WWE SmackDown: Season Premiere Results
October 7, 2022
Worcester, Massachusetts (DCU Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We go live into the DCU Center to see Triple H in the ring! Triple H gets a huge reception. This is his first time appearing on WWE television since taking over WWE creative from Vince McMahon in July 2022. A LOUD “Triple H” chant picks up. Triple H says there will come a time when you believe that everything is finished, but that is the beginning. Triple H says, “Welcome to FOX and welcome to the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown!”
A QR code is shown on his microphone. It directs you to a video of a cartoon pig with “Let me in” said over and over again.
Roman Reigns’ music hits. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion makes his way to the ring alongside The Bloodline. The Bloodline consists of Reigns as the Head of the Table and Tribal Chief, “The Wise Man” Paul Heyman, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and “The Honorary Uce” Sami Zayn.
While the Bloodline makes their way to the ring, Michael Cole introduces Wade Barrett as his new partner at the commentary desk.
Video: The confrontation between Roman Reigns and Logan Paul at the WWE Crown Jewel press conference in Las Vegas.
The crowd buzzes as the Bloodline stands in the ring. Paul Heyman hands a microphone to Roman Reigns. Reigns says, “Wooster, Mass… acknowledge me!” The crowd pops big for that. The Bloodline poses.
Logan Paul’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring to boos from the crowd. Paul stands on the apron. Reigns chuckles and says he gets it. There’s a bunch of them in the ring, but this is Reigns’ show. That means Paul is his guest. This is a safe place. They want to hear what Paul has to say, but it’s important that he hears what they have to say as well.
Paul decides to get in the ring. A loud “Logan sucks” chant fires up. Reigns says the crowd did that to him years ago, and he’s the greatest of all time now. That’s why it’s important for Logan Paul to come out here because they can teach him a lot of things. Reigns tells “The Wise Man” to smarten Paul up. Heyman says as Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, the Undisputed World Champion of all sports entertainment, Roman Reigns, he also serves as Wise Man and drops some pearls of wisdom. His Tribal Chief asked him the other day who in the hell Logan Paul is. It hit him in the head just like Anderson Silva will hit his brother Jake Paul in the head when they fight. Paul is this generation’s version of Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper. Paul is the outside celebrity that’s number one on all pop culture platforms that they bring in to bring more eyeballs to their product, which also means millions of people that will end up dropping down to their knees and worshipping at the Altar of the Island of Relevancy, which means they all get to acknowledge “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns.
They tried to figure out which celebrity will get smashed by Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. They thought about Jordan Peterson, but he’d never have the balls to fight Roman Reigns. Maybe Ben Shapiro who talks so fast that no one can debate him. Heyman would love to have an open mic night with Shapiro on SmackDown. Shapiro wears a yamulka and doesn’t have the balls to fight Roman Reigns. Then there’s Andrew Tate, but the less said about him, the better. Andrew Tate would never have the balls to fight Roman Reigns.
Who does that leave? Jake Paul’s schmucky brother. The impulsive boyfriend that has the balls to step up and provide his YouTube audience with the experiential moment of being smashed by Roman Reigns in Riyadh. While he’s in the hospital with a breathing tube and a catheter, which he hopes they put in the right holes, Logan Paul will be able to create content about being smashed by Roman Reigns. At that moment, he won’t be offering a prediction. He’ll be offering a spoiler.
Logan Paul says he won’t argue with that. Paul Heyman is a wise man, but he does have one question. When he says that he’ll get smashed by The Tribal Chief, does he mean “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns or “The Tribal Chief” Jey Uso? Jey takes exception to that as Reigns sighs in frustration. Paul shouts back at Jey. An “Uso” chant breaks out. Reigns stares at Jey Uso to calm him down. Sami Zayn grabs a microphone to a huge reception. Zayn tells Reigns and Jey to take a deep breath. Roman is the Head of the Table. He is the G.O.A.T. and the Tribal Chief. Nobody here is questioning that. Nobody is challenging that. This is his family. Jey Uso did nothing wrong. The only person doing anything around here is this wannabe, this fink, this pretender, this YouTuber that wants to be a WWE Superstar who doesn’t realize that he’ll get smashed worse than anyone ever at Crown Jewel. They have a saying in the Bloodline about twos and ones. Paul is the biggest two of them all. Zayn says Paul will wind up as a number two stain on the bottom of Reigns’ shoe at Crown Jewel. The Bloodline will be stronger than ever and more united than ever because they are the ones. The Bloodline poses as Paul walks off.
Coming up next, Solo Sikoa faces Ricochet.
-Commercial Break-
Later tonight, Gunther will put the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line against Sheamus in a rematch from WWE Clash at the Castle. This will be tonight’s main event.
Solo Sikoa vs. Ricochet
As Ricochet makes his entrance, Solo Sikoa avalanches him. Veteran referee Charles Robinson backs Sikoa up and checks on Ricochet. Ricochet gives the “all clear” to start the match.
Ricochet slides through the legs and does a backflip, but Sikoa easily clotheslines him down. Sikoa charges, but Ricochet pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Ricochet then connects with a suicide dive. Ricochet gets Sikoa in the ring and hits a cross-body block, followed by a springboard moonsault for a near fall. Sikoa rolls out of the ring to recover. Sikoa gets on the apron, but Ricochet hits a springboard dropkick to knock him to the floor. Ricochet teases a dive and poses. Sikoa is furious and takes his time getting into the ring. Sikoa gets in the ring, but Ricochet cuts him off and knees him in the face. Sikoa flips out and punches the commentary table before grabbing a steel chair. Sikoa thinks better of it before throwing it aside. Sikoa is still fired up. Sikoa gets on the apron and snaps Ricochet’s neck off the top rope.
Sikoa attacks Ricochet and whips him sternum-first into the turnbuckles. Sikoa chops the chest. Ricochet fights back and whips him to the corner. Ricochet charges, but Sikoa drops him on the apron. Ricochet knocks Sikoa back and goes for a springboard, but Sikoa punches him off the ropes to the floor!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Sikoa applying a nerve hold. Replays are shown of the vicious bump Ricochet took before the commercial break. Ricochet fights up, but Sikoa punches him back. Sikoa goes for a hip attack, but Ricochet dropkicks him down. Ricochet fights back with punches and kicks. Sikoa reverses a whip, but Ricochet ducks a clothesline and hits a running hurricanrana. Ricochet hits a running shoulder in the corner and does a springboard, but Sikoa moves. Ricochet quickly comes back with some knees to the face and a kick to the face. Ricochet then hits a spin kick to finally take him down. Ricochet goes to the top rope for a shooting star press, but Sikoa catches him midair and hits the Spinning Solo for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Solo Sikoa
We go backstage to see The Bloodline. Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are watching the match when they turn over to Sami Zayn sitting between The Usos. Jey Uso takes exception to Sami Zayn saying that Solo Sikoa is a great addition to the Bloodline. Zayn tells Jey not to be such a hothead. Reigns says that Jey is a hothead. It’s been a problem their whole lives. Now it’s Zayn’s problem. Zayn looks surprised and says, “Ok.” Jey sneers at him.
Hit Row is walking backstage. They’ll be in action next.
-Commercial Break-
The Usos and Sami Zayn are walking backstage when they come across The New Day. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods tease Jey Uso about Sami Zayn being his boss. Zayn tells them to find a partner, and they can settle this in the ring. The New Day accepts. Jey Uso is furious and walks off.
As Hit Row makes their entrance, they’re attacked by Legado del Fantasma. Santos Escobar, wearing a mask, dropkicks Adonis. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro hit Top Dolla with a double dropkick. They continue to attack. B-Fab checks on Top Dolla before Zelina Vega comes off the top rope with a missile dropkick. Vega knees B-Fab in the face. Del Toro and Wilde hit Top Dolla with a double-team splash. They all remove their masks. Zelina Vega says she is back. Santos Escobar says they are Legado del Fantasma, and this show is theirs. Stay safe.
The White Rabbit video plays and says it is coming tomorrow night at Extreme Rules.
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
Sonya Deville and Xia Li vs. Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez
Shotzi starts the match against Sonya Deville. Wade Barrett called her “Shotzi Blackheart.” Xia Li distracts Shotzi, and Deville attacks her for a two-count. Xia Li tags in and chops Shotzi’s chest. Li hits an exploder for a two-count. Deville tags in, and they go for a double-team suplex, but Shotzi lands on her feet. They quickly take her down. Rodriguez runs in to help. They send Rodriguez out of the ring. Rodriguez soon tags in and hits a shoulder block on them both. Rodriguez hits Deville with a fallaway slam followed by a Vader Bomb elbow drop. Shotzi hits Li with Sliced Bread #2. Rodriguez hits Deville with the Tejana Bomb for the victory.
Winners by Pinfall: Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez
Tweets from former Intercontinental Champions are shown where they talk about their excitement about Gunther vs. Sheamus tonight.
Sheamus is backstage with the Brawling Brutes, preparing for his match.
-Commercial Break-
Video Package: SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules Match tomorrow night.
Karrion Kross makes his entrance alongside Scarlett. As Kross stands in the ring, Drew McIntyre sneaks up behind him. McIntyre lays him out and puts the leather strap around his wrist. They will have a Strap Match tomorrow night at Extreme Rules. Security quickly runs down to pull him off. McIntyre quickly lays them out, but Kross recovers and uses the strap to pull McIntyre’s face into the ring post. Kross does it again and starts smacking McIntyre on the back with the strap! Kross takes his time at first before really going off with the strap shots. McIntyre’s back is swelling with welts. Kross stands tall while McIntyre writhes in pain. McIntyre eventually gets to his feet and seethes in fury.
-Commercial Break-
A vignette airs highlighting the return of The Viking Raiders. A female’s voice is heard.
The New Day’s mystery partner is…
Braun Strowman.
6-Man Tag Team Match
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Sami Zayn vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and Braun Strowman
Sami Zayn will start against Xavier Woods. They lock up, and Woods whips him off. Zayn shoulder tackles him down and poses with The Usos. They lock up, and Woods applies a side headlock. Zayn whips him off, but Woods comes back with a shoulder tackle. Kofi Kingston tags in and hits a springboard cross-body block for a two-count. Kingston sends Zayn into the ropes, but he ducks some clotheslines. Zayn then hard tags Jey Uso in. Jey is not happy. Jey gets in the ring, and he eats a dropkick from Kingston. Jimmy Uso runs in, but Woods sends him out of the ring. Woods and Kingston hit the ropes and hit stereo dives on The Usos.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Jimmy punching away at Kingston. A “We want Braun” chant picks up. Jey tags in and stomps away at Kingston. Jey splashes him against the ropes and tags Jimmy back in. Jimmy hits an avalanche for a two-count. Jimmy hits a stomp to the hand and tags Zayn in. “The Honorary Uce” kicks Kingston in the ribs and punches him. Zayn sends Kingston into the ropes and clotheslines him. Jey hard tags in. Jey takes Kingston down for a near fall. Jey attacks Kingston, and Jimmy gets a cheap shot in. Jimmy tags in and punches Kingston in the midsection. Jimmy tags Zayn into the match. Zayn punches Kingston in the midsection and holds him up. Zayn goes to tag Jey. Jey thinks about it before tagging in. Jey attacks Kingston and refuses to high-five Zayn. Jimmy tags in, and they hit a wishbone split. Zayn and Jey start to argue. Kingston nearly makes a tag, but Jimmy stops it. Jimmy knocks Woods off the apron, but Kingston takes him down.
Braun Strowman tags in and runs over everyone. Strowman big boots Jimmy and avalanches him in the corner twice. Strowman rips his shirt off. The crowd is going crazy. Strowman hits a chokeslam. Zayn and Jey continue to argue at ringside. Kingston tags in. Strowman goes outside and hits Zayn and Jey with the Strowman Express. Michael Cole is taken out in the exchange! The New Day hits Jimmy with a backbreaker/diving stomp combo for the victory! The Bloodline has been beaten tonight!
Winners by Pinfall: The New Day and Braun Strowman
Backstage, we see ma.çé and mån.sôör laid out. Maxxine Dupri runs up to Max Dupri and says she’s had it with him. He says he gave them gold, and they turned it into trash. He’s not Max Dupri. He’s LA Knight!
WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther is shown backstage. The main event is next.
-Commercial Break-
Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are shown backstage. Seated behind them in the crowd is a White Rabbit.
Next week on SmackDown, we’ll see Sami Zayn take on Kofi Kingston. We’ll also see LA Knight battle mån.sôör.
Replays are shown of Gunther laying out Sheamus last week on SmackDown.
Both Sheamus and Gunther send their respective groups to the back.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Sheamus vs. Gunther (c)
The bell rings, and they start throwing stiff forearms at each other. Gunther chops him, so Sheamus drops him with a clothesline. Gunther rolls out of the ring. Sheamus goes to leave the ring, but Gunther sweeps the feet. Sheamus whips Gunther into the barricade before sending him into the LED barricade. Sheamus then sends Gunther over the commentary table.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Sheamus clotheslines Gunther. Sheamus snaps him off the top rope and goes to the top rope. Sheamus hits a diving clothesline. Sheamus’ chest is bleeding, and Gunther is bleeding from the mouth. Gunther boots Sheamus back, but Sheamus comes back with a big powerslam. Sheamus sets up for a Brogue Kick, but Gunther rolls to the apron. Sheamus goes for the 10 Beats of the Bodhran, but Gunther blocks it. Sheamus punches him and goes to the apron. Sheamus goes to suplex him on the apron, but Gunther blocks it. Gunther viciously chops the chest and shoves Sheamus into the ring post. Gunther bounces Sheamus off an exposed turnbuckle connector before pulling him into it. Sheamus falls to the floor. Sheamus’ chest is beet red.
After taking a few moments to recover, Gunther gets Sheamus in the ring and hits an uppercut. Sheamus gets to his feet, and they exchange vicious blows. Gunther quickly applies a sleeper hold and takes him down. Gunther rolls Sheamus on his stomach and gets on his back. Sheamus manages to power up with Gunther on his back! Gunther gets off and chops the chest. Sheamus rocks him with a forearm, so Gunther chops him. They trade chops and forearms before Gunther hits a German Suplex!
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the final break of the evening to see Gunther holding Sheamus’ arm and viciously chopping him. Sheamus wildly fights back, so Gunther applies a sleeper hold. Sheamus back Gunther to the corner and viciously elbows away at him. Sheamus kicks and clubs away at him. Gunther rolls to the apron. Sheamus’ chest is a bloody mess. Sheamus sizes him up and hits the devastating 10 Beats of the Bodhran. Sheamus puts him on the middle rope and does it again! Now he’s on the bottom rope and does it again. That’s 30 vicious forearm blows to Gunther’s chest! Sheamus avalanches him in the corner and scoops him up. Sheamus climbs the ropes and hits White Noise off the second rope for a near fall! Wow!
The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Indeed, it is. Sheamus goes for a Cloverleaf, but Gunther fights out of it. Gunther hits a big dropkick and connects with a Powerbomb. Gunther covers, but Sheamus kicks out! Gunther is in disbelief. Gunther rolls Sheamus onto his front and drops a knee on the neck. Gunther goes to the top rope and hits a diving splash to the back of the neck. Gunther covers, but Sheamus just barely kicks out!
Gunther shouts for Sheamus to get up. Sheamus charges, but Gunther sidesteps a Brogue Kick. Sheamus hits an Irish Curse Backbreaker and applies a Cloverleaf. Gunther looks like he tapped out, but the referee says it was him clawing for the bottom rope. Sheamus argues with the referee, and the crowd is booing. Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser run down to cheer Gunther on. The Brawling Brutes run down and brawl with them. In the ring, Sheamus pulls Gunther up to his feet. Gunther chops Sheamus, so Sheamus responds with a vicious knee to the face. Gunther has a shillelagh and hits Sheamus with a lariat while holding it for the victory!
Winner by Pinfall and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther
Replays show Ludwig Kaiser handing the shillelagh to Gunther. The Brawling Brutes continue to brawl with Imperium. Gunther stands tall as the show comes to an end.
Quick Match Results
— Solo Sikoa def. Ricochet
— Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez def. Sonya Deville and Xia Li
— The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) and Braun Strowman def. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Sami Zayn
— Gunther def. Sheamus to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
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