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WWE SMACKDOWN TV REPORT
JANUARY 26, 2024
MIAMI, FL AT KASEYA CENTER
AIRED ON FOX
REPORT BY ALEX McDONALD, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Announcers: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
[HOUR ONE]
-They showed downtown Miami, FL as Michael Cole introduced the show.
-The Kabuki Warriors and Katana Chance and Kayden Carter were on split screen as the tag teams made their way into the arena ahead of their match tonight. Cole promoted the match.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I love that they shot this the way they did. It makes the match feel important even though it was less than a minute of emphasis.)
-Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Paul Heyman entered the arena as well. Corey Graves threw to a video package on last week’s main event segment involving the Bloodline, Randy Orton, L.A. Knight, and A.J. Styles. The video ended with Orton posing after taking out Roman Reigns with an RKO.
-Eladio Carrion made his entrance.
-The announce team sat ringside. Cole said he was here for one night only. Graves said the Royal Rumble is tomorrow.
-Carrion welcomed the crowd to Smackdown. He said he hopes everyone has an amazing time tonight. Carrion introduced Randy Orton.
-Orton made his entrance. They showed a graphic in the lower third of the screen for the Fatal Four Way match tomorrow at Royal Rumble. Cole mentioned that Reigns can lose the title without being pinned. Graves said that Reigns is preparing for his title match tomorrow and won’t be sleeping soundly tonight.
-Orton took the mic and stood in the center of the ring. He said he bets no one thought he was friends with Carrion. Orton thanked him for being in the music video. Orton asked the crowd to thank Carrion before he turned his attention to the Bloodline. He said they have had a hell of a run over the past few years. He said the main reason is because Reigns has been champion for almost 1,300 days. Orton said it’s unheard of and no one can stop them. He said no one can stop them, except, maybe, him. Orton said after all the dust settles tomorrow, only one number will matter, fifteen. Orton said after he wins tomorrow he will be a fifteen time World Champion. The crowd chanted for Orton. He said he’s going to do it by beating Reigns tomorrow with the RKO.
-A.J. Styles made his entrance. He asked if Orton knew there were other people in the match. He said Orton looked past him. Styles said he asked Nick Aldis for a match with Solo Sikoa, but Aldis gave the match to L.A. Knight instead. Styles said Knight stepped over his body to get everything he wanted in WWE. Styles got in the ring. He said Orton should know better than to forget about him. Styles said that he and Orton have history. Styles said after he took the RKO last week, Orton has a receipt coming. Styles said he’ll be stepping over Orton, Reigns, and Knight.
-L.A. Knight made his entrance. He stopped at the top of the stage. The crowd chanted for Knight. Knight told Styles to go ahead because Styles was about to say the name of the next champion. Knight said all Styles has done is complain. Knight told him to stop the crying. He said it’s a little convenient that there’s four men in the match tomorrow and he’s the only one with a match tonight. Knight said it’s because Paul Heyman views him as the biggest threat. Knight said he’ll hit Sikoa so hard he’ll do his Dad’s dance moves. Knight said he’ll go to Royal Rumble and walk over everyone that gets in the way of him becoming champion. Knight dropped the mic and walked up the ramp.
-Styles hit Orton with a Pele Kick and took him down. Knight looked back and Styles stood over Orton and pointed at Knight.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Paint by numbers segment to sow the dissension amongst the challengers ahead of the four way tomorrow night. Everyone harped on the same tropes they have for the last few weeks. They may have set up this match a week too early. Everything was fine, but no one really stood out, and it felt like a re-run.)
-The announce team sat ringside. They hyped the Fatal Four Way for tomorrow. Cole threw to a video recap of Santos Escobar’s attack on Carlito last November.
-Carlito made his entrance with Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde. They showed a graphic for Carlito against Escobar. Cole promoted the match for after the break. [c]
-Santos Escobar made his entrance with Angel and Humberto in tow.
(1) CARLITO (w/ Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, & Joaquin Wilde) vs. SANTOS ESCOBAR (w/ Angel & Humberto)
The bell rang twenty-one minutes into the hour. Carlito landed punches to Escobar and took him to the corner. Carlito stomped away at Escobar. Escobar answered with a chop. Carlito recovered and took Escobar to the corner again. Carlito pulled Escobar down by the hair. Carlito shot Escobar off the ropes and Escobar landed a kick. Carlito wasn’t fazed and took Escobar down. Carlito punched away at Escobar on the mat. Escobar countered and sent Carlito into the corner. Carlito dropped to the apron and Escobar went after him. Carlito fended Escobar off. Angel and Humberto distracted Carlito and Escobar hit a dive through the ropes onto Carlito on the outside. [c]
Back from break, Carlito fought out of a headlock. Escobar took Carlito down with a clothesline. Escobar made the cover for a two count. Escobar ripped Carlito’s shirt off. Escobar then ripped the tape off the shoulder of Carlito. Escobar grabbed Carlito’s arm and used the ropes to apply an armbar. Carlito retreated to the corner and Escobar charged to hit double knees. Escobar followed up with a Frankensteiner from the top rope and covered Carlito for a two count. Escobar pulled back on the arm and punched away at Carlito. Carlito fought to his feet and tried to fight free but Escobar pulled him back down. Escobar went back to the arm bar. Carlito got back to his feet and landed a big punch. Carlito took Escobar down twice and then hit a big dropkick. Carlito used a stalling suplex into a neckbreaker and then covered Escobar for a two count. Carlito followed up with a spinebuster. Carlito measured Escobar. Escobar landed an elbow. Carlito landed a running knee lift that took Escobar down. Humberto distracted the ref. Angel pulled Carlito to the outside. Wilde and Del Toro went after Angel and Humberto on the outside. Vega got on the apron but Elektra Lopez appeared and pulled her off the apron and threw her down. In the ring, Escobar rolled up Carlito for the win.
WINNER: Santos Escobar in 10:00
-Legado Del Fanatasma celebrated on the ramp as the L.W.O. looked on.
(McDonald’s Analysis: They built that match for a while to deliver something really underwhelming. They just didn’t seem to mesh well and I didn’t like that Escobar didn’t get that much offense until the end, where he used rest holds. Just not the best way to use Escobar with the hot run he’s been on lately. Anyway, the return of Lopez is interesting and adds another dynamic to the group that should help. I really like the new Legado and hopefully, they do something with Angel and Humberto.)
-Cole threw to a graphic on the news of Raw moving to Netflix starting in January of 2025. Cole then shared the news of The Rock joining the board at TKO.
-Styles was in the back. Jimmy Uso appeared. Jimmy said that everyone knows where Knight is going to be tonight. He asked Styles to help get rid of Knight so they don’t have to worry about him tomorrow. Jimmy said it’s good for Styles and the Bloodline. Jimmy told Styles to think about it and walked off. The O.C. appeared and asked Styles what he was talking to Jimmy about. Styles told them not to worry about it and walked off.
-They showed a graphic for Knight against Sikoa. Graves hyped the match as the main event.
-Cole talked up WWE 2k24 and then they showed a trailer for the game. [c]
-They showed a graphic for Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits against the Final Testament. Graves hyped the match for later in the show.
-Ava Raine was with Nick Aldis in the back. Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits appeared. There was a large gold tumbler. Lashley chose a number and appeared pleased with what he selected. Escobar then selected a number. Lashley told Escobar that they haven’t forgotten about him.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I love that they brought the tumbler back. It’s always been a cool touch. I wonder what number Lashley got that he was so happy about.)
-Cole threw to a video package on Bayley. Bayley talked about her injury, rehabbing, and forming Damage Ctrl. Bayley said the Kabuki Warriors are going to win the Women’s Tag Team titles tonight, and she’s going to win the Royal Rumble tomorrow. Bayley said it isn’t a story, it’s destiny.
(McDonald’s Analysis: I didn’t expect that package to take the turn that it did the way it started. I really thought it was going to be a more behind-the-scenes type look at Bayley to prepare for her face turn. It was good, overall, and I think Bayley really does a good job in this pre-taped interviews where she doesn’t feel the need to pause and antagonize the crowd.)
-The Kabuki Warriors made their entrance with Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky. Damage Ctrl stayed behind as Asuka and Kairi Sane made their way to the ring. Graves hyped the match for after the break. [c]
-The tumbler rolled in the back. R-Truth explained how to use the tumbler. Truth opened the tumbler and took out a ball. He exclaimed “oh no” and showed the ball to Raine and Aldis. Truth asked if he was going to have to quarantine. Aldis explained that it was his number for the Royal Rumble. Truth said ok, and informed “Mr. Pearce” that his hair grew very fast. Aldis didn’t respond.
-Katana Chance and Kayden Carter made their entrance. Formal ring introductions took place.
(2) KABUKI WARRIORS (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. KATANA CHANCE & KAYDEN CARTER (c) – Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Carter rolled up Asuka for a quick two count. Chance tagged in. Chance splashed Asuka and made another cover for a two count. Chance took down Asuka with an arm drag and Asuka rolled to the outside. Chance landed a plancha and took out Sane and Asuka on the outside. Chance and Carter posed as the show cut to break. [c]
Asuka and Sane double teamed Chance. Asuka made the cover for a two count. Asuka shoved Chance down. Chance fought back with a punch. Chance knocked Sane off the apron then moved as Asuka fell to the floor. Carter wasn’t on the apron as Chance moved toward the corner. Asuka hit the ring and grabbed Chance with an ankle lock. Chance tossed Asuka through the ropes and tagged in Carter. Carter came off the top rope and took down Asuka and Sane on the outside. Carter landed kicks to Sane and a splash to Asuka. Asuka went to the ring and Carter followed. Carter landed a kick and a springboard leg drop. Carter made the cover for a two count. Asuka fought free of Carter with elbows and a kick. Asuka landed double knees and then the Warriors hit a double kick after a tag to Sane. Sane made the cover but Chance broke the count. Sane took Carter down and then climbed to the top rope. Sane came off with an elbow drop but Carter got her feet up. Sane tagged in Asuka. Asuka missed a kick and Carter landed a modified facebuster. Chance made the tag and they hit a Keg Stand. Chance made the cover but Sane broke the count. Carter tagged back in and they set up for another double team. Chance jumped over Carter and Asuka and took down Sane with a crossbody. They rolled to the outside and Sane hit an Alabama Slam on Chance onto the announce table. In the ring, Carter rolled up Asuka for a two count. Asuka recovered and landed a kick. Asuka tagged in Sane and Sane hit the elbow drop and made the cover for the win.
WINNER: Kabuki Warriors in 10:00 to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships
(McDonald’s Analysis: Good fast paced match. They did a great job of making Carter and Chance look like a legitimate threat and they got in their signature spots. This was the first time they have been featured on Smackdown, so it was a great introduction to that audience. Really good stuff. They crammed a lot in to the ten minutes they had and all four women worked hard. Carter could have a real future.)
[HOUR TWO]
-Damage Ctrl came to ringside and they celebrated together as pyro exploded on the stage.
-Heyman was talking to Sikoa and Jimmy in the back. Heyman said that last week Sikoa solved the problem but he needs to fix the problem according to Roman Reigns. Heyman told him to fix the problem and not to be merciful. Sikoa walked off. Jimmy asked if Sikoa smirked and said it was scary. Heyman said that Reigns went from Big Dog to Tribal Chief because he saw the moment and seized it. He said that there’s a moment for Jimmy to seize. Heyman said there’s a champion on Raw with one leg. Heyman said that he wants to be a martyr and Jimmy needs to make him one. Heyman said that Jimmy needs to enter the Rumble and win, and then defeat Seth Rollins, and deliver the title to Reigns. He said that the line of succession to who is truly the Tribal Heir, all starts at the Rumble. Heyman walked off as Jimmy thought over what he said.
-Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits made their entrance. Graves hyped their match for after the break. [c]
-Bianca Belair was with Aldis and the tumbler. Belair had her number. Bayley appeared. Belair said she was going to be a two-time Rumble winner and walked off. Bayley picked her number and looked apprehensive.
-The Street Profits and Lashley were in the ring. Lashley took the mic. He said they’re chasing cowards again. Lashley introduced the Street Profits and himself. He said they didn’t come to Miami to play. He said they came to bring a fight. Lashley called out Final Testament and told them to come get some.
-Final Testament made their entrance with a new re-mixed entrance theme. Karrion Kross said that Lashley and the Profits are frustrated because things aren’t going to plan. Kross said that they were supposed to do this face to face, and he honored that agreement. Kross said Miami isn’t getting a fight tonight. Lashley said Kross lied because they are going to fight tonight. The Profits went after Final Testament and Scarlett jumped on the back of Lashley. Kross hit the ring and tossed Lashley into the post. A.O.P. powerbombed both Profits. Lashley tried to battle A.O.P. but he was overwhelmed. Kross took him down with a Kross Hammer. Final Testament left the ring and walked up the ramp.
-Aldis and Raine were in the back with the tumbler. Jimmy appeared and chose a number. Jimmy opened the number and looked dejected. He showed the number to Raine and Aldis.
-Austin Theory made his entrance with Grayson Waller. They showed a graphic for Theory against Carmelo Hayes. Cole hyped the match for after the break. [c]
-They showed footage of a brawl between Kevin Owens and Logan Paul at the Performance Center.
-Carmelo Hayes made his entrance. Graves mentioned that this match was stopped two weeks ago due to fear of injury. He said we would get a winner tonight.
(3) AUSTIN THEORY (w/ Grayson Waller) vs. CARMELO HAYES
Theory talked trash. Hayes landed punches then took Theory down with a dropkick. Hayes landed a chop and followed with a second. Theory landed a kick to the gut. He went for a back suplex but Hayes got free. Hayes came off the ropes and took Theory down with a forearm. Theory rolled to the outside. Theory walked up the steps and got back in the ring. He took Hayes down and then tossed him to the outside. Theory distracted the ref and Waller knocked Hayes down with a punch on the outside. [c]
Hayes landed a punch to Hayes and Hayes came off the ropes with a big clothesline. Hayes took Theory down and spun into a facebuster. Hayes made the cover for a two count. Hayes climbed to the second rope. Waller climbed to the apron and distracted Hayes. Theory pulled Hayes off the top rope and then delivered a modified slam. Theory made the cover for a two count. Theory lifted Hayes to his shoulders but Hayes got free. Waller distracted the ref from the apron and Hayes threw Theory into Waller. Hayes rolled up Theory but Theory reversed into a roll-up of his own for the win.
WINNER: Austin Theory in 7:00
-Waller went after Hayes. Hayes started to fight them off but Trick Williams ran down and made the save. Williams and Hayes shook hands.
(McDonald’s Analysis: Nowhere near as good as their first match. They hit some nice moves, but they only had seven minutes and the match never got going to be what many of us expected. Theory and Hayes is something worth visiting again down the road and they could have a really good match at a PLE with some more time. On top of that, the constant Waller interference was silly and they followed that up with a garbage finish. Just disappointing.)
-Cole hyped an upcoming match for Hayes and Williams in NXT. Cole and Graves then ran down the Royal Rumble card for tomorrow from St. Pete, FL. After that, Cole hyped the main event for tonight’s show.
-Kayla Braxton was in the back with Carrion. Carrion said it was a great experience for him tonight. Kayla asked who was going to win the title tomorrow. Carrion said Orton. Solo Sikoa appeared and stared Carrion down. Heyman and Jimmy stood behind Sikoa. Heyman said he was wrong and they walked off.
-L.A. Knight made his entrance. Cole and Graves hyped his match for after the break. [c]
-Solo Sikoa made his entrance with Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman.
(4) L.A. KNIGHT vs. SOLO SIKOA (w/ Paul Heyman & Jimmy Uso)
Knight ducked a punch and delivered punches of his own. Sikoa tossed Knight into the corner and pounded on him. Knight fought out of the corner with punches. Sikoa blocked a whip and tossed Knight to the apron. Knight hit a slingshot shoulder block that rocked Sikoa. Knight kicked at the leg of Sikoa and took him down. Knight hit a running low kick that knocked Sikoa to the outside. Knight went after Sikoa’s right hand and slammed it into the barricade, the announce table, and the steps. Sikoa landed a punch and tried to toss Knight into the ring post but Knight countered. Knight sent Sikoa into the ring post then wrapped his arm around it three times. Knight tossed Sikoa back into the ring and landed a shoulder block to the gut. Knight went for another slingshot but Sikoa landed a punch. Sikoa dumped Knight to the outside as the show cut to break. [c]
Knight hit a couple of clotheslines that rocked Sikoa. Knight went for a third but Sikoa caught him coming in and delivered a Samoan Drop. Sikoa beat on Knight in the corner. Knight fought out with an elbow. Knight landed a kick but Sikoa took him down with a clothesline. Knight retreated to the corner. Sikoa charged but Knight got his boot up. Knight climbed to the second rope and came off with a bulldog. Both men were down in the ring. The crowd chanted for Knight. Both men got to their feet and Knight landed punches. Knight finally took Sikoa down with a flying clothesline. Knight hit a Russian Leg Sweep and Sikoa went to the corner. Knight stomped away and then charged with a running knee. Jimmy jumped on the apron and Knight knocked him off. Knight went back to Sikoa and landed a DDT. Knight clotheslined Sikoa to the outside. Knight came through the ropes with a kick that sent Sikoa into the announce table. Knight slammed Sikoa into the announce table repeatedly. Knight hit a running knee to Sikoa that took him down. Styles came off the barricade with a Phenomenal Forearm to Knight and the ref called for the bell.
WINNER: No Contest in 9:00
-Jimmy got a chair as Styles took apart the announce table. The crowd chanted for Orton. Styles caught Jimmy with the chair. Jimmy set the chair down next to Styles. Jimmy told Styles to do what he has to do. Styles picked up the chair and stared down Jimmy. Sikoa walked over and told Styles to take care of it or Sikoa would take care of him. Styles hit Sikoa in the gut with the chair then hit him across the back. Styles hit Jimmy and threw him into the ring. Orton hit the ring. Orton powerslammed Jimmy and took down Styles. Sikoa pulled Orton to the outside and set up for a Rock Bottom. Orton fought out and hit a back suplex to Sikoa on the announce table. Orton removed his shirt and stood over Styles. Jimmy tried to run from the ring but Orton ran in and stopped him. Orton grabbed Jimmy and hit the Stalling DDT. Styles came off the top rope but Orton moved. Orton then hit Styles with the Stalling DDT. Orton posed in the ring and measured Styles. Orton took Styles down with the RKO. Orton posed in the middle of the ring as the crowd chanted his name. Cole asked if Orton would end Reigns’ title reign tomorrow night. Knight hit the ring and took Orton down with a BFT. Cole asked if L.A. Knight would win the title.
(McDonald’s Analysis: The ending sequence was good. I didn’t like the match at all. Way too much offense for Knight and Sikoa shouldn’t be getting his ass kicked an entire match and then again in the aftermath. Just a terrible way to position Sikoa at this juncture. I don’t like it at all. Aside from that, I think they just told us there’s a zero percent chance of Orton winning tomorrow, but for the casual fans, this is a tried and true trope that makes them think he could be champion. The attack from Knight was unexpected and really well done. The crowd didn’t know how to respond to it and they definitely seemed less enthusiastic for Knight tonight, in general. I expected to hear some kind of pop for the BFT, but it was more a stunned silence. I’m looking forward to this match tomorrow and I actually don’t mind the Fatal Four Way as much as others at the Torch. I think it will be fun even if the outcome is all but assured. Acknowledge our Tribal Chief. Enjoy the most fun PLE of the year tomorrow night.)
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