WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - January 27th, 2023

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Kevin Owens takes the fight to Solo Sikoa

In the wake of Kevin Owens attacking Roman Reigns and The Bloodline during the Royal Rumble Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Contract Singing, Solo Sikoa will look to take out KO before he can challenge The Head of the Table. Will The Enforcer of The Bloodline compromise Owens one day before KO's title showdown?


:smackdown:

Your announcers are Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.

We start off with a look back at the Trial of Sami Zayn from Raw.

An SUV arrives at the building and The Usos emerge with Solo. Jimmy says it is Solo’s night tonight.

Sami Zayn shows up and Jey tells Sami he isn’t supposed to be there. Sami says he isn’t going inside. He wanted to thank Jey for what he did on Monday night. Sami says he has Jey and if Jey needs anything he has him.


Rey Mysterio versus Karrion Kross (with Scarlett)

They lock up and Kross tosses Rey to the mat. Rey with a waist lock and Kross with a back elbow. Rey with a drop kick to the knee and a satellite head scissors. Kross with a clothesline. Kross sends Rey over the top rope to the floor (you know what that means if it was tomorrow). Kross gets Rey up but Rey escapes and sends Kross into the ring post. Rey slides under the bottom rope and hits a sunset flip power bomb into the ringside barrier.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Kross with an Irish whip and he goes for a pump handle move and hits a back breaker. Kross gets a near fall. We see footage from the break when Kross caught Rey on a suicide dive and turned it into a choke slam followed by an Irish whip sternum first. Back to live action, Kross tries to pull off Rey’s mask. Rey pulls himself up when Kross charges into the corner and Kross hits the turnbuckles. Rey with an enzuigiri and Scarlett trips Rey on a 619 attempt but that doesn’t stop Rey from sending Kross into the ropes.

Rey with a 619 and he goes up top and hits a splash for a near fall. Kross with a suplex and a bridging cover. He holds on and goes for another suplex but Rey with a crucifix for the three count.

Winner: Rey Mysterio


We take a look back at the US Title match from Raw and the return of BROCK LESNAR.

Austin Theory makes his way to the ring.

We go to commercial.

We go to The Bayley Bunch and Bayley says they are confident to be part of the Royal Rumble. Dakota says she feels bad for the other competitors because when they work together it will be hard to beat any of them. Iyo says they will show who runs WWE.

Austin Theory is in the ring and he says the champ is here. He says not only did he retain the championship on the 30th anniversary of Raw, but he is going on to the Royal Rumble to win the Royal Rumble.

The New Day interrupt and they make their way to the stage.

Kofi says there are only three austins he respect, Austin Creed, Stone Cold Steve, and the city he lives in. Woods says he knows Theory comes from Raw so he can flap his jaws on a three hour show. Woods says they have to be more efficient as they enter the ring.

Kofi asks if he heard Theory say he was going to win the Rumble. Kofi and Woods laugh at him. Woods asks if not him, then who? Kofi says it will be him and Xavier Woods who are going to win. Woods says when one of them win, they all win the Royal Rumble. They say E too.

Theory asks them if that is what they think. He asks them if they know who he is and Theory says he is the biggest star in the WWE.

Miz interrupts and makes his way to the stage. Miz tells Theory he has been in Royal Rumble matches since before Theory hit puberty.

Theory asks if that means that Miz is old.

Miz says he will throw Theory and 28 others over the top rope to win the one thing he has not won, the Royal Rumble. Miz says there is nothing more dangerous than him with something on his shoulder. Miz says he will give Theory an education about what will happen tomorrow.

Miz and Theory attack Woods and Kofi.

Bobby Lashley comes out and he clotheslines Miz and Theory. Woods and Lashley high five but Lashley with a clothesline. Lashley choke slams Kofi and then hits a flatliner on Miz and a spear to Theory.

Lashley says since Brock interrupted his match on Raw, he is going to terrorize every one of these guys in the Rumble until he gets what he deserves.

Brock Lesnar comes through the crowd and gives Lashley an F-5.

Brock tells Lashley he will see him tomorrow in the Rumble.

Kevin Owens is in the back as he prepares for his match against Solo Sikoa.

Solo also prepares for his match.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Rhea says Mami is here and she is ready for the Royal Rumble. She says she has come close but this year is her year. She will win the Royal Rumble and punch her golden ticket to the Royal Rumble.


Lacey Evans versus Jazmin Allure

They lock up and Lacey backs Allure into the corner and gives her a biel. Lacey with a drop toe hold and she sends Allure’s face into the mat. Lacey does some push ups. They lock up and Lacey with a wrist lock. Lacey rolls through and kicks Jazmin in the knee. Lacey slams Allure’s head into the turnbuckles. She tries to hit Allure with the sole of her boot but the referee stops her. Lacey with a punch and she slams the leg into the mat. Allure with a rollup for a near fall.

Lacey with a punch and then she applies the Cobra Clutch.

Winner: Lacey Evans

After the match, Little Loser from Laredo found out the Cobra Clutch is unbreakable. She says you will be sad when I lock this hold on 29 others and send them over the top rope. She wants everyone to salute their soon to be Royal Rumble winner.


Lacey drops Allure over the top rope to the floor (you know).

Kayla is in the back with Sheamus and Drew McIntyre.

Drew says it is a huge night tonight and tomorrow. Drew says it is Sheamus’ birthday and he says he is on a roll so his money is on Sheamus and he slaps him. Sheamus says Drew has been on a roll and he slaps Drew. Sheamus and Drew slap each other and it turns into a chop fest.

Kayla brings up their match tonight. Sheamus says their plan is to send Hit Row back to Skid Row.

We look at the latest Cody Rhodes Rhode to the Rumble video.

Erik and Ivar attack Sheamus and Drew from behind as they go to the ring. Drew is tossed into the ringside barrier. Erik and Ivar with forearms to Sheamus’ back. They send Sheamus into the ringside barrier. Erick with knees to Sheamus and Drew. Ivar with a cross body to Sheamus against the ringside barrier. Ivar with one to Drw and it causes the LED board to malfunction.

Referees and officials come out.

We go to commercial.


Smackdown Tag Team Title Tournament Semifinal Match
Ricochet and Braun Strowman versus Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dolla (with B Fab)

Ricochet punches Adonis and chops him. Ricochet with a European uppercut. Ricochet with a flying forearm and punches. Ricochet with a slam and elbow drop to Adonis for a near fall. Ricochet avoids a clothesline and hits a handstand head scissors followed by a drop kick. Ricochet sets for a dive to the floor but Top Dolla gets in the way. Ricochet with an enzuigiri to Dolla. Fab grabs Ricochet when the referee is distracted by Dolla. Ashante with a drop kick and he gets a near fall. Adonis with an uppercut and Dolla tags in. Dolla sends Adonis into the corner with a shoulder and Dolla with a boot for a near fall.

Dolla choke Ricochet in the ropes. Adonis tags in and hits a splash to the back. Fab with a punch to Ricochet for a near fall. Dolla tags in and Dolla with a knee to the midsection. Dolla with a knee in the corner and Adonis tags in and slams Ricochet. Adonis with an elbow drop. Ricochet with a rollup for a near fall. Adonis with an Irish whip but Ricochet with a boot. Adonis stops the tag but Adonis misses a punch. Ricochet with punches but Adonis stops the tag. Ricochet lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt and Braun tags in. Braun with a punch to Dolla and a kick to Adonis followed by a splash. Braun clotheslines Dolla over the top rope (imagine if it was Saturday). Braun with a back drop to Adonis and then Ricochet hits a twisting plancha onto Dolla. Braun with a power bomb for the three count.

Winners: Braun Strowman and Ricochet (advance to the finals)


Kayla is with Kevin Owens.

She asks Kevin why is he facing Solo tonight with Roman tomorrow.

Kevin says he is doing this tonight because he wants to become Universal Champion. He wants to right a wrong that took place two years ago. Everyone did what they could to keep him from winning the title. How will tomorrow be any different? He has to take care of as many members of the Bloodline as possible.

The Usos walk in the hallway and Owens goes after them but officials separate them and Pearce tells The Usos to get out of the building and for Owens to get ready for his match.

We go to commercial.

We are back and the Usos leave the building.

Jey gets on the phone and he calls Sami. He says he has a favor for him before Jimmy drives off.

The lights go out and Bray Wyatt’s music plays but it is not Bray Wyatt. Instead LA Knight walks to the ring with a small lantern.

Knight tosses off the hat and shirt.

Knight wants to talk to ya. The biggest moment in Raw history happened on Monday when he walked into the ring. He says he heard you chanting for him. Knight says he gives you what you want even if you don’t deserve it. Like a turd in a punchbowl, here comes the Undertaker. Why did he do that? Neither of them wanted this guy one on one. You have 24 hours until our match tomorrow. Bring every piece of advice the Undertaker whispered into your ear. Come to the ring in whatever gear gives you a tingle in your leg. You will not be coming back.

Bray appears on the stage in a rocking chair.

Bray says he sees you making jokes but you ain’t smilin’ on the inside. It doesn’t matter any more. The time for talking has come and gone. Tomorrow night, you’ll finally meet the man you’ve been looking for. Take your time tonight. Have a great night. Laugh it up and joke all you want. When the lights go out, you’ll see.

Bray laughs.

We see Uncle Howdy on the concourse.

We go to commercial.


Semifinal Match in the Smackdown Tag Team Tournament
Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro (with Zelina Vega) versus Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci

Kaiser and Wilde start things off and Kaiser backs him into the corner but he misses a punch. Wilde with a hammer lock and Kaiser with a reversal. Wilde with a wrist lock and chops. Wilde with a springboard wrist lock take down. Kaiser with a punch. Vinci tags in and he applies a side head lock. Vinci with a forearm to the back. Cruz tags in and he avoids Vinci and connects with jabs. Cruz with a chop. Vinci blocks a kick and connects with a clothesline for a near fall. Kaiser tags in and he punches Cruz. Cruz with punches and chops.

Cruz with a kick but Kaiser with a punch and he follows with head butts. Kaiser with a boot to Wilde on the apron. Cruz with punches and a kick. Kaiser stops Cruz from making the tag but Cruz with an enzuigiri and Wilde tags in. Wilde with an Arabian press arm drag to Vinci. Kaiser and Vinci with clotheslines to Cruz and Wilde.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Wilde and Kaiser exchange punches. Kaiser with an Irish whip and he blocks a kick and punches Wilde. Wilde with a kick and suplex. Kaiser gets a near fall. Vinci tags in and chops Wilde and follows with a slam for a near fall. Vinci holds Wilde and Kaiser tags in. Kaiser with kicks to the head but Wilde with forearms and uppercuts. Wilde with a tornado DDT and both men are down. Vinci and Cruz tag in.

Cruz with a springboard cross body and a head scissors take down. Cruz with a knee into the corner. Cruz with a kick as Vinci charges into the corner and then he hits a missile drop kick to Vinci and Kaiser. Cruz and Wilde with stereo dives to the floor. Cruz runs into a back elbow from Vinci but Cruz kicks Vinci on the turnbuckles and follows with a springboard rana. Wilde tags in and hits a springboard splash for a near fall. Cruz chops Kaiser. Cruz sends Kaiser to the floor with a head scissors. Kaiser slams Cruz on the floor. Vinci and Wilde go to the top and Vinci with a press slam from the turnbuckles but Vinci appears to have hurt his knee. Kaiser tags in and they set up for the Imperium Bomb and hit it for the three count.

Winners: Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser (advance to the Finals)


We go to the Royal Rumble by the Numbers video package.

Kevin Owens walks in the back as we go to commercial.

Xia Li says the Royal Rumble is not only dangerous but painful.

We take a look at Charlotte Flair on a podcast when Sonya Deville interrupted.

Adam Pearce is in his office and Charlotte is standing there.

Charlotte says Sonya is annoying but she is persistent. Adam says that isn’t the word he wants to use.

Charlotte says she will give Sonya a title match.

Adam wants to make sure that is what she wants. Adam gives it to her next week.


Kevin Owens versus Solo Sikoa

They start off by throwing punches at each other. Owens with a side head lock and shoulder tackle but Solo stays on his feet. Owens bounces off Solo a second time. Solo bounces off Owens on a shoulder tackle. They continue with shoulder tackles and neither leaves their feet. Owens with a back elbow and Solo goes down. Owens with a back senton. Owens sets for a cannonball but Solo goes to the floor to avoid him. Owens follows Solo to the floor. Solo runs Owens into the ringside barrier and then he sends Owens into the ring post and ringside barrier.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Solo with a head butt. Solo with a running hip into the corner but Owens escapes. Owens with punches and a kick followed by a reverse atomic drop and clotheslines. Solo with a head butt to the collarbone. Owens with a kick and DDT for a near fall. Owens goes up top and Solo with a punch to stop him. Solo climbs the turnbuckles. Solo with head butts and he tells Kevin he won’t make it to the Rumble. Solo sets for a superplex but Owens blocks it and he head butts Solo, but that might be a problem.

Owens with an elbow to the head and Sikoa falls to the mat. Owens with a frog splash for a near fall. Owens with a super kick but Solo with a super kick. Owens with a super kick and Solo avoids a stunner and hits a Samoan drop for a near fall. Solo misses a splash into the corner and Owens with super kicks. Owens with a cannonball and Owens goes up top for a swanton and he hits it.

Sami pulls Solo out of the ring. Solo super kicks Sami when Owens moves. Owens sends Solo into the ring steps. Owens adjusts the announce table. Solo sends Owens into the ring post and then Solo gets a chair. Solo hits Owens with a chair and then Solo goes to the ringside barrier for a splash through the table. Owens gets up and punches Solo. Solo with a head butt and Owens with a super kick. Owens with a pop up power bomb on the table. Owens grabs the chair and he he hits Solo with it. Owens drops the chair at Sami’s feet.

No Contest

Kevin tells Roman he is bringing everything he’s got.

We go to credits.

Looking forward to the Rumble tomorrow. :)