WWE SmackDown Results – December 8, 2023 (Tribute To The Troops)

Written by John Canton • Published 9th December 2023

This week’s SmackDown was the Tribute to the Troops show featuring CM Punk along with Charlotte Flair in action against Asuka.

The song “God Bless America” was performed by The War and Treaty, who are a man and woman named Michael Trotter Jr. and his wife Tanya Trotter.

It was SmackDown at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, RI with Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick & John Bradshaw Layfield on commentary. That’s because JBL came up with Tribute to the Troops, so they used him on the show instead of Corey Graves this week.

Match #1: United States Championship Contender’s Tournament – Quarterfinals: Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee by pinfall. Escobar won clean with a Phantom Driver. Dominik Mysterio watched the match from ringside since he faces Lee at NXT Deadline.

Smackdown GM Nick Aldis was in his office when Randy Orton showed up for a chat. Orton handed Aldis a cheque that was a fine for hitting Aldis for the RKO. Orton wasn’t sure about teaming up with LA Knight. Aldis said that Knight has issues with The Bloodline too, so Aldis wants to see Orton & Knight team up against Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa. Orton was okay with it. Nick looked at the cheque and said that the fine was $50,000 and this check was for $100,000. Orton said, “Oh, that’s for next time.” Orton left.

Cody Rhodes did an in-ring promo thanking the troops for doing what they do. A video aired featuring WWE’s past Tribute to the Troops shows with highlights of John Cena interacting with troops. There were also comments from Cena from the past thanking the troops for what they do.

Match #2: United States Championship Contender’s Tournament – Quarterfinals: Bobby Lashley defeated Karrion Kross (w/Scarlett) by pinfall. Lashley won clean with a Spear. CBS Sports announcer Brad Nessler was on commentary for this match since he will call the Army-Navy college football game on CBS on Saturday.

CM Punk did an in-ring promo saying he will have more time than he did on Raw because it’s the middle of the show instead of the main event. Punk mentioned being in the Royal Rumble and going to WrestleMania. Punk also mentioned several superstars including Roman Reigns. Punk reminded Reigns that Paul Heyman was his Wise Man long before Reigns. Punk spoke about Kevin Owens and talked about throwing punches and getting into fights backstage, so that’s an AEW reference.

CM Punk also took a shot at Seth Rollins (without saying Seth’s name) because Seth’s not even “The Man” in his own family – a Becky Lynch reference. When fans sang Seth’s theme song, Punk said that’s all that Rollins has. Punk made it clear that he was going to decide what brand he will join this coming Monday on Raw. Punk ended the promo saying that he’s going to begin his journey to finish his story and that means one thing…main eventing WrestleMania.

After a break, CM Punk was shown walking backstage. He saw The Bloodline’s dressing room door and almost knocked on it, but he didn’t do it. Kevin Owens walked up to Punk, so Punk asked if he saw Nick Aldis’ locker room. Owens said, “Nope” and Punk sarcastically said, “Thanks for the help.” Punk kept on walking.

Match #3: Asuka defeated Charlotte Flair by pinfall. Bayley showed up at ringside, Flair punched Bayley off the apron and Asuka got a rollup pin to win. Flair appeared to have legitimately hurt her left knee. She was helped to the back.

CM Punk was backstage in the office of SmackDown GM Nick Aldis. Punk was handed some papers and Aldis said he could call him if he had any questions. After Aldis left, Cody Rhodes walked in saying that for CM Punk to finish his story, he had to win the Royal Rumble. Punk said yeah. Cody said that’s interesting. Cody said it was good to have him back and they shook hands.

Match #4:Randy Orton & LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso by pinfall. Orton pinned Jimmy with an RKO. Solo no longer wrestles barefoot since he had shoes on for this match.

After the match, Orton went up to Knight and shook hands with him while also raising their hands together. Orton and Knight celebrated on the turnbuckles to end the show.