WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - December 31st, 2022

[LionDen]

John Cena returns to join forces with Kevin Owens against Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn

The Greatest of All Time John Cena is back! Don't miss all the action of the momumental final SmackDown episode of 2022!




Smackdown Live Coverage 31st Dec, 2022
Announcers: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.

We opened with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett hyping the return of John Cena in tonight's main event.

Bray Wyatt entered the Arena and headed to the ring. They showed footage of him attacking the "camera man" last week with The Mandible Claw before WWE officials prevented him from doing additional damage.

Bray took the ring mic and said that deep down, he doesn't think of himself of a good person, although he tries very hard. He said that when he thinks of all the horrible things he has to do to get to where he is, honestly, he doesn't regret much. He did do something that he does regret last week and wants to apologize. He said the camera man didn't deserve to be attacked "in cold blood" and started to apologize, but LA Knight's music hit and out he came.

Knight mocked Bray as the master of the mind games and said you have to be kidding him. He asked Bray what happened to him, since he can't keep his composure and finish a sentence, then takes it out on a camera man. He said that he pays some goon to wear an Uncle Howdy costume and thinks that takes the heat off him, but he's still the responsible party and it's time to pay the check. Knight said that Bray used to be someone and used to be a force in WWE. He said Bray used to be something but now he proves week after week he's a broke down loser. Knight said the Royal Rumble is coming up and it will be his first, so he's going to make it a special one. He's going to do that by taking Bray and putting him out of his misery.

Bray called Knight a "little idiot" and asked him who he thought he was talking to. He said he's been patient even though he knew this could be ended by Bray anytime he wanted. He said that perhaps it's time to remind him and the rest of the world how cruel Bray can be when he wants to be. He accepts a match at the Rumble PPV.

Uncle Howdy appeared on the screen, telling Bray to embrace the darkness. Bray smiled at Knight. Uncle Howdy came out and began walking towards the ring. He entered the ring and stepped between them, facing off with each, before standing next to Bray, then attacking him by executing Sister Abigail. Howdy exited the ring. They kept the lights dark for this sequence in order to accentuate the mystery of Howdy.

Backstage:
Sami Zayn was walking in the back and came to the Bloodline's locker room. Paul Heyman emerged and embraced him. Sami wanted to talk strategy with Roman Reigns. Heyman said that the things Sami said last week were said with the passion that Roman has always seen in Sami and Roman is very proud of him. Heyman said that if he could impart some wisdom to Sami - if that's if he's in the ring with Roman and the fans are chanting for Sami...and implores with his expression it may not be the best thing. Sami asked if Roman said something but Heyman said he didn't have to, as he's three steps ahead. Heyman then invited Sami in to meet with Roman, with Heyman's face showing that he knows there's something brewing that he's trying to keep bottled up.

We go to commercial.


Sheamus (w The Brawling Brutes) vs. Solo Sikoa (w/ The Usos)

Before the bout, Michael Cole issued his condolences to the family of Don West, identifying him as a wrestling announcer who "made an Impact" on pro wrestling. Pure class, from WWE and Cole. We love you Don. May you rest in peace.

They battled back and forth, slugging it out with some big shots. Sheamus nailed a series of punches in the corner but was whipped into the opposite side. Sheamus clotheslined Solo over the top to the floor. Solo grabbed a chair, upset, as the Usos tried to calm him down. They went to commercial....

When they returned live on FOX, Solo was back in control, using a nerve hold on Sheamus' trapezius. Sheamus was locked in a chinlock. He tried to fight out but was dragged back down to the mat. Sheamus escaped but was caught with a Samoan Drop. Sheamus battled back and nailed a series of forearms. Solo fired back but was slammed to the mat. He drilled Solo with a series of shots across the chest. Sheamus nailed a knee to the face for a close two count. Solo nailed a headbutt but was hit with a backbreaker and locked in the Texas Cloverleaf.

The Usos and The Brutes started brawling on the floor. Sheamus dove off the ring post down onto the Usos. Solo sent him into the post and drilled him with a uranage on the apron outside. Solo used the Samoan Spike and pinned Sheamus.

Winner: Solo Sikoa

After the match:
The Usos and Solo attacked Sheamus. Solo grabbed a steel chair. They placed it over his head but Drew McIntyre returned to make the save. He clotheslined Solo over the top to the floor and dispatched the Usos. The Bloodline retreated as The Brutes and Drew held the ring. A nice return following a strong back and forth match.


They previewed Ronda Rousey vs. Raquel Rodriguez for later in the night.

We go to commercial.


WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey (c)(w/ Shayna Baszler) vs. Raquel Rodriguez

They locked up. The story is that Rousey is going right after the elbow she's targeted in the weeks leading to this bout. Raquel shoulderblocked her down several time and nailed a spinning slam for a two count. Ronda went to the floor, but Raquel bailed her with a right and tossed her back into the ring. Raquel nailed several charges into the buckle, but then missed one and slammed her shoulder into the ring.

We go tot to commercial.

When we returned on FOX, Rousey was firmly in control of the challenger, working over Raquel's arm. Raquel fought back and nailed a Samoan Drop but was too spent to capitalize. She still caught Ronda with several clotheslines but hurt her "bad" arm with one of them. Ronda kicked out. She finally went for an armbar but Raquel kept blocking it and grappled her into a Boston Crab. Ronda was able to grab her leg and turned it into an ankelock. Raquel kicked her off and nailed a flapjack.

Raquel went for the one-armed chokeslam but Ronda tried to cinch in an armbar while in the air. She rolled forward and they went over the top to the floor. Raquel grabbed her and nailed the chokeslam outside on the apron.

We go to to commercial....

When we returned on FOX, Rodriguez nailed a big suplex for a close two count that was halted when Rousey grabbed the bottom rope. Ronda attacked the bad arm and snapped her down to the mat and locked on a hammerlock. Rodriquez fought her way to her feet and nailed a fall away slam. She went for the one-armed chokeslam but Rousey snatched her in a sleeper. Rodriquez began to fade to the mat. Raquel smashed forward into the buckles and Ronda hit the top buckle face-first. Rousey was nailed with a boot to the face but Shatyna got involved when Rodriguez went for the pin.

Rousey was smashed again into the buckles and placed atop them. Rousey nailed the bad arm but Raquel went to nail a move off the ropes. Rousey snatched her arm and locked on an armbar, but since they were in the ropes there was no submission. Raquel fell into the ring with Ronda holding the armbar and Raquel immediately tapped.

Winner: Ronda Rousey (Retains championship)

After the match:
As Rousey celebrated, Charlotte Flair came out, returning to WWE. This would be her first appearance since Wrestlemania Backlash, so the idea is she's coming for revenge after Rousey "broke her arm." BIG crowd response.

Rousey took the mic and asked how her elbow was feeling, mockingly asking if she was here for a title shot. Flair said she's not here for the Royal Rumble, but for tonight.

Rousey said she was feeling "spicy" and she was on. She handed the title belt to the referee.


WWE Smackdown Women's Championship
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Charlotte Flair.

Flair almost scored the pin in seconds and then nailed Baszler. Rousey went for an armbar but Flair maneuvered her into a pinfall, hooking the tights.

Winner: Charlotte Flair (New Smackdown Womens Champion)

After the match:
The crowd live saw this as a massive surprise and moment. Flair went into the crowd to celebrate, even hugging a young fan, so she's a babyface. it was smart to unveil her tonight on the show Cena appears on, since you'd think there will be a huge uptick in viewership for the show. Flair held the title up and they blew up a LOT of pyro. Undoubtedly, a big moment.


Backstage:
The Bloodline spoke in Roman's locker room. Sami brought up the crowd chanting for him as Paul Heyman was not happy about it. Roman acted as if it didn't bother him, saying that how could anyone pay attention to anything else when Sami is speaking with such conviction. He said if Sami brings 10% of that to the ring, it's a night off for him. Sami said it's going to be a great night for them.


After reviewing the Charlotte title change, they showed the footage of Dominik Mysterio being "arrested" over the weekend.

Backstage:
New Day, The Models, Ricochet and Madcap Moss were were ribbing Top Dolla about his bad dive attempt. Dolla got pissed and went to go after Ricochet but was held back.


Imperium made their way to the ring. GUNTHER's Path of Destruction is next.

We go to commercial.

Imperium made their way to the ring. GUNTHER's Path of Destruction is next. They aired a video package on who GUNTHER has beaten, but Braun Strowman came out and said he wasn't on that video because GUNTHER hasn't beaten him. He said a man might not be able to beat him, but how about a Monster? He made it clear he wanted a title shot so Imperium went after Braun. He dispatched them. GUNTHER went for him but Braun blocked him and sent him to the floor. Braun went for the Strowman Express and took out everyone until he got to GUNTHER, who sent him crashing through the barricade. Imperium attacked and sent Strowman into the ring steps, then tossed him back into the ring. GUNTHER snatched his arm and tried to wrench it out of the socket. Imperium kept officials at bay until finally Ricochet hit the ring with a chair and made the save, including a chair shot to the head on GUNTHER. You have to think THAT wasn't cleared.

The Bloodline were walking backstage, heading to the ring for the main event.


Roman Reigns (Undisputed WWE / Universal Champion) & Sami Zayn vs. John Cena & Kevin Owens.

Cena got the last entrance for the babyfaces and looked SO HAPPY. He looked in the camera and said, "Thank you so much for allowing me to do this for 20 years."

There was an awesome big fight feel for this when The Bloodline came out.

Owens and Sami officially started. Zayn caiught him with a clothesline and played up to Roman. Owens almost caught him with a stunner. Owens suplexed and dropped Zayn across the ropes, bouncing him into the ring. He told Sami he was embarrassing himself in front of Roman. Roman offered to tag in and Sami took him up on the offer. The crowd chanted for Cena so he went to tag in but Owens was blasted by Roman before it could happen. Roman works over Owens.

We go to commercial.

When they returned, Zayn was back in the ring working over Owens until he was hit with a clothesline. Cena went for the tag but was pulled off the apron and attacked by Roman. Zayn went for the Helluva kick but Owens superkicked him and looked for the tag, except Cena was laid out on the floor. Owens powerbombed Zayn for a two count but Roman broke up the pinfall. Roman tagged in and missed the Superman Punch. Owens kicked him down and nailed a frog splash off the top for a two count.

Roman went for a spear but missed and hit the corner. Cena returned to the apron and made the hot tag. Zayn tagged in and was hit with a pair of shoulder tackles and the blue thunder bomb. Cena ducked a Superman Punch and nailed another Blue Thunder Bomb. Cena tagged in Owens and they did a double five knuckle shuffle. Cena hit the FU on Reigns. Owens stunned Sami and scored the pin.

Winners: John Cena and Kevin Owens

After the match:
Cena and Owens celebrated in the ring as The Bloodline fumed on the floor.

Fade out.

[LionDen]

[LionDen]

[LionDen]

[TKO]

At least Roman loss for once but of course they can't didn't get pinned hopefully this is last year wrestling and wow holy shit what a surprise I wasn't expecting Charlotte to return and win the title just like that it's kind of Awesome my Lyca but out of nowhere seems a little bit strange I thought this is Charlotte

[TKO]

Rumoured matches for WrestleMania 38 per WrestlingNews: - Roman Reigns vs. Rock/Cody - UV title - Seth Rollins vs. Cody/Drew - WWE title - Brock Lesnar vs. Gunther - Logan Paul vs. John Cena
Uncle Howdy vs Bray Wyatt
Becky vs Charlotte
Rhea vs Ronda

[LionDen]

At least Roman loss for once but of course they can't didn't get pinned hopefully this is last year wrestling and wow holy shit what a surprise I wasn't expecting Charlotte to return and win the title just like that it's kind of Awesome my Lyca but out of nowhere seems a little bit strange I thought this is Charlotte

lol Yeah, was nice to see Reigns lose for once lol. Charlotte was a complete shock to me also.

Rumoured matches for WrestleMania 38 per WrestlingNews: - Roman Reigns vs. Rock/Cody - UV title - Seth Rollins vs. Cody/Drew - WWE title - Brock Lesnar vs. Gunther - Logan Paul vs. John Cena
Uncle Howdy vs Bray Wyatt
Becky vs Charlotte
Rhea vs Ronda

WTF! Logan Paul vs Cena? I don't see that happening. I would think, even though Cena would probably be insured, WWE would want a experienced wrestler with Cena so he does not get hurt. Unless it is a very careful boring match. Look at what happened tonight on Smackdown, Cena did some signature moves but Owens carried the match.