WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - December 8th, 2023
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CM Punk returns to the blue brand on a special Tribute to the Troops episode!
At Survivor Series: WarGames, CM Punk shocked the world when he emerged in WWE for the first time in nearly 10 years! After celebrating his return on Monday Night Raw,Punk is now set to reemerge on SmackDown. What's up next for The Second City Saint? Will any Superstars step to the outspoken returning Superstar?
:smackdown:
Your announcers are Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield and Kevin Patrick.
WWE SmackDown kicks off with a “USA” chant for the Tribute to the Troops episode. The War and Treaty sing God Bless America.
United States Championship Tournament
Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee
Dominik Mysterio comes down to the ring before the start of the match. The bell rings and we are under way. Dragon Lee clotheslines Escobar to the outside but Escobar lands on his feet. Escobar gets back in the ring and Dragon Lee hits him with a hurricanrana and Escobar falls to the outside. Dragon Lee with a running flying senton over the top rope onto Escobar. He throws Escobar back into the ring. Dragon Lee with a jumping kick to the face followed by a super kick. He goes for the cover but Escobar kicks out. Dragon Lee with a kick to the leg. He climbs the top rope but Escobar trips him up and Dragon Lee falls onto the ring apron. Escobar with a neck breaker. He goes for the cover but Dragon Lee kicks out. Escobar with a headbutt. He gets on the ring apron but Dragon Lee hits him with a right hand. Dragon Lee goes for a hurricanrana on the ring apron but Escobar catches him and slams him on the ring apron.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Dragon Lee with a clothesline in the ring and Escobar in the corner. Dragon Lee hits him with a dropkick. He goes for the cover but Escobar kicks out. Dragon Lee with a snap German suplex. He runs to the ropes but Escobar with a superkick. He goes for the cover but Dragon Lee kicks out. Escobar goes for the Phantom Driver but Dragon Lee reverses it into a cover but Escobar kicks out. Dragon Lee with a sit down powerbomb. He goes for the cover but Escobar kicks out. A running knee to the face and Escobar falls to the outside of the ring. Dragon Lee throws Escoabr back into the ring. Dragon Lee and Dominik are face to face. Dragon Lee climbs the top rope but Escobar trips him up and places him on his shoulders. Escobar with the Phantom Driver. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Santos Escobar
After the match:
Dominik Mysterio gets in the ring after the match. Dragon Lee is down on the mat and Dominik spits on him and leaves the ring.
We see clips of last week’s show where Randy Orton signed his SmackDown contract.
We cut to the arena and Randy Orton is with Nick Aldis. Orton gives him a check. He tells Aldis that he found out that Aldis has him teaming up with LA Knight against Jimmy Uso and Solo. He asks him why. Aldis says he saw LA Knight saving him last week. Orton says he didn’t need saving and he didn’t know who LA Knight even was before last week. Aldis says he will be his tag team partner for tonight. Aldis opens the check and says his fine for hitting him with the RKO last week was $50,000 and this is a check for $100,000. Orton says this is also for next time and walks away.
-Commercial Break-
The lights go out and we hear “Wrestling has more than one royal family” and out comes Cody Rhodes to the ring.
He stands in the middle of the ring and asks the crowd what they want to talk about. He says tonight is a special night which is why he asked to be here. Not only is it SmackDown but it’s WWE’s Tribute to the Troops. He says he is very proud to be on the team carrying this tradition, on behalf of everyone at WWE, they would like to say thank you to those in attendance tonight and to those at home. Cody points to the titan tron as we see a history of the Tribute to the Troops events.
Back in the arena, a loud “USA” chant erupts. Cody says the American Nightmare can stand in the spotlight and the American Dream can be resolute throughout the world thanks to their service. He says it is his privilege to introduce from Fort Myers, Virginia, the US Army Drill Team. Out come three soldiers onto the ramp who salute the crowd.
Brad Nessler of CBS Sports joins the announce team. Nessler talks about the Tribute to the Troops and calls it fantastic.
-Commercial Break-
United States Championship Tournament
Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross (w/ Scarlett)
The bell rings and we are under way. Kross with right hands but Lashley with an elbow to the face. Lashley goes for the Hurt Lock but Kross gets out of it. A right forearm to the face by Kross and Lashley falls to the outside of the ring. Kross throws Lashley towards the ring steps but Lashley jumps over the steps. He turns around and hits Kross with a clothesline. He throws Kross back into the ring and throws him across the ring and clotheslines Kross to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Kross goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out. Kross with a superkick. He goes for the cover but Lashley kicks out. Kross runs towards Lashley but Lashley catches him and slams him onto the mat. The fans chant “Bobby” and he hits Kross with a big right hand. Lashley with a swinging neck breaker followed by a suplex. He lifts Kross up but Kross lands on his feet and he hits Lashley with a knee to the face. Kross runs towards Lashley but Lashley slams him onto the mat. Lashley hits Kross with the spear. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winner: Bobby Lashley
After the match:
Out come the Street Profits who celebrate with Bobby Lashley after the match.
We see clips of last week’s match between Bianca Belair and Kairi Sane with Bianca Belair getting the win.
Back in the arena we see Damage CTRL and in comes Bayley. She tells them she is here because she wants to apologize for last week. She says she will volunteer that she stays in the back tonight but she thinks it’s a good idea for them all to stay. Bayley calls this a WrestleMania rematch between Asuka and Charlotte Flair. Dakota tells Bayley it’s a good idea that she stays in the back but they will go to ringside. Damage CTRL walk away and Bayley stands alone.
-Commercial Break-
CM Punk’s music hits and out he comes to the ring wearing a “Hell froze over” tshirt. A loud “CM Punk” chant from the crowd and he stands in the ring looking at the fans. He says he has good news, he’s at 9:00 pm, he’s not at the end of the show and won’t get his time cut. If they want to chant his name, to chant his name. The fans restart chanting his name.
Punk says Adam Pearce is trying to sign him to Raw and the fans boo. He says he thinks they were a little louder on Raw. He says that is the question he has been getting, where he will sign. He says he will partly leave it up to the fans. He asks if they want him to sign with Raw but the fans boo. He asks if they want him to sign with SmackDown and the fans cheer. He asks if they want him to throw 29 other superstars over the top rope, climb the turnbuckle, point at the sign and main event WrestleMania? The fans cheer and chant “CM Punk”. He says an old friend of his that welcomed him back home with open arms famously comes out and asks what do you guys want to talk about. And he is famous for taling but he has been listening and there are some people that are upset. They don’t like the CM Punk that says he loves everyone. He is home and he is glad to be home.
He says he will be that spicy CM Punk. This is him putting his feet up on his couch and his feet have a lot of mud. It’s not what do you want to talk about, it’s who do you want him to talk about.
He says he can talk about Cody Rhodes, he has some stories. Or someone who is not here and they cheer. He says by the sound of it, someone who is never here, Roman Reigns. And the fans cheer. Punk says he acknowledges Roman, he congratulates him but not to forget who the OG Paul Heyman guy is. Don’t forget that Heyman was his wiseman first. Roman might not be here but his cousins are here. Solo, a big tough son of a gun that he does not know but he is familiar with Jimmy. He shout outs Jey Uso. He says he sees him.
Punk says he has to wrestle with Raw or SmackDown. If he scraps with Jimmy, he has a lot of cousins. Endless Samoans of cousins. If he scraps with him, he needs back up. Can he trust a guy who he has a history with, who ahs voices in his head? Does he get along with Orton? It will be entertaining. And someone who he is positive will team up with him is LA Knight. Punk says points to a fan and someone says Kevin Owens. He says maybe he can fight Kevin Owens. He says Kevin is a little prickly in that they are probably too much alike. He does not know who would feel comfortable working with someone who randomly punches people in the face, it’s 2023, you can’t be doing stuff like that, it’s insane.
The fans chant CM Punk and he laughs. He says everyone is happy to see CM Punk, even JBL. Everyone has welcomed him back with open arms except for that one guy. He says there is always that one bad apple which spoils the bunch. But he won’t put any stock in anything he has to say and that’s not because of his whiny voice but it’s because he isn’t even the man in his own household. The fans chant Seth’s song. Punk says that’s about all he has is that song and to keep it up. He says they are having fun and he is glad to be back home.
Punk says they will find out where he will land on Monday night. He will talk to Aldis, Shawn Michaels on NXT and Adam Pearce. And he will make his decision on Raw, almost 10 years to the day, in the same town where he walked out. And everyone he has mentioned today have one thing in common and that is that CM Punk is back and he is the monkey wrench in their plans. Everyone wants to talk about finishing their story but Monday he puts pen to paper and he will start his journey to finish his story and that is to main event WrestleMania. He drops the microphone and leaves the ring.
-Commercial Break-
We see CM Punk walking backstage and he stops by The Bloodline’s dressing room. He is about to knock on the door but doesn’t. In comes Kevin Owens and Punk asks him if he has seen Nick’s locker room. Owens tells him no, Punk thanks him for his help and walks away.
Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka (w/ Damage CTRL)
Michin and Zelina Vega attack Damage CTRL as they are walking down to the ring. Out come Shotzi and Bianca Belair and they all beat up on Damage CTRL and chase them to the back.
The bell rings and we are under way. Asuka with kicks onto Flair. She runs to the ropes but Flair catches her and hits her with a back drop. Flair to her feet and hits Asuka with a kick to the side of the head. Flair with a clothesline. She goes for the cover but Asuka kicks out. Asuka rolls to the outside and Flair hits her with a baseball slide. Flair with a chop to the chest. Flair goes for a chop to the chest but Asuka moves out of the way and Flair chops the ring post. Asuka pushes her onto the ring post and hits her with a kick to the face. Asuka runs towards Flair but Flair throws her into the barricade. Flair climbs the top rope and hits her with a moon sault.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Flair slams Asuka face first into the turnbuckle. The referee is checking on Flair and they mention on commentary that Flair fell off the rope onto the back of her head during the commercial break. Flair goes for the Figure Eight in the middle of the ring but Bayley is at ringside breaks it up. Bayley gets on the ring apron and Asuka argues with her. Flair goes for a right hand onto Asuka but Asuka moves out of the way and she hits Bayley. Asuka rolls Flair up and gets the pin.
Winner: Asuka
After the match:
Bayley is laughing on the outside celebrating.
Backstage:
We cut backstage, Nick Aldis gives CM Punk his cntract and says to call him anytime. Aldis walks away and in comes Cody Rhodes. He tells Punk he heard what he said out there and it sounds like for him to finish his tory, he would need to win the Royal Rumble and it is interesting. Punk says it is. Cody says it is good to have him back old friend. They shake hands and Cody leaves the room.
-Commercial Break-
Backstage:
Randy Orton is backstage and in comes LA Knight. They go face to face and in comes CM Punk. He tells them good luck and walks away. Orton asks LA Knight if he is ready for tonight, LA Knight replies with “Yeah” and walks away.
They show a graphic stating that Roman Reigns will be on SmackDown next week.
Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso vs. Randy Orton and LA Knight
The bell rings and we are under way. Orton and Jimmy start the match. Orton with right hands and Jimmy pushes him in the corner. LA Knight tags himself in. He throws Jimmy to the ropes and hits him with a right hand. LA Knight runs to the ropes and Orton tags himself in. Orton gets in the ring and both men argue. Jimmy tags Solo into the match. Orton and Solo are face to face and Jimmy hits Orton from behind.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, Orton with a backdrop onto Jimmy in the middle of the ring. Solo and LA Knight are tagged in. LA Knight with punches onto Solo followed by a swinging neck breaker. LA Knight stomps on Solo in the corner and hits him with a running knee to the face. LA Knight hits Jimmy off the ring apron and Solo with a Solo slam. Solo with a right hand and he distracts the referee, Jimmy hits LA Knight with a right hand. Solo with a suplex. He goes for the cover but LA Knight kicks out. LA Knight in the corner. Solo runs towards LA Knight and slams into him. Jimmy is tagged back in and he hits LA Knight with a chop to the chest. Solo is tagged back in and they double team LA Knight and he is down in the corner. Solo goes for another splash in the corner but LA Knight moves out of the way. LA Knight climbs the second rope and he hits Solo with a bulldog. Orton is tagged in and as is Jimmy. Orton with right hands and a clothesline. He knocks Solo to the outside. Orton with a powerslam onto Jimmy and he falls to the outside. Orton slams Jimmy face first onto the announce table. Orton slams Jimmy onto the table. Orton throws Jimmy back into the ring and Jimmy rolls onto the ring apron. Orton gets him on the second rope and hits him with a DDT. Orton goes for the RKO but Solo hits Orton from behind. Solo goes for the Samoan Spike but LA Knight hits him with a DDT. Jimmy goes for a DDT but LA Knight catches his leg. He goes for the BFT but Orton hits Jimmy with the RKO. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winners: Randy Orton and LA Knight
After the match:
Orton and LA Knight shake hands after the match.
End of show
