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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
DECEMBER 15, 2023
GREEN BAY, WI AT RESCH CENTER
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Announcers: Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick, Corey Graves
[HOUR ONE]
-The camera panned the crowd and Kevin Patrick introduced the show. He said that Roman Reigns would make his return tonight.
-Roman Reigns’ music played and he made his entrance with Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa. They posed at the top of the ramp as pyro exploded behind them. Michael Cole touted Reigns’ title run at 1,202 days. Patrick threw to a video recap of last week’s tag team main event. The video showed the finish with L.A. Knight and Randy Orton picking up the victory. A graphic appeared at the bottom of the screen for tonight’s match between Orton and Jimmy. Corey Graves promoted the match. Cole said the landscape of WWE has changed a lot since the last time we saw Reigns at Crown Jewel in November. Reigns posed again in the ring as another set of pyro exploded on the stage.
-Reigns stood in the middle of the ring flanked by Heyman, Jimmy, and Sikoa. Heyman handed Reigns the mic and celebrated when Reigns took it. Reigns addressed the crowd and asked them to acknowledge him. The crowd booed. Reigns smirked and looked around. Reigns told the crowd to shut their mouths. Reigns said he wouldn’t have had to ask if they kept the boos down. Reigns said he’s here to celebrate. He said it’s promotion season. Reigns said he’s a good boss and a fair Tribal Chief. Reigns said when someone’s doing well, they let them know. Reigns said that tonight is about one man. He said this man has bent over backwards and has done everything for the family over the last year or so. Reigns said this man is the next in line if anything happens to him. Jimmy celebrated behind Reigns. The crowd chanted for Randy Orton. Reigns said it isn’t for Orton. Reigns said this man is going to be responsible for the Bloodline and the next Tribal Chief. Reigns turned to Jimmy and told him to join him in congratulating Solo Sikoa. Reigns turned and hugged Sikoa. He told Sikoa he loved him. Jimmy looked dejected and fell back in line.
-Randy Orton made his entrance. Reigns stared Orton down as Orton walked toward the ring. [c]
(McDonald’s Analysis: Good start to the show without having us wait for Reigns. Everyone saw the Sikoa reveal coming, but watching Jimmy get excited just to be letdown was a treat. We still don’t have a complete picture of how Reigns feels about Jimmy, but we at least know he’s behind Sikoa on the pecking order. It’s a start, but not groundbreaking given their wins and losses as of late.)
-Orton got on the apron and stared down Reigns before he entered the ring. Orton, with a mic in hand, stood opposite Reigns and the Bloodline. The crowd chanted for Orton. Orton said he’s been thinking about this moment for eighteen months. He said he’s been thinking about what he’ll do and what he’ll say. Orton said he’s coming for Reigns and that’s all he needs to say. Orton said that Reigns took eighteen months from him so he’s going to take everything from Reigns. Orton said it starts tonight and ends at the Royal Rumble. Orton challenged Reigns to a title match at the Rumble. The crowd chanted for Orton.
-Reigns smirked and looked at the crowd as they chanted “RKO”. Reigns said the fans think Orton deserves it. Reigns said Orton has thought about him for eighteen months and Reigns hasn’t thought about Orton at all. Reigns said since Orton has been gone for so long, he hasn’t done anything to earn the title shot. Reigns said everyone thinks they can just show up and get a title match. Reigns said it isn’t 2007 anymore and he’s levels above Orton and everyone else. Reigns told Orton to listen to the voices in his head and leave. Reigns said after a match with Reigns, it will be retirement for Orton.
-Orton said that maybe Reigns is right. He said that he sees that Reigns has changed and evolved for the better. Orton said that Reigns is now a legend. He said that he’s also changed and evolved, but he will always be the Legend Killer. The crowd cheered. Orton went for an RKO and Reigns escaped. Reigns looked shocked. Orton said that Reigns should start thinking about him. Orton said he’s hearing something from the voices in his head. Orton said the voices told him that Reigns may have crapped his pants. Orton said they also said that “Daddy’s back”. Orton dropped the mic and left the ring. Reigns was frustrated in the ring and pointed to Orton and talked trash.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Not much to it, but they got some of the past issues out of the way. Reigns didn’t outright accept the match, but Orton got under his skin enough to entice Reigns into accepting to exact revenge. It feels a little formulaic with Reigns at this point, but it makes sense. Reigns shouldn’t feel too threatened by Orton, but the RKO out of nowhere is always perceived as a threat and Reigns sold it well. They have plenty of time between now and the Rumble, so there’s no need to rush into anything. I hope they ramp up the build a little bit and go with more than lame “crap your pants” jokes moving forward. I expected more intensity from Orton in this spot, but the smugness was fine for now. I just hope we see the old, intense Orton at some point.)
-The announce team sat ringside. Patrick said that Orton’s quest starts tonight as he’ll take on Jimmy in the main event. Graves then previewed the first round of the United States Championship Tournament. Cole then threw to a video package on Carmelo Hayes, who was selected by Shawn Michaels to be in the tournament.
-Grayson Waller made his entrance. [c]
-Carmelo Hayes made his entrance. Patrick mentioned that Hayes was selected by Shawn Michaels. Patrick threw to a message from Logan Paul. Paul said Hayes must have won an essay contest to get this match. Paul said that he hasn’t followed any of Hayes career. Paul told Hayes that it would be his only match in a Smackdown ring.
(1) GRAYSON WALLER vs. CARMELLO HAYES – United States Championship Tournament First Round Match
They locked up and Waller put on a headlock. Waller shot Hayes off the ropes. Hayes rolled over Waller’s back and then took him down with a dropkick. Hayes took Waller down by the arm. Waller did exercises before Hayes slammed him back down. Waller landed a big right hand and took Hayes to the corner. Hayes countered and landed a chop. Waller blocked a whip and kicked Hayes in the gut. Hayes countered Waller with a roll up. Waller kicked out and landed a superkick. Waller put Hayes in a neck vise and landed knees. Waller sent Hayes to the corner and charged. Hayes got his legs up but Waller caught him. Hayes recovered and landed a kick on Waller in the corner. Hayes followed up with the Fadeaway and Waller rolled to the outside. Hayes slid to the outside as Waller slid in. They traded spots again then Hayes went to the ring and Waller followed. Hayes landed a dropkick and then clotheslined Waller over the top rope to the outside. Hayes posed in the ring. [c]
Waller had Hayes in a neck vise as Hayes tried to fight out. Hayes got free and whipped Waller. Hayes leapt over Waller and Waller went to the outside. Hayes sold his knee. Waller hit the ring and landed a rolling flatliner. Waller made the cover for a two count. Hayes recovered and landed shots on Waller in the corner. Hayes splashed Waller in the corner followed by a spin kick and a facebuster. Hayes made the cover for a two count. Hayes posed and measured Waller. Hayes went to the second rope but Waller pulled him down. Waller landed a rolling Fameasser from the second rope. Waller made the cover for a two count. Waller lifted to Hayes to his shoulders but Hayes shifted and used a victory roll for a near fall. Hayes landed a kick followed by a springboard DDT. Hayes made the cover for another two count. Waller went to the outside. Hayes reached for Waller but Waller slammed Hayes’ arm against the ropes. Waller rolled into the ring but Hayes countered with the First 48. Hayes went to the top rope and landed Nothing But Net for the win.
WINNER: Carmello Hayes in 11:00 to advance to the second round of the United States Championship Tournament
-Patrick said that Hayes will face the winner of the match between Kevin Owens and Austin Theory.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Solid match but it got off to a bit of a rough start. The crowd didn’t seem familiar with Hayes and didn’t seem to care about this match at all. They got into it as it went on and the pace picked up, which is a good sign. I didn’t expect Hayes to get the win here, but it works. He looked good and was able to get all his big spots in. Anyone who had high hopes for Waller should temper their expectations at this point. This loss further defined him down and showed exactly where he is on the pecking order of Smackdown. Luckily for him, they have high hopes for Theory, so having them together will at least give Waller a solid spot on the show for now. It’s a shame, because Waller probably could be more, but it seems that WWE has no interest in that.)
-Orton was in the back. He bumped into L.A. Knight. Knight asked when he should make the save tonight. Orton said he didn’t need Knight’s help. Knight said they both know how the numbers work. Orton said he feels like they’re good after their win last week. Orton told Knight to stay out of his way. Knight said he wants to take everything away from Reigns before anyone else.
-Kevin Owens made his entrance. Owens wore a cast on his hand to sell the injury from two weeks ago. They showed a graphic for Owens against Austin Theory. Graves promoted the match and said it would be after the break. [c]
-Owens was in the ring. Patrick threw to a video recap of Owens’ interaction with Logan Paul two weeks ago. The video then focused on Owens’ match and how he sustained the hand injury.
-Austin Theory made his entrance. Patrick threw to another message from Paul. Paul said that Owens dresses like a fifth grader that takes dodgeball too seriously. They showed the brackets for the tournament so far.
(2) KEVIN OWENS vs. AUSTIN THEORY – United States Championship Tournament First Round Match
Owens put Theory in a headlock. Theory tried to shoot Owens off the ropes but Owens hung on. Theory shot Owens off and Owens took Theory down with a shoulder block. Owens got an armdrag and stayed on the arm of Theory. Theory got free and landed a punch. Owens rolled Theory up for a quick two count. Theory recovered and beat on Owens in the corner. Owens took Theory down and followed up with a senton. Theory went to the corner and Owens charged but Theory rolled to the floor. Owens went to the apron as Theory climbed up. Theory landed a kick and set up for a suplex but Owens blocked. Owens landed a kick of his own and knocked Theory to the floor. Owens came off with a cannonball and took Theory down. Theory slammed Owens’ hand on the top rope and then rolled into a dropkick. Theory took Owens to the apron and landed a modified suplex. Owens was down on the outside as the show cut to break. [c]
Owens and Theory battled on the top rope. Owens knocked Theory to the mat and then came off with a Frog Splash. Owens made the cover for a two count. Owens stayed on the attack and went for a Swanton Bomb off the top rope but Theory got his knees up. Theory made the cover for a two count. Theory stomped away at Owens. Owens countered Theory with a big boot. Owens took Theory down and stomped away at him. Owens landed a kick and took Theory down with a shoulder block. Owens landed an inverted atomic drop and followed up with a DDT. Owens made the cover for a two count. Owens went for a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Theory countered. Owens was able to take Theory down and make another cover for another two count. Owens charged Theory in the corner but Theory got a boot up. Theory put Owens on the top rope and leapt up into a springboard Spanish Fly. Theory made the cover for a two count. Theory lifted Owens to the top rope. Theory set up for a superplex but Owens countered into a Fisherman Buster. Theory rolled to the outside. Owens followed Theory out as he sold his hand. Theory recovered and crotched Owens on the barricade. Theory got into the ring as Owens was in the timekeeper’s area. The ref counted. Owens broke the count just before ten. Theory rolled into a Blockbuster and made the cover for a two count.
[HOUR TWO]
Owens pulled himself up in the corner but Theory stayed on the attack. Theory took Owens to the top rope. Owens got free and crotched Theory on the top rope. Theory fell into a Tree of Woe. Owens landed a cannonball and followed up with the Swanton Bomb off the top rope. Theory was able to kick out at two. Both men got to their feet. Owens went for a Stunner but Theory grabbed the broken hand and kicked it. Theory took Owens to the outside and slammed his hand against the steps. Theory took Owens back into the ring. Owens landed a punch with his cast and covered Theory for the win.
WINNER: Kevin Owens in 14:00 to advance to the second round of the United States Championship Tournament
(McDonald’s Analysis: I always hate when a wrestler sells an injury for an entire match before realizing his cast is a weapon. If the cast hurts so much, then why didn’t Theory hurt his hand when he hit Owens earlier? It’s just dumb and makes it seem like the guy wearing the cast didn’t realize it was hard. Just super dumb. The match was actually really good outside of that. This was much better than the squash match they had a month or so ago. This is more of what I had in mind when Owens moved to Smackdown and started the feud with Theory. The finish sucked, but everything up to that was a highlight and really good.)
-Owens celebrated as Theory was down in the ring. Graves previewed the second round match between Owens and Hayes. Patrick mentioned that match would be on next week’s show.
-Reigns was in the back with the Bloodline. Reigns said it was supposed to be a celebration and Orton ruined it. Reigns said that someone has to shut Orton’s mouth. Jimmy said he could silence Orton but it sounds like a job for the Tribal Heir. Reigns said it’s promotion season and if Jimmy handles Orton, he could get anything. Jimmy said “yeet” and Reigns glared at him. Jimmy said “no yeet”.
-They showed a graphic for Jimmy against Orton. Patrick promoted the match as the main event of the show. [c]
-They showed the Green Bay Packers in the first row.
-Karrion Kross was in a video package. He said there’s a world event about to occur. Kross said we’re at the threshold and everything is about to crumble. Kross asked if we could see it yet. He said that soon, we will.
(McDonald’s Analysis: The video package was cool and well done, but Kross never does anything so it doesn’t really mean much. If Kross won every once in a while, these packages would carry more weight. Until that happens, these are just empty promises.)
-Owens was in the back selling his hand. Cameron Grimes said he wished he could punch Theory just like that. Kayla Braxton approached and asked Owens about his match with Hayes next week. Owens said he was like Hayes at one point. Owens said he knows that Hayes is talented and right next to him. Hayes appeared. He said that Owens has done it all and won it all, but Hayes needs it more than Owens. Hayes said he’s not like Theory or Waller and Owens won’t “little bro” him. Hayes walked off. Owens asked Kayla what “little bro’ing” someone was.
-They showed a recap of the move that injured Charlotte Flair last week. Patrick said she would be out of action for some time.
-Bayley was in a video package. She said we just saw why she created Damage Ctrl. Bayley said they wanted to rule WWE. Bayley said she knew that Iyo Sky was special from the beginning. Sky spoke in Japanese with subtitles. Asuka then spoke with subtitles and said that no one is ready for Damage Ctrl. Dakota Kai said it’s their time. Bayley said they’re going to enter the Royal Rumble and take Rhea Ripley’s title. Bayley said that finally her dream would be fulfilled.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Really good video package. They should do more of this with Damage Ctrl so Kai and Bayley don’t feel compelled to insult the crowd over and over again.)
-Asuka and Kairi Sane made their entrance. Zelina Vega and Michin attacked them from behind on the ramp. Michin and Vega entered the ring and taunted Asuka and Sane. [c]
(3) KABUKI WARRIORS (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. ZELINA VEGA & MICHIN
Sane beat on Michin on the apron. Asuka knocked Michin to the floor with a running hip attack. Sane came off the apron and took Michin down on the outside. Dakota Kai was now at ringside. In the ring, Asuka and Sane landed kicks and double teamed Michin. Sane landed a sliding elbow on Michin in the corner. Sane came off the top rope with a flying forearm. Sane made the cover for a two count. Asuka tagged in and slammed Michin with Sane. They landed a double sliding kick. Asuka made the cover for a two count. Asuka went to the arm of Michin. Asuka slammed Michin down by her hair. Asuka covered Michin again for another two count. Asuka landed a series of strikes but Michin countered with a backslide for a two count. Michin got another roll up but Asuka escaped and landed an elbow. Asuka made the cover for a two count. Asuka went for a suplex but Michin blocked and landed a suplex of her own. Michin tried to tag Vega but Sane held her back after a tag. Michin got free and tagged in Vega. Vega went after Sane and knocked Asuka off the apron. Vega took Sane down and made the cover for a two count. Vega landed a DDT and played to the crowd. Vega went for a 619 but Sane moved and landed a spinning back fist. Asuka tagged in and put Vega in the Asuka Lock. Vega rolled into a pin for a two count. Michin tagged in. Asuka missed a kick and Michin connected with a headbutt. Michin hit a package suplex and made the cover but Sane broke the count. Vega went after Sane on the outside but Sane landed a big punch and flung Vega into the announce table with an Alabama Slam. In the ring, Michin landed a series of kicks to Asuka. Michin went to the top rope but Kai distracted the ref. Bayley appeared and knocked Michin off the top rope. Asuka landed a kick and tagged in Sane. Sane hit the elbow drop off the top rope and made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Kabuki Warriors in 6:00
-Damage Ctrl celebrated on the ramp.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Standard match and about what you would expect. After the package and the perfectly timed interference, it feels like they dropped the dissension angle again. I really wish they would decide on one direction or another for this group and just stick with it. They came off as a unit for the first time in a long time. I also appreciated the nod to Asuka and Sane being a team in the past. Usually, they would ignore something like that. I’m glad they didn’t.)
-Jimmy and Sikoa were in the back. Jimmy said that Heyman and Reigns have been talking for longer than usual and it doesn’t feel right. Jimmy said it feels like a set-up. Jimmy asked Sikoa if Sikoa would tell him if something was going to happen to him. Sikoa said he’s Jimmy’s brother. Jimmy looked satisfied with the answer.
-They showed a graphic for Orton against Jimmy. Patrick said the match is after the break. [c]
-They showed a video package on Santos Escobar. Escobar talked about his last chance at the U.S. title and how Rey Mysterio betrayed him. Escobar mentioned that he took out Mysterio. Escobar then talked about Bobby Lashley. Escobar said that when he’s done with Lashley, he won’t want to show his face on Smackdown again. Escobar said he’s going to win the tournament and beat Paul to be the new champion.
-Lashley was with the Street Profits in the back. Lashley said that Paul is the U.S. champion and there’s a tournament with a bunch of wrestlers Paul thinks he can beat. Lashley said he has Escobar next week. The Profits took turns saying that Escobar doesn’t have a chance. Lashley said that Escobar is just standing in his way.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I really like that they went out of their way to give both of these guys promos before their match next week. The different settings also helped. The renewed focus on Escobar has been a welcome change and I feel like he has a character for the first time on Smackdown. The promos made this tournament feels like it matters. It’s little things like this that really help. As annoying as Paul is, his sent in videos also help the tournament in the long run.)
-Patrick and Graves promoted the second round of the tournament next week on Smackdown. Afterwards, Cole promoted an NXT North American title match between Dragon Lee and Butch next week. Patrick then hyped an eight woman tag team match.
-Randy Orton made his entrance.
-Jimmy Uso made his entrance.
(4) RANDY ORTON vs. JIMMY USO
Orton kicked Jimmy in the gut and tossed him into the corner. Orton pulled Jimmy through the ropes and set up the DDT but Jimmy got free and rolled to the outside. Jimmy called a timeout as the show cut to break. [c]
Back from break, Jimmy begged for mercy as Orton stared him down. Orton lifted Jimmy and slammed him on the announce table. Orton tossed Jimmy into the ring. Orton made the cover for a two count. Orton went to the arm of Jimmy. Jimmy got to his feet but Orton wrenched the arm. Jimmy landed a punch and followed with a headbutt. Jimmy charged Orton in the corner but Orton landed an elbow. Orton took Jimmy to the opposite corner and climbed to the second rope to hammer Jimmy with punches. The crowd counted along. Jimmy slumped in the corner after the tenth punch. Orton stomped on Jimmy. Orton choked Jimmy with the middle rope. Jimmy went for a kick but Orton caught it. Jimmy got spun around but landed another kick. Jimmy punched away at Orton in the corner. Jimmy backed off and stalked Orton. Jimmy charged and hit the running butt bump to Orton. Jimmy made the cover for a two count. Jimmy pulled at Orton’s face against the middle rope. Jimmy broke at the five count then went back to it. Jimmy climbed to the second rope on Orton in the corner. Jimmy landed punches of his own. Orton poked Jimmy in the eye. Orton set up Jimmy for the hanging DDT but Jimmy blocked and tossed Orton to the floor. Orton sold his knee as the show cut to break. [c]
Orton punched at Jimmy but Jimmy landed a kick. Orton recovered and took Jimmy down with a clothesline. Jimmy avoided a snap slam but Orton recovered and got one anyway. Jimmy hung up Orton on the top rope. Orton caught Jimmy with a kick and finally landed the hanging DDT. Orton measured Jimmy and readied for the RKO. Sikoa’s music hit and distracted Orton. Sikoa appeared on the stage. Knight’s music hit and he appeared behind Sikoa. Knight attacked Sikoa and made his way toward the ring. In the ring, Orton hit the RKO on Jimmy and made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Randy Orton in 14:00
-Orton and Knight looked at each other. Knight pointed at his wrist. Reigns ran down the ramp and took Knight down. The crowd booed as Reigns stood over Knight. Reigns stared down Orton as Orton readied himself in the ring. Heyman held up the title behind Reigns. An official talked to Reigns and Reigns balked at him. Reigns hit the ring. Orton landed punches but Reigns answered. Orton took the advantage but Jimmy took Orton down from behind. Reigns locked Orton in the guillotine and Jimmy stomped away. Knight hit the ring and went after Jimmy. Sikoa took Knight down. Reigns recovered and punched away at Orton. Sikoa beat on Knight. Reigns turned his attention to Knight.
-A.J. Styles’ music played but he wasn’t on the ramp. Styles came off the ropes with a Phenomenal Forearm on Reigns. Knight and Orton recovered and knocked the Bloodline to the outside. The Bloodline were on the outside and tried to regroup as Knight, Orton, and Styles stood tall in the ring. Styles attacked Knight and took him down with a clothesline. Orton looked at Styles in disbelief. Styles got on the apron and stared down Reigns. Styles walked past the Bloodline and up the ramp.
-Reigns took the title from Heyman and held it up for Knight and Orton to see.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Some miscues on Jimmy’s part, but overall a solid match. Interesting angle at the end with the return of Styles. At first, I thought we might be on the way to an interesting four-way for the title at the Rumble. After Styles’ attack on Knight, I’m not so sure. That came out of nowhere, but Smackdown needs heels that aren’t the Bloodline, and Styles makes sense for that role. A feud between Styles and Knight could be interesting if the circumstances are right. I have no idea what the explanation for this will be, but I assume it will have something to do with Knight taking Styles’ place in the match with Cena against the Bloodline. Styles could frame it as Knight taking everything that he would have gotten if he hadn’t been out injured. That’s the most logical direction, anyway. Good show. The tournament matches held some weight and gave us some good wrestling and we had a solid main event with a consequential angle at the end. On top of all that, they’re starting to set things up for Rumble season, whether it be the title match, or just some feuds for the Rumble itself. Good stuff.)
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