This week’s SmackDown featured the return of Roman Reigns along with Randy Orton facing Jimmy Uso in singles action.
It was SmackDown at the Resch Center in Green Bay with Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick & Corey Graves on commentary.
Roman Reigns started SmackDown with a promo with The Bloodline by his side. Reigns was celebrating 1200 days as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Reigns talked about how Solo Sikoa was the next Tribal Chief after him. Jimmy Uso thought that Reigns was talking about him, but Reigns said it was Solo. Reigns hugged Solo and said he loved him. Randy Orton interrupted the promo and they went to a break.
Randy Orton was in the ring with Reigns and The Bloodline. Orton said for 18 months he has thought about this and Orton is going to take everything from Reigns. Orton said he’s coming for Reigns. Roman claimed he didn’t think about Orton at all, so Orton should go to the back of the line. Reigns said that instead of 18 months, he’ll put Orton out for good.
Orton spoke about how Reigns wasn’t just a historical champion, he was a legend. Orton claimed that he has changed and evolved too. Orton said that the one thing he will always be is a legend killer. Orton went for an RKO, but Reigns slipped out of it. Orton informed us that the voices in his head just told him that Reigns might have just crapped his pants. Orton said they also said: “Daddy’s back.” Orton left and Reigns was angry about what happened.
Match #1: Carmelo Hayes defeated Grayson Waller by pinfall in a United States Championship Contender’s Tournament Quarterfinal match. Hayes won with a Nothing But Net leg drop off the top rope.
LA Knight talked with Randy Orton backstage. Orton said that they were good, so Knight should stay out of his way. Knight claimed that there was one man who was going to take everything from Roman Reigns before everybody else and it was LA Knight…yeah.
Match #2:Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory by pinfall in a United States Championship Contender’s Tournament Quarterfinal match. Owens won with a punch to the face. Owens looked at the brace/cast on his right hand as if he realized he could use it as a weapon.
The final four in the US Title Contender’s Tournament look like this: Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar and Kevin Owens vs. Carmelo Hayes.
There was a new video about Karrion Kross saying that a new beginning was coming and everything was about to crumble. Kross asked if we can see it yet? Kross: “Soon…you will.”
Kevin Owens was interviewed backstage after his match. Carmelo Hayes interrupted the promo saying he respected Owens and that Melo needed to win their match more than Owens does.
The announcers spoke about Charlotte Flair’s knee injury suffered last week against Asuka. Patrick said Flair will be out for nine months with a knee injury. That likely means it’s a torn ACL injury. Best wishes to Charlotte Flair.
A video aired about Damage CTRL with Bayley talking about her plans for the group from day one. Bayley spoke about IYO SKY’s greatness as the WWE Women’s Champion. Bayley talked about the Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka & Kairi Sane becoming the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bayley said that Dakota Kai was the mastermind of the group. Bayley said that she will win the Royal Rumble and take the Women’s World Title from Rhea Ripley. They all laughed.
Match #3: Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane (w/Dakota Kai) defeated Zelina Vega & Michin. Sane got the win for her team with an Insane Elbow off the top rope.
There were separate promos from Santos Escobar and Bobby Lashley about their match next week.
Match #4: Randy Orton defeated Jimmy Uso by pinfall. Orton won clean with an RKO. Solo Sikoa’s music hit, Orton stared at him and when Jimmy tried to attack, Orton was ready for it and Orton hit the RKO to pin Jimmy.
After the match, The Bloodline trio of Roman Reigns, Jimmy & Solo attacked Randy Orton and LA Knight, who tried to help Orton. They were overmatched until AJ Styles showed up (he’s been out for three months) and hit a Phenomenal Forearm on Reigns. The trio of Orton, Styles & Knight cleared the ring.
It looked like Styles was on the same side as Orton & Knight, Styles clotheslined Knight. The fans booed that as Styles left and walked right by The Bloodline. Orton and Reigns made angry faces at eachother from a distance. That was the end of the show.
Next Week On WWE SmackDown
The next SmackDown episode will be on December 15th. Here’s what WWE announced for the show.
* US Championship Contender’s Tournament Semifinals: Bobby Lashley vs. Santos Escobar
* US Championship Contender’s Tournament Semifinals: Kevin Owens vs. Santos Escobar
* NXT North American Championship: Dragon Lee (c) vs. Butch
* Holiday Havoc 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Bianca Belair, Shotzi, Michin & Zelina Vega vs. Bayley, IYO SKY, Asuka & Kairi Sane
Those matches were taped after this week’s show.
That’s all for this week.