roman Reigns and wants him at the Royal Rumble.
Like Kevin Owens always says, "If you say their name, they will appear."
LA Knight's music hits and he already has a mic in hand. "Let me talk to
ya"! LA says, "After what happened to me at Crown Jewel, you can have
Roman Reigns, after I'm through with him." "Roman Reigns is going to get
this guy first, with everybody saying... L.A. Knight...yea"! Knight mentions
what happened last week on Smackdown and says the first on his list can
damn sure be AJ Styles.
AJ Styles quickly reminds LA Knight that it was his, "Dead body" he stepped
over to team with John Cena to get his match with Roman Reigns at Crown
Jewel. AJ tells Knight, "If you or anybody else gets in my way, I'll drop them
too."
Randy Orton makes his way to the ring and says he appreciates both AJ and Knight. He says he still has issues with Roman Reigns and the Bloodline because they put him on the shelf for 18 months. Orton said he enjoyed being home but he missed his second home which is right here in the ring.
LA Knight interrupts Randy before he could finish his statement. Knight points
out, "The Bloodline took you out", while pointing at AJ and then points at
Randy. He says The Bloodline took hinm out but does anybody remember
The Bloodline taking me out? "Na, Na"! LA Knights says he's bullet proof at
this point. LA invites Randy and AJ along for the ride but he has Roman Reigns.
Nick Aldis, interrupts the trio in the ring in regards to who should have an an opportunity at Roman Reigns first. Nick says the three of the them will face off with each other in a triple threat match at New Years Revolution to determine the number one contender to face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
AJ Styles is the first to speak and says whatever it takes to get to Roman
Reigns and "I'll see you two at New Years Revolution". As AJ is leaving the
ring he threatens that if anyone gets near this ring during his match with
Solo Sikoa, he'll take them out, too.
Match 1 (Holiday Havoc)
Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Zelina, and Michin vs. Damage Ctrl (Asuka, Bayley,
Kairi Sane, and Iyo Sky w/ Dakota Kai)
It's not the Smackdown before the Holidays without a Holiday Havoc and
you know it's going to be a crazy match when the TCB tank makes an
appearance. These eight women threw everything but the kitchen sink at
each other and they would've threw the kitchen sink at each other. The presents under the trees this year included kendo sticks, chairs and garbage can lids. Two present even included Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre who took out the Kabuki Warriors to turn this match into the favor of Bianca Belair's team. Michin got her moment in the spotlight hitting Iyo with Meet Da Feet and quickly placing her on a table for a big top rope Swanton Bomb that sealed the victory.
Winner: Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Zelina, and Michin
Backstage Segment
Jimmy is talking to Solo about being under pressure and when you're under
pressure, you gotta be able to call a hot route. You got to audible and you
got to project. Jimmy says, "Solo on three, lets go baby". Solo didn't even
acknowledge putting his hand in and the camera zooms out to Roman
looking disappointed.
Roman finally speaks, asking the Wiseman who the Smackdown General
Manager is. The Wiseman, Paul Heyman answering saying, "Aldis, Nick
Aldis". Roman just says bring him to me. Paul Heyman asked for a moment
of the Tribal Chiefs' time to brief him on Nick Aldis. Roman just says, "No,
No bring him to me."
Match 2 (NXT North American Championship)
Dragon Lee vs. Butch
The British Strong Style practitioner, Butch gave Dragon Lee a run for his
North American Championship from bell to bell in this hard hitting match-up between both competitors. Butch looked to dislocate Dragon Lee's fingers at one point in the match and moments later it appeared that Dragon Lee popped his dislocated fingers back into place. Butch and Dragon Lee both saw multiple near falls and referee, Jessica Karr got a workout in during this match-up. Butch looked to be putting Dragon Lee away when Dragon Lee hits Operation Dragon to retain.
Winner: Dragon Lee
Backstage Segment
In the Bloodline locker room, Paul Heyman introduces Nick Aldis to the
Tribal Chief before being dismissed. Roman asked, "You booked the triple
threat match and you booked Solo vs. AJ"? Nick answered that he did indeed and Roman agreed those were pretty good ideas. Roman tells Nick, "You want to know what would've been a even better idea"? Roman answered himself, "If you would have ran it all by me first". Roman reminds Nick that he is the Tribal Chief and the Head of the Table and everything goes through him. Roman goes on to say that he needs Nick to understand that cause Adam Pearce understood that.
Nick Aldis appears insulted and says, "Now you're just trying to hurt my
feelings". He reminds Roman that he is an executive and doesn't have
feelings. Nicks says, "While we are on the subject of Adam, he is more
middle management type and he is the sharp end of the stick". Nick tells
Roman, Solo is a big boy and he handled John Cena in a way that not even
you could take care of John Cena. Nick says that he's looking forward to
seeing Solo vs. the Phenomenal One, AJ Styles and he's so looking forward
to the triple threat match and seeing who will face him at the Royal Rumble
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Nick thanks Roman
for the invitation and looks forward to more productive dialogue and
getting to know each other better.
Match 3 (Rd 2 United States Championship Tournament)
Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hayes
Carmelo Hayes will be a main roster star. No doubt about that and he
proved it with this showing in the U.S. Championship tournament. He took
KO to his limits that saw him counter a pop-up power bomb into the First 48 and as he went for the Nothing but Net, KO recovered and got himself out of danger. KO hits a pop-up power bomb and follows it up with a swanton off the top rope. For good measure and to ensure he put Melo
away, he gave him a stunner for the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
Backstage Segment
In the backstage area, AJ is warming up when the Good Brothers and
Michin run up welcoming him back. The Good Brothers mention they
haven't heard from AJ and didn't know he was returning. They ask if everything is okay. AJ answered, "I don’t know, are we?" and walked off.
Match 4 (Rd 2 United States Championship Tournament)
Bobbys Lashley vs. Santos Escobar
Santos gave the business to Bobby Lashley from start to finish. Bobby had
some offense mixed in but Santos took the legs and power away from
Bobby Lashley in the early goings. As it was starting to look like Bobby
may mount a comeback two masked men jumped the guardrails from the
crowd and attacked the Street Profits. This distraction to Bobby Lashley
allowed Santos to grab a quick roll-up victory while holding the tights.
After the match, Santos quickly exited the ring to meet the two masked men
on the ramp. As they back their way up the ramp they removed the masked
to reveal the cousins, Humberto and Angel from NXT.
Winner: Santos Escobar
Backstage Segment
Butch is being interviewed backstage, when Pretty Deadly appear singing
carols. This sets Butch off and he attacks Pretty Deadly before it gets broken up by WWE management. Nick Aldis tells Butch, we don't do that and if he wants Pretty Deadly to find a partner and he can have Pretty
Deadly at New Years Revolution.
Main Event
AJ Styles vs. Solo Sikoa
This match was destined to be full of hard knocks with both men putting
everything into their moves. AJ was looking to get a measure of revenge on
Solo after Solo took him our for nearly 3 months. In fact, right when AJ hit a
phenomenal forearm and revenge was in sight, Roman Reigns hit the ring.
AJ hit the mat with some hard shots from Roman. However, Aj gets a
second wind and starts returning shots on Roman but not for long as Solo
recovers and hits AJ from behind. Roman and Solo are working over AJ
when Randy Orton's music hits. Orton comes out to make the save on AJ. This save wouldn't last long however because Jimmy Uso hits the ring to turn the tides back in favor of the Bloodline. The Bloodline are working over AJ and Randy when LA Knight makes his way to the ring to even the numbers. AJ, Randy and LA managed to fight off the Bloodline, but the three soon implode on each other and they give us a preview of the triple threat match happening at New Years Revolution. Roman stops Jimmy and Solo from attacking the three again and decides to let them destroy themselves.
Winner: AJ Styles by DQ
Takeaways:
1. This Smackdown was recorded last week to give the WWE Superstars the
Holidays at home.
2. Nick Aldis established himself at the top of Smackdown as oppossed to Roman Reigns.
3. Santos Escobar and Kevin Owens will meet in the U.S. Championship
Finals.
4. New Years Revolution is shaping up to be a great night of Smackdown.
5. In an aired segment it appears AOP will join Karrion Kross.